• Who is Pearl?
    Pearl is a certified B-Corp that has established the national standard for rating home performance. We measure all aspects of a home's performance — safety, comfort, operational efficiency, resilience, and energy management — and provide homeowners with actionable insights on what's most important to them, whether they're buying, selling, or renovating.
  • 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 0-1000, 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 92 million to date. You can look yours up for free at https://registry.pearlscore.com. If you are having trouble finding your Pearl SCORE™, contact us at [email protected].
  • What’s the difference between a claimed and unclaimed home?
    Claimed homes have been updated and verified by the owner. Unclaimed homes use public and synthetic data only.
  • How can I improve my Pearl SCORE™?
    The fastest and easiest way is to simply claim your home and update its information. The Pearl App will also guide you, explaining which upgrades will increase your score. To learn more about home upgrades that can improve the performance of your home, download the free Pearl app at www.app.pearlscore.com
  • How do I claim my home?
    Search for your home on the Pearl Home Performance Registry, 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 system was developed by the nation’s leading experts in building science, data modeling, and home performance in cooperation with partners like Energy Star, the U.S. Deptartment of Energy, the National Association of Realtors, and the Appraisal Institute, to name a few.
  • 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 can be years out of date, giving lenders, insurers, and buyers an incomplete picture of your home. Pearl lets you set the record straight by correcting outdated information and updating your Pearl SCORE™—so the market sees your home's true performance and value.
  • 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 vast majority of U.S. homes are not high-performing - meaning they score less than 500 points. The average U.S. home scores around 250.
  • 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 Energy Star or LEED?
    Home Energy Score focuses mostly on new homes and mostly on energy. Pearl SCORE™ rates new and existing homes of all ages. Pearl SCORE™ also includes energy assessment, but it includes a wider range of other performance features.
  • 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, click [here] or open the Pearl App and select “Claim My Home.”
  • Can I update my home’s SCORE?
    Yes. By claiming your home and verifying its features, you can update your data and improve the accuracy of your Pearl SCORE™.
  • 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, upgrade suggestions, and access to Pearl reports.
  • How does Pearl help when selling a home?
    Pearl makes sure your home’s performance features don’t go unnoticed. Your Home Performance Report includes an Appraisal Addendum that helps appraisers recognize and value your home’s high-performing features. You’ll also receive a Listing Package with your certification level, professional graphics, and key talking points to help your agent showcase your home in the best light. To leverage Pearl for your sale, claim your home in the Pearl App and request your Home Performance Report. It’s the easiest way to document your home’s quality and stand out in the market.