Why Comparing ERMI Scores to Other People’s Results Made Things Harder (And How I Stopped)
Other homes’ numbers felt like a benchmark — until I realized each space is unique.
When I first looked at ERMI scores from other people’s homes, I thought it would help me understand my own.
Higher than theirs? I panicked. Lower? I doubted the results.
It quickly became a source of confusion instead of reassurance.
I was measuring my space against someone else’s story, not my own.
This didn’t mean the data was wrong — it meant comparison was misleading.
Why I Felt the Need to Compare
After months of uncertainty, I wanted a reference point.
I thought seeing other scores would help me understand what “normal” looked like.
I hoped comparison would provide clarity, but it created more questions.
This didn’t mean my desire for context was wrong — it meant I was looking for guidance in the wrong place.
Why Comparison Can Be Misleading
Every home is different: construction, age, ventilation, cleaning habits, and occupancy all affect ERMI scores.
What is normal for one home may be unusual for another.
Numbers from other spaces don’t automatically translate to your environment.
This helped me stop measuring my home against benchmarks that weren’t relevant.
How I Learned to Focus on My Own Data
Once I stopped checking other scores, I started paying attention to patterns in my own space over time.
ERMI became a baseline for tracking trends rather than a comparison game.
Context comes from your own home, not someone else’s.
This shift reduced anxiety and allowed me to use the information constructively.
Why Letting Go of Comparison Matters
Comparison creates unnecessary stress and can make results feel worse than they are.
By focusing on my own patterns, I could interpret changes accurately and calmly.
Trusting your own data allows perspective to replace panic.
This was when ERMI stopped feeling like a benchmark I had to beat and started feeling like a tool I could use.
Questions I Had About Comparing ERMI Results
Is it helpful to compare ERMI scores with others?
In my experience, no. Every home is unique, so comparison can create unnecessary stress.
How should I interpret my scores instead?
Focus on trends and context within your own home over time.