O is for Operations
How the Operations Pillar reflects energy and water efficiency
The Operations Pillar of the Pearl SCORE™ reflects how efficiently the home runs day to day. Most homes in the U.S. use more of these resources than necessary, which can lead to high utility bills and wasted energy.
The Operations Pillar rewards homes that include features designed to reduce energy and water consumption. These features may include:
- Energy-efficient heating and cooling systems
- High-performance insulation and air sealing
- Efficient appliances, lighting, and water fixtures
- Leak detection and water management systems
Homes that score well in Operations run more efficiently and comfortably.
Points in the Operations Pillar are based on several factors, including whether a feature meets a basic threshold, how efficient the feature is compared to alternatives, and whether it was installed according to industry best practices. For example, an ENERGY STAR® certified dishwasher earns more points than a standard model, and professionally sealed ductwork performs better than a leaky system.
The Pearl SCORE uses advanced energy modeling tools and national benchmarks to guide its scoring, including:
- International Energy Conservation Code (IECC)
- ENERGY STAR Residential New Construction
- ENERGY STAR Energy Efficient Products
- EPA WaterSense
- U.S. Energy Information Administration: Residential Energy Consumption Survey (RECS)