At what HERS Index score is a home considered "net zero" energy?

A home is considered "net zero" energy when its energy production matches its energy consumption over the course of a year. This concept is directly linked to the HERS Index, which measures a home's energy efficiency relative to a reference home that has an index score of 100. A score of 0 indicates that the home is producing as much energy as it consumes, resulting in a net energy expenditure of zero. This can typically be achieved through a combination of high energy efficiency and renewable energy systems, such as solar panels.

In contrast, other HERS Index scores serve to indicate varying levels of energy efficiency. For example, a score of 100 signifies a standard home that is not energy-efficient, while negative scores indicate homes that are producing more energy than they consume, which can qualify them for the net zero designation. Therefore, a HERS Index score of 0 clearly represents the benchmark for a net zero energy home.