Insulation Institute Blog

5-Million HERS®-Rated Homes and Counting

Residential Energy Services Network (RESNET®) recently announced an important milestone achievement: more than 5 million HERS-rated homes. It’s a massive number that reflects the organization’s momentum and impact on the energy-efficient homebuilding industry, but more than that, it’s a sign that builders and buyers value the energy performance rating, which is among the most recognized in the homebuilding industry.

This week, Insulation Institute delves into the HERS-score value proposition, why growth in HERS-rated homes should accelerate, and where the organization sees room to advance energy-efficient home building for a new generation of home buyers.

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New: Guide to Unvented Roofs for Conditioned Attics

Conditioned attics are becoming increasingly common in high-performance homes because they help improve comfort, energy efficiency, and HVAC performance. But building an unvented roof assembly correctly requires more than simply adding insulation at the roofline. Builders and contractors must understand how insulation, air sealing, moisture control, and ventilation strategies work together to avoid condensation and long-term durability problems.

That’s why the Insulation Institute’s guide, Unvented Roofs for Conditioned Attics: Solutions That Work, is such a valuable resource for construction professionals. The guide breaks down complex building science concepts into practical, jobsite-focused solutions that builders can actually use in the field.

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Three Stories Remind Us Why Energy Efficiency Still Matters

Energy efficiency rarely grabs headlines, but three recent stories show why it should.

At a time of rising energy costs, grid strain, geopolitical instability, and growing concern about public health, energy efficiency continues to deliver some of society’s biggest returns: lower bills, greater economic resilience, and cleaner air. These three stories make a compelling case that energy efficiency isn’t just an environmental goal – it’s one of America’s smartest economic and public health investments.

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New Fact Sheets Address Carbon Claims, Air Sealing Misconceptions

In the quest to decarbonize the built environment, architects, builders, and specifiers seek products that can help lower their environmental footprint. But in the rush to decarbonize, there is a risk of buying into overstated marketing claims that products are “carbon-negative.”

Our newly released fact sheet, Facts You Should Know About Cellulose and Wood Fiber Insulation Carbon Statements, examines some of the most common – and misleading – carbon claims about these products.

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EIA Data Show Significant Rise in Energy Insecurity

Every four to five years, the U.S. Department of Energy’s Energy Information Administration surveys American households about energy use and affordability. Preliminary results from the 2024 Residential Energy Consumption Survey (RECS) point to a notable increase in energy insecurity—a trend that policymakers, builders, and industry stakeholders cannot ignore.

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As Energy Demand Surges, Insulation Becomes Frontline Fix

The exploding U.S. energy demand, particularly for electricity driven by data centers, electrification, and broader economic activity, makes a compelling case for expanding insulation to manage consumption. The release this week of the Business Council for Sustainable Energy’s and Bloomberg NEF’s 2026 Sustainable Energy in America Factbook provides comprehensive year-over-year details and data-driven trends that only bolster the case for insulation to help manage the resulting impacts.

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Free Expert Guidance on Wall Assemblies

Moisture is involved in most building envelope performance problems, including mold growth, metal corrosion, and other material degradation. In fact, home repairs due to moisture-related issues cost an estimated $32B annually, according to the Federal Reserve Bank.

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