• Who is Pearl?
    Pearl is an independent standards and ratings organization and Certified B Corporation. We measure all aspects of a home's performance — safety, comfort, operations, resilience, and energy — and measure all aspects of a home's performance and provide a standardized rating across safety, comfort, operational efficiency, resilience, and energy management
  • What is the Pearl SCORE™?
    It’s an easy-to-understand score that analyzes over 700 data points to score every home's performance across Safety, Comfort, Operations, Resilience, and Energy. Scores range from 1-1000, with higher scores indicating better performance. Update your information anytime to ensure your score reflects your home's true value.
  • How does Pearl calculate the SCORE™?
    We use public data, advanced modeling, and homeowner-verified information to estimate how a home performs. Climate zones also play an important role. Certain home features will influence a home’s Pearl SCORE™ more than others, depending on the home’s geographical location.
  • Is Pearl SCORE™ available for every home in the U.S.?
    Pearl has scored every single-family home in the US, nearly 97 million to date. You can look yours up for free inside the free Pearl app. If you are having trouble finding your Pearl SCORE™, contact us at [email protected].
  • What’s the difference between a claimed and unclaimed home?
    Unclaimed homes reflect what is currently known from public records. Claimed homes include additional owner-verified details.
  • How can I complete my home's performance story?
    The fastest and easiest way is to simply claim your home and update its information. Pearl app will help you complete your home's performance story by adding missing information. To learn more about home upgrades that can improve the performance of your home, download the free Pearl app.
  • How do I claim my home?
    Search your home address inside Pearl app, create a free account, and follow the steps to verify your home's features.
  • How does Pearl make money?
    We offer paid reports, improvement plans, and tools for homeowners, contractors, and real estate agents.
  • What does the house icon next to the Pearl SCORE™ mean?
    It means the home has been claimed and verified by the owner.
  • What is the operating cost comparison?
    It is a value that shows how a home’s estimated monthly energy costs compare to similar homes in the area.
  • Why is the operating cost comparison different for homes with the same Pearl SCORE™?
    Because energy costs depend on fuel type, local rates, home size, and other variables, not just the performance score.
  • What are achievements?
    Achievements provide a quick overview of a home’s performance features. This includes performance certifications and notable features in the home that improve its performance.
  • What does Pearl Certification mean?
    Pearl Certification is an achievement based on a home’s overall performance. It means this home has met the standards and thresholds Pearl has identified as a high-performance home and has had its high-performing features documented by Pearl via a Pearl Certification. Any home that scores above 500 can apply for certification in the Pearl App.
  • What are merit badges?
    Merit badges are achievements that acknowledge a home’s high-performing features. The current merit badges offered are the Electrification Badge and the Solar Badge. You can learn more about these badges at www.pearlscore.com/the-certification-system.
  • What are the five pillars of home performance?
    Pearl defines home performance through five pillars—Safety, Comfort, Operations, Resilience, and Energy. Each pillar represents a key dimension of how your home functions day to day, from protecting your family’s health and comfort to ensuring efficient, reliable operation in every season.
  • How are the five pillars of home performance measured?
    Using a mix of public data, homeowner input, and modeling to assess features that affect each area.
  • What makes Pearl qualified to rate my home?
    Pearl's methodology was developed by leading building science experts in partnership with organizations like Energy Star, the U.S. Department of Energy, and the National Association of Realtors.
  • How accurate is Pearl’s data?
    Pearl SCORE™ is the most accurate standardized measure of home performance in the U.S. It draws on trusted public records, advanced modeling, and owner-verified inputs to deliver reliable, transparent scores. Public records contain your home's performance data, but it's scattered across different sources. Pearl organizes this into one clear picture. Pearl lets you set the record straight by correcting outdated information and updating your Pearl SCORE™—so your home's current features are accurately reflected in its performance profile.
  • Is the Pearl SCORE™ government-backed?
    No, but it aligns with national standards and is recognized by major industry groups and government organizations.
  • Is Pearl independent, or are you paid by third parties?
    Pearl is a fully independent standards organization. We don’t take payments to influence scores or promote specific brands.
  • What does Pearl’s B-Corporation status mean?
    Being a Certified B Corporation reflects our commitment to use business as a force for good—building long-term value for home buyers, homeowners, and the communities we serve. You can learn more about B Corporations at https://www.bcorporation.net/en-us/.
  • Have any organizations endorsed Pearl SCORE™?
    Yes. Pearl works in partnership with the U.S. Department of Energy who is trusted by major utilities, contractors, and real estate professionals nationwide. Pearl also works with the National Association of Realtors and the Appraisal Institute as well as ENERGY STAR Home Upgrade.
  • Are there measures in place to prevent someone from gaming the system to boost their score?
    Yes—high-impact items must be verified with documentation like photos, model numbers, or third-party validation.
  • What is the average Pearl SCORE™?
    The average U.S. home scores around 250 which falls in the "Typical" range. 
  • Why are most scores below 500?
    The average age of a U.S. home is 38 years old. These homes were built before modern performance standards were developed or included in building codes. However, the right upgrades can significantly increase the performance of these older homes.
  • Are scores ranked on a bell curve?
    No. Pearl SCORE™ is based on objective performance benchmarks—not how homes compare to each other.
  • How is Pearl different from Home Energy Score, a HERS rating, LEED or other home energy labels and certifications?

    Home Energy Score and HERS ratings are focused on evaluating a home’s energy efficiency. LEED takes a more holistic approach in terms of how it assesses the features of a home. Pearl SCORE™ is unique in that it rates new and existing homes of all ages, and provides visibility into all dimensions of home performance, including safety (S), comfort (C), operations (O), resilience (R), and energy (E). Pearl’s Home Performance Reports, which include the Pearl SCORE and an unofficial Home Energy Score. If an official Home Energy Score has been completed, it can be displayed in place of the unofficial one. Pearl Home Performance reports also highlight HERS ratings and other scores and certifications if they are available to ensure these achievements are properly valued.

  • Where does Pearl get its data?
    From public records, utility data (where available), and homeowner-verified inputs. Pearl also receives data from contractors, real estate agents or other professionals who provide data on behalf of the homeowner.
  • What data does Pearl collect from homeowners?
    Information about heating & cooling systems, appliances, insulation, solar, and other features—plus photos of these items or documents for verification.
  • What happens to my previous Pearl Certification under this new scoring system?
    Pearl Certifications issued before October, 2025 were primarily focused on energy. These certificates are still valid and remain a trusted signal of quality. However, the new Pearl SCORE™ uses a broader set of performance criteria, so certifications issued after this date have different requirements than in the past.
  • How does Pearl use data about my home?
    Pearl uses your home’s data to deliver more accurate performance scores and personalized recommendations. Aggregated and anonymized data from all homes helps us continually refine our scoring models—and contributes to broader insights that advance the home-performance industry as a whole.
  • What if my home is already claimed by the previous owner?
    Homes can only be claimed by the current owner. If the previous owner claimed it, you can claim ownership of the home after the sale. To verify ownership and claim your home, visit Pearl app and select “Claim My Home.”
  • Can I update my home's performance profile?
    Yes. By claiming your home and verifying its features, you can update your data and provide a more complete picture of your home's performance features.
  • How often is the SCORE™ updated?
    Your Peart SCORE™ updates automatically when new data is added to the public record or verified by the homeowner or a trusted professional like a contractor, inspector, or real estate agent.
  • What benefits do I receive when I claim my home?
    You’ll unlock personalized insights, performance documentation and management tools, information on tax incentives and rebates, energy-saving tips, performance documentation and insights about your home's current features, and access to Pearl reports.