HERS Rating Medford, MA — Specialized Energy Code Town
Certified HERS Rater serving Medford, Massachusetts — helping builders, developers & homeowners meet the Massachusetts Stretch Energy Code and qualify for Mass Save incentives.
Get a Free QuoteCall 617-584-18092026 Massachusetts Energy Code Facts — Medford
Medford enforces the Municipal Opt-in Specialized Energy Code (225 CMR 23), effective 7/1/2024 — one of only 60 Massachusetts municipalities to adopt it (a Stretch Code community since 1/1/2011). For 2026 permits, new homes 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: Specialized Opt-in Code (adopted 7/1/2024) — 1 of 60 MA municipalities (as of the June 2026 Mass.gov adoption list).
- Specialized Code requirements in Medford: new multifamily buildings over 12,000 sq ft must be Passive House certified; all-electric homes must use heat pumps for heating and hot water; homes that keep fossil fuels need electrification pre-wiring and rooftop solar, and fossil-fuel homes over 4,000 sq ft must certify net-zero (HERS 0).
- 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.
- 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 Medford services: Blower Door Testing Medford · Duct Leakage Testing Medford · Stretch Code Compliance Medford · 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 Medford Energy Code
Do I need a HERS rating for a new home in Medford?
Yes. Medford follows the Municipal Opt-in Specialized Energy Code (effective 7/1/2024) on top of the Stretch Code it adopted in 1/1/2011. New dwellings need a certified HERS rating from a RESNET-accredited rater before the certificate of occupancy.
What HERS score is required in Medford?
New homes in Medford must score HERS 42 or lower (mixed-fuel) or HERS 45 or lower (all-electric) — up to 48 with qualifying credits. Fossil-fuel homes over 4,000 sq ft must certify net-zero (HERS 0), and multifamily over 12,000 sq ft needs Passive House certification.
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Medford is one of only 60 of Massachusetts’ 351 municipalities on the Specialized Opt-in Code (225 CMR 23) per the June 2026 Mass.gov adoption list — the state’s most stringent energy code tier.
Official Maximum HERS Index Scores (Table R406.5)
These are the official maximum HERS Index scores that apply to projects in Medford 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 Medford
Beyond the HERS maximums above, every new dwelling in Medford 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 Medford 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 Medford.
Medford’s Specialized Code: Three Ways to Comply (Appendix RC)
- Zero Energy Pathway (RC102): certify HERS 0 or lower — the home produces as much energy as it uses. Before counting on-site solar, the design must still score ≤45 (all-electric) or ≤42 (mixed-fuel) and meet IECC 2021 envelope U-factors. Alternative: Passive House plus a Phius ZERO design certification — the only Specialized option that can credit off-site renewable energy.
- All-Electric Pathway (RC103) — the most common route in Medford: comply with the R408.2 HVAC and water-heating efficiency packages (electric-resistance primary heating is excluded — heat pumps required), meet EV-Ready and Solar-Ready, then either achieve a final certified HERS of 45 or less without on-site power (with ERV/HRV, R406.2 lighting, and base-code U-factors) or pre-certify to Phius CORE / PHI. With load-management design, most all-electric homes run on a standard 200-amp panel.
- Mixed-Fuel Pathway (RC104) — only for dwellings under 4,000 sq ft: score HERS 42 or less without on-site power, plus electric-readiness (RC104.3), on-site renewables (RC104.4/RC105) and EV-Ready — or pre-certify Passive House with electric readiness. Electric readiness in Medford means a 250-volt/40-amp outlet within 3 feet of any gas or propane range, a 250-volt/30-amp outlet within 3 feet of the clothes dryer, a reserved branch circuit for a future heat-pump heating system, and a heat-pump water-heater location with 7-foot clearance.
Detail sourced from the 2025 Massachusetts Stretch & Specialized Codes Technical Guidance (DOER, Sept 2025), Table R406.5 and Appendix RC.
HERS Rating Services in Medford, MA
HERS Rating Company provides certified HERS Index ratings in Medford, Massachusetts. Our RESNET-accredited raters deliver fast, accurate energy ratings to keep your project on schedule and in full compliance with Massachusetts energy codes.
Whether building new or renovating in Medford, MA, our certified HERS raters provide all documentation needed for building permits and final inspections.
Just north of Boston along the Mystic River, Medford is home to Tufts University and a dense mix of historic Colonials, Victorians, and triple-deckers alongside growing transit-oriented development near the new Green Line Extension stations. Our RESNET-certified raters provide energy ratings for the city’s renovations, condo conversions, and new multifamily construction.
All Services We Offer in Medford, MA
Why Medford Builders Choose Us
- RESNET Certified Raters — Fully accredited with years of Massachusetts experience
- Fast Turnaround — Energy reports delivered within 24 hours
- MA Stretch Code Experts — Deep knowledge of IECC 2021 & MA Stretch Code
- Mass Save Qualified — Help maximize your energy efficiency rebates
- Competitive Pricing — Transparent flat-rate quotes, no hidden fees
Massachusetts Stretch Energy Code in Medford
The MA Stretch Energy Code requires all new residential construction to be verified by a certified HERS rater. Builders in Medford must meet IECC 2021 requirements including air tightness tested by blower door and duct leakage verified by duct leakage testing. We provide all documentation required by the Medford building department.
Ready to schedule your HERS rating in Medford, MA? Get a fast, free quote today.
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Frequently Asked Questions — HERS Rating in Medford, MA
How much does a HERS Rating cost in Medford, MA?
HERS Rating costs in Medford typically depend on home size, design complexity, and the number of required site visits. For an accurate quote tailored to your Medford project, call our RESNET-certified team at 617-584-1809.
Is a HERS Rating required for new construction in Medford?
Yes. New residential construction in Medford, MA must demonstrate energy-code compliance, and a HERS Rating is the standard path under the Massachusetts Stretch Code. Call 617-584-1809 to confirm requirements for your build.
How long does a HERS Rating take in Medford?
A HERS Rating in Medford generally involves plan review, a mid-construction inspection, and a final test with blower door and duct testing. Timing depends on your construction schedule. Reach us at 617-584-1809 to coordinate.
What is the HERS score requirement for the MA Stretch Code?
The Massachusetts Stretch Code sets maximum HERS index targets that vary by code version and home type, with lower scores indicating greater efficiency. Our Medford raters help you hit the required score—call 617-584-1809.