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HERS Rating Company Massachusetts certified energy rater performing blower door test new construction
HERS Rating, New Construction

HERS Rating for Cambridge MA Builders: Requirements & Pricing 2026

HERS Rating for Cambridge, MA Builders: 2026 Requirements Cambridge, MA requires the Specialized Stretch Code — the most stringent tier of Massachusetts energy code. This requires a HERS score of 42 or below, blower door of 2.0 ACH50 or less, and duct leakage under 4%. HERS Rating Company manages full Specialized Stretch Code compliance for Cambridge projects. Cambridge HERS Pricing Single-family: $1,850–$2,500. Multifamily: $650–$1,200 per unit. ADU: $1,600–$1,850. Call 617-584-1809 for a free Cambridge quote. Nearby Cambridge Service Areas Somerville | Boston | Watertown | Newton | Arlington Related Articles What is a Blower Door Test? Massachusetts New Construction Guide 2026 Duct Leakage Testing for New Construction Massachusetts: 2026 Guide Mass Save Rebates 2026: How Massachusetts Builders Maximize Incentives

HERS Rating Company Massachusetts certified energy rater performing blower door test new construction
HERS Rating

How Long Does a HERS Rating Take in Massachusetts? Timeline Guide

How Long Does a HERS Rating Take in Massachusetts? The HERS Rating timeline in Massachusetts: plan review (1–3 business days), construction phase (no HERS visits needed), blower door + duct test (1–2 hours on site after drywall), final HERS certificate (1–2 business days). Total: 2–4 weeks from plan submission to certificate. How to Speed Up Your HERS Rating Engage HERS Rating Company at the design phase, schedule testing during construction, ensure air sealing and duct sealing are complete before the test. Rush turnaround available. Call 617-584-1809. HERS Rating Scheduling Across Massachusetts HERS Rating Massachusetts — All 351 Cities → Related Articles What is a Blower Door Test? Massachusetts New Construction Guide 2026 Duct Leakage Testing for New Construction Massachusetts: 2026 Guide Mass Save Rebates 2026: How Massachusetts Builders Maximize Incentives

HERS Rating Company Massachusetts certified energy rater performing blower door test new construction
HERS Rating, New Construction

ADU Energy Rating Massachusetts: What Builders Need to Know in 2026

ADU Energy Rating Massachusetts: Builder’s Guide 2026 Every new ADU in a MA Stretch Code municipality requires a HERS Rating for energy code compliance. HERS Rating Company specializes in ADU energy ratings: $1,600–$1,850 per unit. ADU Energy Code Requirements in Massachusetts ADUs need: a RESNET-certified HERS Rating, blower door test (3.0 ACH50 or less), and duct leakage test (under 4%) in Stretch Code municipalities. HERS Rating Company manages full ADU compliance. ADU HERS Rating Costs $1,600–$1,850 per ADU — includes plan review, energy modeling, blower door test, duct leakage test, and HERS certificate. Popular ADU Locations Boston | Cambridge | Somerville | Brookline. Call 617-584-1809. Related Articles HERS Rating for Cambridge MA Builders: Requirements & Pricing 2026 What is a Blower Door Test? Massachusetts New Construction Guide 2026 MA Stretch Code 2021 Municipality List: Is Your City Required?

HERS Rating Company Massachusetts certified energy rater performing blower door test new construction
Duct Leakage Testing, New Construction

Duct Leakage Testing for New Construction Massachusetts: 2026 Guide

Duct Leakage Testing for New Construction in Massachusetts 2026 Duct leakage testing is required for all new construction with forced air HVAC systems in Massachusetts Stretch Code municipalities. HERS Rating Company performs duct leakage testing across all 351 MA cities. Massachusetts Duct Leakage Standard The MA Stretch Code 2021 requires total duct leakage of less than 4% of design airflow (at 25 Pascals). Ducts must be carefully sealed at all connections, boots, and air handler cabinets. What Happens During a Duct Leakage Test? All supply and return registers are sealed. A calibrated fan pressurizes the duct system to 25 Pascals. Airflow required to maintain pressure is measured and compared to total design airflow. If ducts fail, corrections are made and HERS Rating Company retests. Duct Testing Locations Boston | Worcester | Cambridge | All 351 MA Cities →. Call 617-584-1809. Related Articles HERS Rating for Cambridge MA Builders: Requirements & Pricing 2026 What is a Blower Door Test? Massachusetts New Construction Guide 2026 MA Stretch Code 2021 Municipality List: Is Your City Required?

