A Home Energy Rating System (HERS) Rating measures how efficiently a home uses energy. Developed by RESNET, the HERS Index compares a home’s performance to a reference home built to standard code. The result is a simple score that reflects energy use, airtightness, insulation quality, and mechanical system performance.
In Massachusetts and Rhode Island — where cold-climate construction matters — a HERS Rating is one of the most important benchmarks for meeting energy codes and qualifying for Mass Save and RI’s Residential New Construction Programs.
Why a HERS Rating Matters
A HERS Rating plays a critical role in both energy code compliance and long-term home performance. In Massachusetts and Rhode Island, a certified HERS Rating is often required to meet MA Stretch Code and Rhode Island’s 2024 IECC requirements, making it an essential step for new construction and major renovations.
Beyond compliance, a HERS Rating helps identify opportunities to lower heating and cooling costs while improving overall comfort. By measuring how efficiently a home uses energy, the rating highlights areas such as air leakage, insulation quality, and duct performance that can be improved to create more consistent indoor conditions.
A HERS Rating also supports participation in Mass Save and Rhode Island’s Residential New Construction (RNC) incentive programs, as well as green building certifications. Over time, this verified energy performance can contribute to increased property value by demonstrating efficiency, comfort, and lower operating costs to future buyers.
Learn what your score actually means on our Understanding Your HERS Score page.
How the HERS Index Works
- 100 = Standard new home (baseline)
- 50 = 50% more efficient
- 0 = Net-zero home
- Below 0 = Produces more energy than it uses
Typical MA homes built to Stretch Code score between 45–60.
Learn more about the factors that influence the score in
What Goes Into a HERS Score.
What Affects a HERS Score
- Insulation & Envelope - Blown-in, spray foam, attic, basement, and wall insulation levels are verified during the HERS Process.
- Air Leakage (Blower Door Test) - Learn how airtightness is measured:What Is a Blower Door Test?
- Duct Leakage (Duct Test) - See how duct systems affect ratings:What Is Duct Leakage Testing?
- HVAC & Water Heating - System type, efficiency, and design.
- Windows & Doors - U-factor, SHGC, and installation quality.
- Appliances - Energy Star appliances (refrigerator, dishwasher, washer) mau help to lower a home’s HERS score.
When You Need a HERS Rating
A HERS Rating is most commonly required for new construction, where state and municipal energy codes mandate verified performance testing and documentation. It is also frequently needed for major renovations, especially when projects involve additions, significant envelope changes, or new mechanical systems that trigger updated code requirements.
Many builders pursue a HERS Rating to support Energy Star or Zero Energy Ready Home (ZERH) certification, both of which rely on verified energy modeling and testing. In Massachusetts, a HERS Rating is often a core component of Stretch Code compliance, while in both Massachusetts and Rhode Island it plays a key role in determining eligibility for energy-efficiency incentives through utility and state programs.
Beyond construction and compliance, a HERS Rating can also be used for home appraisals and real estate listings, providing documented proof of energy performance, comfort, and efficiency for buyers and lenders.
See builder-specific details at - HERS for Builders & Architects.
What You Receive
- Certified HERS Index score
- RESNET-compliant documentation
- Blower Door and Duct Leakage Test results
- Code-compliance guidance & verification
- Recommendations for improving efficiency
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