Your HERS Score is a numerical measure of your home’s energy efficiency. The lower the score, the more energy-efficient the home. Whether you’re a builder, architect, homeowner, or buyer, understanding your score helps you make informed decisions about energy use, comfort, and code compliance.
Learn how your score is calculated, what influences it, and how Energy Geeks helps improve it.
What Your HERS Score Means
The HERS Index compares your home to a reference home:
- 100 = Standard new home
- 80 = 20% more efficient
- 50 = 50% more efficient
- 0 = Net-zero home
New homes built in MA and RI typically fall in the 45–60 range, depending on construction quality and code requirements.
See the full rating process: The HERS Rating Process
What Affects Your Score
- Insulation & Envelope - Envelope performance is verified during the rough inspection stage. Learn more in What Is a HERS Rating?
- Air Leakage - Measured with a Blower Door Test:Blower Door Testing
- Duct Leakage - Measured separately to determine distribution efficiency: Duct Leakage Testing
- HVAC Systems - Efficiency ratings directly affect the model.
- Windows, Doors & Ventilation - Performance values and installation quality matter.
- Appliances - Energy Star appliances may help to lower a home’s HERS score.
Cold-Climate Sensitivity
In Massachusetts and Rhode Island, cold-weather conditions place added demands on overall home performance, making energy efficiency especially important. Extended heating seasons magnify the impact of air leakage, increase the importance of insulation quality, and place greater emphasis on properly sized, high-efficiency HVAC systems. Duct leakage losses also become more pronounced, as inefficiencies directly affect comfort and energy use throughout the winter months.
These regional cold-climate factors are fully accounted for within HERS modeling software, ensuring results that accurately reflect New England’s climate and support reliable code compliance and performance outcomes.
Why Your Score Matters
A stronger HERS score helps demonstrate compliance with Massachusetts Stretch Code requirements or Rhode Island’s 2024 IECC, while also supporting eligibility for Mass Save and Rhode Island RNC and R&A incentive programs. Beyond code and incentives, improved performance translates into greater comfort, enhanced building durability, and lower heating and cooling costs. Over time, these benefits can also contribute to improved property value and long-term efficiency outcomes.
Learn compliance requirements: Code Compliance in MA & RI
How Energy Geeks Improves Your Score
Energy Geeks supports your HERS score through a coordinated process from start to finish. We use energy modeling to evaluate performance early, provide recommendations during the design and construction phases, and complete blower door and duct leakage testing to confirm results in the field. We then manage final verification and certification and assist with incentive program documentation to keep projects compliant and moving forward.
Related Pages
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