Blower Door Testing Manchester by-the-Sea, MA — Stretch Code HERS 42/45
Professional blower door air tightness testing in Manchester by-the-Sea, Massachusetts. RESNET-certified technicians providing fast, accurate results for MA Stretch Energy Code compliance and Mass Save eligibility.
Schedule a Test Call 617-584-18092026 Massachusetts Energy Code Facts — Manchester By The Sea
Manchester By The Sea enforces the Massachusetts Stretch Energy Code (225 CMR 22), adopted effective 1/1/2014. Under the 2025 code update (current for 2026 permits), new homes in Manchester By The Sea must reach a maximum HERS Index of 42 (mixed-fuel) or 45 (all-electric) — up to 48 with qualifying credits — verified by a RESNET-certified HERS rater. ADUs must meet HERS 52–58, and major alterations, additions or change-of-use projects HERS 65–75, depending on fuel type and on-site solar.
- Energy code status: Stretch Code (effective 1/1/2014) — 1 of 242 MA municipalities (as of the June 2026 Mass.gov adoption list).
- Required testing & verification: blower door (air infiltration) testing, duct leakage testing, balanced mechanical ventilation (ERV/HRV), plus EV-ready and solar-ready provisions on the HERS compliance path. New homes in Massachusetts (Climate Zone 5) must test at or below 3.0 ACH50 on the blower door test.
- Mass Save® 2026 new-construction incentives: up to $25,000 per all-electric single-family home (Passive House tier; $7,500 base tier, $15,000 ENERGY STAR® NextGen tier — HERS ≤45), up to $40,000 for a 4-unit building, up to $3,750/unit for 5+ unit multifamily, and up to $30,000 for major all-electric renovations. Every tier requires enrollment and verification by an approved HERS rating company.
Related Manchester By The Sea services: HERS Rating Manchester By The Sea · Duct Leakage Testing Manchester By The Sea · Stretch Code Compliance Manchester By The Sea · MA Energy Codes Guide — or get a free quote from our RESNET-certified team (617-584-1809).
Sources: 2025 DOER Massachusetts Stretch & Specialized Codes Technical Guidance (Sept 2025); Mass.gov Building Energy Code Adoption by Municipality (June 2026); Mass Save 2026 Residential New Construction program.
Common Questions About the Manchester By The Sea Energy Code
Does Manchester By The Sea require a HERS rating in 2026?
Yes. Manchester By The Sea has enforced the Massachusetts Stretch Energy Code since 1/1/2014, so new dwellings need a certified HERS rating from a RESNET-accredited rater — with blower door and duct leakage testing — before the certificate of occupancy.
What HERS score is required in Manchester By The Sea?
Homes permitted in Manchester By The Sea today must score HERS 42 or lower (mixed-fuel) or HERS 45 or lower (all-electric), up to 48 with qualifying credits. ADUs fall in the HERS 52–58 range and major alterations/additions in the 65–75 range, depending on fuel type and on-site solar.
Which energy code does Manchester By The Sea follow in 2026?
Manchester By The Sea is one of 242 of Massachusetts’ 351 municipalities enforcing the Stretch Energy Code (225 CMR 22) per the June 2026 Mass.gov adoption list; 60 towns have gone further to the Specialized Code and 49 remain on the Base Code.
Official Maximum HERS Index Scores (Table R406.5)
These are the official maximum HERS Index scores that apply to projects in Manchester By The Sea under Table R406.5 of the current code (2025 DOER Technical Guidance):
| Building type | New construction (permits after 7/1/2024) | New construction w/ embodied-carbon credit (R406.5.2) | Accessory Dwelling Units | Major alterations, additions, change of use |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mixed-fuel building | 42 | 45 | 52 | 65 |
| Mixed-fuel + solar electric | 42 | 45 | 55 | 70 |
| All-electric building | 45 | 48 | 55 | 70 |
| All-electric + solar electric | 45 | 48 | 58 | 75 |
Scores are measured before counting on-site renewable generation (per R406.5). Historic buildings may opt out for alterations under R503.1.1. Embodied-carbon credits (+3 points) come from low-GWP concrete and insulation EPDs per Table R406.5.3/R406.5.4.