HERS Rating Company Massachusetts certified energy rater performing blower door test new construction
MA Stretch Code, New Construction

MA Stretch Code 2021 Municipality List: Is Your City Required?

MA Stretch Code 2021: Which Massachusetts Cities Have Adopted It? Over 270 Massachusetts municipalities have adopted the MA Stretch Code 2021, making it the de facto standard for new construction across most of the state. This guide helps builders determine whether their project location requires Stretch Code compliance. Major Massachusetts Cities with MA Stretch Code 2021 The following major cities have adopted the MA Stretch Code 2021: Boston, Worcester, Springfield, Cambridge, Lowell, Newton, Brookline, Somerville, Framingham, Haverhill, Waltham, Malden, Medford, Weymouth, Peabody, Salem, Brockton, Quincy, Beverly, Marlborough, Woburn, Braintree, Watertown, Shrewsbury, Chelmsford, Gloucester, Northampton, Plymouth, Pittsfield, and hundreds more. How to Verify Your Municipality’s Energy Code Check the Massachusetts Board of Building Regulations and Standards (BBRS) website, or call your local building department. HERS Rating Company will confirm your municipality’s requirements for free — call 617-584-1809. What If My City Hasn’t Adopted the Stretch Code? If your municipality uses only the Base Energy Code (IECC 2021), you still need blower door testing and energy modeling, but a HERS Rating may be submitted as an alternative compliance path. HERS Rating Company handles compliance under all Massachusetts energy code tiers. Get Started with MA Stretch Code Compliance Serving all 351 Massachusetts cities: Boston, Worcester, Cambridge, Newton, Framingham. See all cities → Related Articles HERS Rating for Cambridge MA Builders: Requirements & Pricing 2026 Mass Save Rebates 2026: How Massachusetts Builders Maximize Incentives What is a Blower Door Test? Massachusetts New Construction Guide 2026

HERS Rating Company Massachusetts certified energy rater performing blower door test new construction
Energy Efficiency, HERS Rating

HERS Rating vs Energy Star Certification: Which Do You Need in Massachusetts?

HERS Rating vs ENERGY STAR: Which Do Massachusetts Builders Need? Many Massachusetts builders ask: do I need a HERS Rating, ENERGY STAR certification, or both? This guide clarifies the difference and when each is required for new construction in Massachusetts. What is a HERS Rating? A HERS Rating is a numeric score (lower = more efficient) required for new construction energy code compliance in Massachusetts. It is mandatory in all MA Stretch Code municipalities. A RESNET-certified rater like HERS Rating Company performs the rating, including blower door and duct leakage tests. What is ENERGY STAR for New Homes? ENERGY STAR for New Homes is a voluntary certification program administered by the EPA. Homes must achieve a HERS score of 57 or below (v3.2) and meet additional requirements. ENERGY STAR certification is not required by Massachusetts code but can qualify for Mass Save rebates and is a marketing differentiator for builders. Do I Need Both in Massachusetts? Most Massachusetts builders need only a HERS Rating for code compliance. ENERGY STAR is optional but valuable for marketing and additional rebates. HERS Rating Company can help with both — our HERS Rating process naturally positions most homes for ENERGY STAR certification. Call 617-584-1809 for a free consultation. HERS Rating Company’s Massachusetts Services HERS Rating → | Blower Door Testing → | Duct Leakage Testing → | MA Stretch Code 2021 → Related Articles What is a Blower Door Test? Massachusetts New Construction Guide 2026 Duct Leakage Testing for New Construction Massachusetts: 2026 Guide Mass Save Rebates 2026: How Massachusetts Builders Maximize Incentives

HERS Rating Company Massachusetts certified energy rater performing blower door test new construction
Blower Door Testing, New Construction

