A Home Energy Rating System (HERS) Rating follows a structured, standardized process designed to evaluate your home’s energy performance accurately and consistently. At Energy Geeks, we work with builders, architects, renovators, and homeowners across Massachusetts and Rhode Island to deliver reliable, code-compliant HERS Ratings from start to finish.
Each step in the process—from preliminary modeling to Blower Door and Duct Leakage Testing—directly influences your final HERS Score. Our approach aligns with RESNET standards and the requirements outlined in MA 780 CMR, the Massachusetts Stretch Code, and Rhode Island’s 2024 IECC.
Why the HERS Process Matters
A home’s energy efficiency can only be measured accurately when the process is followed correctly from the start. This begins with early plan review, allowing energy modeling assumptions to align with the actual design before construction decisions are locked in. As the project moves forward, inspections at critical construction stages ensure that insulation, air sealing, and mechanical systems are installed as intended—not just specified on paper.
Accurate results also depend on properly performed blower door and duct leakage testing, since airtightness and duct performance have a direct impact on energy use and comfort. All collected data is then incorporated into RESNET-certified energy modeling software, which produces a reliable and defensible HERS Index.
Our structured approach ensures that every factor influencing your final HERS Score is fully verified, documented, and aligned with state code and program requirements.
Learn more about what your score means on our
Understanding Your HERS Score page.
Step-by-Step HERS Rating Process
Step 1: Plans Review & Preliminary Modeling
We begin by reviewing construction plans, insulation specifications, and mechanical system details. Using RESNET-approved software, we create a preliminary model that identifies opportunities to improve efficiency and reduce your eventual HERS Score.
Learn how the HERS Index works:
What Is a HERS Rating?
Step 2: Rough (Pre-Drywall) Inspection
Before drywall is installed, our team verifies:
- Insulation levels and installation quality
- Framing details that affect thermal performance
- Window and door values
- Duct layout and sealing
This step directly affects multiple scoring variables listed in the
What Goes Into a HERS Score content.
Step 3: Blower Door Test
A Blower Door Test measures whole-house airtightness—a major driver of comfort, efficiency, and HERS performance. Results from this test directly influence your HERS Rating and determine whether the home meets MA & RI ACH50 thresholds.
Learn more:
What Is a Blower Door Test?
Step 4: Duct Leakage Test
Duct Leakage Testing measures how efficiently conditioned air moves through the home’s duct system. High leakage increases energy loss and negatively affects HERS performance. Passing CFM25 thresholds is required under MA 780 CMR and RI’s 2024 IECC.
Details here:
What Is Duct Leakage Testing?
Step 5: Final Inspection
Once construction is complete, we verify:
- Installed HVAC and mechanical equipment
- Ventilation systems
- Window & door efficiency labels
- Final insulation levels
- Mechanical room setup and accessibility
- EV Ready requirements
- Appliances
This inspection ensures compliance with regional energy codes and confirms the final specifications entered into your rating model.
Step 6: Final HERS Score & Certification
Once inspections and testing are complete, we update the energy model using verified field data from your project. This ensures that the final results accurately reflect how the home was built—not just how it was designed.
You’ll receive a certified HERS Index Score, along with documented blower door and duct leakage test results that confirm airtightness and system performance. We also provide RESNET-compliant documentation and all reports required by local building officials to demonstrate energy code compliance.
For projects participating in incentive programs, we confirm eligibility for Rhode Island and Mass Save Residential New Construction (RNC) and Renovation & Addition (R&A) incentives, ensuring your documentation aligns with program requirements and submission standards.
Learn how incentives connect to your rating:
RI and Mass Save RNC and R&A Integration
Requirements in MA & RI
Both states enforce current energy codes requiring verification of:
- Blower door airtightness thresholds
- Duct leakage limits
- Mechanical ventilation compliance
- Equipment efficiency ratings
- HERS performance-based targets
See full code details on
Code Compliance in MA & RI.
What Builders & Homeowners Receive
At the completion of the HERS process, builders and homeowners receive a certified HERS Index, providing an official, third-party verification of the home’s energy performance. This score is supported by full RESNET energy model documentation, which reflects verified field conditions and testing results.
You’ll also receive detailed blower door and duct leakage test results, confirming airtightness and HVAC distribution performance. For projects in Massachusetts and Rhode Island, we provide code-compliance reports suitable for submission to local building departments, ensuring a smooth inspection and approval process.
If opportunities exist to further improve performance, we include recommendations to improve your HERS Score, helping guide future efficiency upgrades or adjustments when needed.
Builders can explore additional support here:
HERS for Builders & Architects
Related Services
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Schedule your HERS Rating and our certified team will guide you through every step.
