Going solar is a great way to reduce your energy costs and lower your carbon footprint, but it’s important to determine whether it’s the right choice for you. Read How To Determine If Solar Panels Are Right For You to see if solar is an option for you this spring.
Building A New Home In Massachusetts Requires More Planning Now
All New homes in MA require a HERS Rating. Passing a HERS Rating in Massachusetts got a little harder starting this year and it will get even more difficult in 2024 and beyond. Fortunately, there are some steps you should consider to help assure a passing grade.
What is a HERS Rating
The Home Energy Rating System (HERS) is a way to ensure that the various features of a home meet Building Energy Efficiency Standards. A HERS Rater performs field verification and diagnostic testing on various components such as:
- the thermal envelope including insulation & air sealing
- mechanicals including ductwork leakage testing
- appliances
- and lighting.
If the home fails to achieve the minimum HERS Rating Score, the owner is required to fix the deficiencies before a Certificate of Occupancy can be issued.
When are HERS Ratings Required?
- Most cities and towns in Massachusetts require a HERS Rating for new homes or major remodels.
- Rhode Island currently has no HERS requirements. However, many builders take advantage of the no-cost RNC (Residential New Construction) Program offered by the utility provider. This program offers energy modeling, field verification, diagnostic testing and documentation at no-cost.
Did You Know: There are about thirty-nine and a half inches in a meter.
New Products: What’s A Swidget?
Image Source: panasonic.com
Panasonic has created a simple yet robust ventilation strategy to help deliver healthy homes. Swidget smart controls and mobile app pairs with Panasonic ventilation products to monitor, detect and auto-activate the proper fan when unhealthy air and moisture are detected. Removing harmful contaminants ensures homeowners breathe the highest quality air around the clock.
Monitor. Detect. Auto-activate. It’s that simple and effective.
Here at Energy Geeks we have high hopes for products like this
Common Household Problems-Ice Damming
Spring into action so that your home is ready for next winter. Ice dams are common throughout the Northeast. The necessary ingredients for ice damming to occur are heat, seeping into the attic from the living space below, cold air from outside, and snow. Read more at Are Ice Dams Common in the Northeast?
ON BEING POSITIVE:
“If you’re positive you can get through it OK. When you think negatively, you’re putting poison on your body. Just smile. They say laughter is the best medicine there is.”
Elsa Bailey, athlete, 100 years old
Who we are: We are HERS Raters. We are trained and certified in the latest testing technology.
What we do: We perform Energy Modeling, HERS Ratings and Blower Door and Duct Leakage testing.
HERS Rater# 4644400 BPI#506 1231