What is a Blower Door Test? Massachusetts New Construction Guide 2026

What is a Blower Door Test? Massachusetts New Construction Guide 2026 A blower door test is a diagnostic tool used to measure the air tightness of new construction buildings in Massachusetts. It is required for all new residential construction in MA Stretch Code municipalities and is a critical component of the HERS Rating process. How Does a Blower Door Test Work? A certified technician installs a calibrated fan in an exterior door frame and depressurizes the home to 50 Pascals below outdoor pressure. The amount of airflow required to maintain that pressure is measured in cubic feet per minute (CFM50). This number is then converted to ACH50 (air changes per hour at 50 Pascals) based on the home’s volume. What is the MA Stretch Code 2021 Blower Door Standard? New homes in Massachusetts must achieve 3.0 ACH50 or less to comply with the MA Stretch Code 2021. The Specialized Stretch Code requires 2.0 ACH50 or less. Highly efficient homes often achieve 1.0–1.5 ACH50. The old IECC 2018 standard was 3.0 ACH50 — the 2021 code maintained this requirement. How to Prepare for a Blower Door Test in Massachusetts For best results: complete all air sealing before the test, seal all penetrations around pipes and wires, install window and door jamb extensions, seal top plates and rim joists, and address any known draft areas. HERS Rating Company provides pre-test consultation to help builders maximize their first-test pass rate. Blower Door Testing Across Massachusetts HERS Rating Company performs blower door testing in all 351 Massachusetts cities. Popular locations: Boston, Worcester, Cambridge, Newton, Brookline. Call 617-584-1809 for scheduling. Related Articles HERS Rating for Cambridge MA Builders: Requirements & Pricing 2026 How Long Does a HERS Rating Take in Massachusetts? Timeline Guide Duct Leakage Testing for New Construction Massachusetts: 2026 Guide

HERS Rating Company Massachusetts certified energy rater performing blower door test new construction
HERS Rating, New Construction

HERS Rating for New Construction in Springfield, MA: Complete Guide

HERS Rating for New Construction in Springfield, MA Springfield, MA builders need a HERS Rating for all new residential construction under the MA Stretch Code 2021. HERS Rating Company provides RESNET-certified HERS Ratings throughout Hampden County and the greater Springfield area. MA Stretch Code Requirements in Springfield Springfield has adopted the MA Stretch Code 2021, requiring: a RESNET-certified HERS Rating (target score of 55 or below), a blower door test (3.0 ACH50 or less), a duct leakage test (under 4%), and R-49 attic insulation minimum. HERS Rating Company manages the full compliance process for Springfield builders. Springfield HERS Rating Pricing Single-family: $1,850–$2,500. Multifamily: $650–$1,200 per unit. ADU: $1,600–$1,850. We offer competitive pricing for high-volume builders with multiple active projects in Springfield and Hampden County. Service Areas Near Springfield We also serve: Chicopee, Holyoke, Westfield, Agawam, East Longmeadow, and all Hampden County cities. Call 617-584-1809 for a free Springfield quote. Related Articles What is a Blower Door Test? Massachusetts New Construction Guide 2026 Duct Leakage Testing for New Construction Massachusetts: 2026 Guide Mass Save Rebates 2026: How Massachusetts Builders Maximize Incentives

HERS Rating Company Massachusetts certified energy rater performing blower door test new construction
HERS Rating, New Construction

HERS Rating Requirements for Worcester, MA New Construction 2026

HERS Rating Requirements for Worcester, MA New Construction 2026 Worcester, MA is one of the largest cities in Massachusetts and has adopted the MA Stretch Code 2021, making a certified HERS Rating mandatory for all new residential construction. This guide covers everything Worcester builders need to know about HERS Rating requirements in 2026. Is a HERS Rating Required in Worcester, MA? Yes. Worcester has adopted the MA Stretch Code 2021, which requires a RESNET-certified HERS Rating for all new single-family and multifamily construction. The HERS Rating must be completed by a certified rater like HERS Rating Company before the building department will issue a certificate of occupancy. What Tests Are Required With a HERS Rating in Worcester? In Worcester, the full HERS Rating compliance package includes: a pre-construction plan review and energy model, a blower door test (must pass 3.0 ACH50 or less), a duct leakage test (must be under 4% of total system airflow), and a final HERS certificate. HERS Rating Company handles all of these for Worcester builders. HERS Rating Costs in Worcester, MA HERS Rating Company’s pricing for Worcester projects: Single-family $1,850–$2,500 | Multifamily $650–$1,200 per unit | ADU $1,600–$1,850. Call 617-584-1809 for a free Worcester project quote. How to Schedule a HERS Rating in Worcester Contact HERS Rating Company at 617-584-1809 or contact us online. We recommend scheduling your plan review at the design phase — early energy modeling helps catch compliance issues before construction begins, saving time and money. Related Worcester Energy Services HERS Rating Worcester MA | Blower Door Testing Worcester MA | Duct Leakage Testing Worcester MA | Stretch Code Worcester MA Related Articles What is a Blower Door Test? Massachusetts New Construction Guide 2026 Duct Leakage Testing for New Construction Massachusetts: 2026 Guide Mass Save Rebates 2026: How Massachusetts Builders Maximize Incentives

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