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Iowa City highlights HERS grant winners as program gains momentum
Summary
City staff and partners celebrated the Home Energy Rating System grant program launched in June; one home scored a 32 (well below the 52 threshold), and builders said the small grant helps offset costs for electrification and efficiency measures.
Iowa City — The council welcomed a presentation about the Iowa City Climate Action Office’s Home Energy Rating System (HERS) grant program on Dec. 10, 2024, and honored builders whose projects qualified for awards this year.
Sarah Gardner, the city’s climate and outreach coordinator, described a program developed with builders, realtors, energy raters and inspection staff to incentivize homebuilding above current Iowa state code. Gardner said the program sets a qualifying HERS threshold of 52, which the city equates to roughly 20% greater efficiency than state code, and that every point in the HERS score represents about 1% efficiency.
Gardner noted two Parade of Homes entries exceeded expectations: one housing fellowship student project scored 46 and Advantage Homes scored 43. She also announced that Steven Christopher of ICH achieved the best score in 2024 with a HERS rating of 32. Christopher said the result required planning and that the grant “helped supplement some of the extra work.” He offered to assist other builders seeking to replicate his approach.
Gardner credited the Home Builders Association and named several builders who have engaged repeatedly with the program, including Navigate Homes and Bedrock Builders, and reported early momentum, including multiple repeat participants. Staff said the $1,800 award is small but has been sufficient in some cases to advance electrification goals.
What’s next: Staff will continue outreach to builders and realtors, publicize HERS scoring as an easily understood energy‑cost metric for buyers, and promote updated program signage and materials.