Complete Stretch Code Compliance Requirements in Manchester By The Sea
Beyond the HERS maximums above, every new dwelling in Manchester By The Sea on the HERS pathway must satisfy four code sections — R403.6 (Ventilation), R404.4 (EV Ready), R406 (HERS) and Appendix RB (Solar Ready) — per the 2025 DOER Technical Guidance:
- Balanced mechanical ventilation (R403.6): an ERV or HRV system meeting minimum system airflow, heat/energy-recovery efficiency, fan sound ratings and regulated air-inlet and exhaust locations — verified by field testing.
- EV-Ready parking (R404.4): pre-wiring with a connection point and dedicated electrical panel capacity for future vehicle charging.
- Solar-Ready roof (Appendix RB): a dedicated solar zone with structural-load verification, an electrical interconnection pathway and reserved panel space — unless the project installs solar directly.
- Air-tightness & duct sealing: blower door result of 3.0 ACH50 or lower (Climate Zone 5) and duct leakage within 4 CFM25 per 100 sq ft.
Passive House alternative (R405): Phius or PHI certification satisfies the code in Manchester By The Sea in place of a HERS score — with a Certified Passive House Consultant for design and a Phius Certified Verifier/Rater during construction — and still requires EV-Ready and Solar-Ready compliance. Prescriptive path: allowed only for buildings without individually separate dwelling units, additions, and alterations — and a whole-building prescriptive project must implement 2 of the 3 additional-efficiency packages in R408 (enhanced envelope, higher-efficiency HVAC, or reduced water-heating energy). Additions of 1,000 sq ft or more (or exceeding 100% of the existing floor area) must meet both R502.3 prescriptive and the R406.5 HERS limits. Level III alterations (work area over 50% of the home and over 1,000 sq ft) also trigger HERS compliance; historic buildings are exempt under R501.6. Note that ENERGY STAR® is no longer a compliance path — HERS and Passive House are the two certification routes in Manchester By The Sea.
Detail sourced from the 2025 Massachusetts Stretch & Specialized Codes Technical Guidance (DOER, Sept 2025), Table R406.5 and Appendix RC.
Blower Door Testing in Manchester by-the-Sea, MA
HERS Rating Company provides certified blower door testing in Manchester by-the-Sea, Massachusetts. Our RESNET-accredited technicians use calibrated equipment to precisely measure your building’s air leakage rate — delivering the documentation you need for code compliance, permit sign-off, and Mass Save incentives.
What Is a Blower Door Test?
A blower door test uses a powerful, calibrated fan temporarily installed in a doorway to pressurize or depressurize your home. By measuring airflow at a standardized pressure of 50 Pascals, we determine exactly how much air is leaking through the building envelope — expressed as ACH50 (air changes per hour).
Under the Massachusetts Stretch Energy Code (IECC 2021), new homes in Manchester by-the-Sea must achieve 3.0 ACH50 or less. We perform the test and provide all documentation required by the Manchester by-the-Sea building department.
Why Manchester by-the-Sea Builders Rely on Our Blower Door Testing
- Code-Required — Mandatory for all new residential construction in Manchester by-the-Sea under MA Stretch Code
- Fast Turnaround — Digital test reports delivered within 24 hours
- Mass Save Eligible — Results accepted for all Mass Save rebate and incentive programs
- HERS Integration — Blower door results feed directly into your HERS Index score
- Experienced Team — RESNET-certified with thousands of tests completed across Massachusetts
- Green Certification — Required for LEED, Energy Star, and Zero Energy Ready Home programs
What’s Included in Our Manchester by-the-Sea Blower Door Test
- Pre-test site preparation and building walkthrough
- Calibrated Minneapolis Blower Door system installation
- Pressurization and depressurization measurements at 50 Pa
- Digital test report with ACH50 result and code compliance determination
- Optional infrared thermography to pinpoint air leakage locations
- All documentation required for Manchester by-the-Sea building department submittal
Blower Door Testing for Mass Save in Manchester by-the-Sea
Many Mass Save programs require blower door testing to verify home performance before rebates are paid. Our certified technicians provide the official test reports accepted by Mass Save program administrators, helping Manchester by-the-Sea homeowners and builders maximize energy efficiency incentives.
Schedule your blower door test in Manchester by-the-Sea, MA today — fast results, competitive pricing.
Get a Free Quote Call 617-584-1809Related Services in Manchester by-the-Sea
HERS Rating Manchester by-the-Sea MA | Duct Leakage Testing Manchester by-the-Sea MA | Stretch Code Compliance Manchester by-the-Sea MA