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What is a Duct Leakage Test In Case You Did Not Know: A Duct Leakage Test is a diagnostic test that measures the air tightness of an HVAC system. The primary reason to conduct a Duct Leakage Test is to evaluate the continuity and integrity of ductwork. Any improperly sealed or attached parts will adversely…

What is a Blower Door Test? In Case You Did Not Know: A blower door test is a diagnostic test that quantifies how much air moves in and out of a building. The primary reason to conduct a blower door test is to evaluate the continuity and integrity of the air barrier.  Air barriers are…

What is Prescriptive Based Energy Code Compliance? In a nutshell, builders are given a checklist of energy-related measures to follow. Check off all the boxes in the list and you should be in compliance. Although this pathway meets code requirements and delivers a home with at least average overall energy efficiency, it leaves little room…

Getting to a HERS Rating of 42 with Solar Carports and Solar Patio Covers How the new construction market copes with the ever-tightening Massachusetts Energy Code. Is it difficult to build a home in Massachusetts?  Consider this: The state of Massachusetts is trailblazing. Going places where no state has gone before. I’m referring to the…

The following article is about the HERS Rating should-do’s and must-do’s for RNC (Residential New Construction) Program Requirements applicable in Massachusetts, Rhode Island & Connecticut. We will also cover common errors made by homeowners builders. A HERS Rater’s Perspective There is a lot of confusion as to what is actually required for HERS Ratings to…

“To Recap” – What Is an All-Electric Home? An All-Electric Home is powered entirely by electricity, without any fossil fuels such as natural gas, propane or oil being used for space heating, hot water or cooking. These homes may or may not incorporate solar or other types of renewable energy generation. You can read the…