Rogério Saldanha
8 months ago
Helping builders, homeowners, and developers meet energy codes with testing, fast turnaround, and certified results. Call +1 (617) 501-6788 for pricing and same-day turnaround on preliminary HERS reports. 24/7 Support available.
Energy efficiency is no longer optional—it’s essential. About us
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HERS ratings, blower door testing, duct testing & energy code compliance — all 351 cities & towns
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Certified HERS ratings, blower door testing, duct leakage testing & energy code compliance in all 351 Massachusetts cities and towns
“When you call us, you get me — not a salesperson, not a scheduler. I answer the phone, I know your project, and I get it done right.”
Dominic Zammuto is the owner and lead HERS rater at Home Energy Efficiency Consultants. Unlike most energy consultants, Dominic came up through the construction industry — his father is a builder, and Dominic grew up on job sites learning the trade from the ground up.
That background makes all the difference. With an Unrestricted Construction Supervisor License (CSL) and 25+ years of real-world construction experience, Dominic understands your project from the foundation to the roof deck. He catches air sealing problems before they become failed blower door tests. He speaks your language on the job site. He knows what matters when you’re on a deadline.
Over 15,000 HERS ratings completed. 250+ new construction builds managed. 136 five-star Google reviews. When you work with Home Energy Efficiency Consultants, you work with Dominic directly — every time.
I had the pleasure of working with Dom and his team at Home Energy Efficiency Consultants, and I cannot recommend them enough! Whether you're in need of a HERS rating or assistance with energy code compliance, this company is the go-to choice. Their extensive knowledge in building performance testing and energy efficiency solutions is unmatched. From the moment we first reached out, Dom's professionalism and attention to detail were evident. He took the time to thoroughly assess our project’s needs and provided customized recommendations to ensure everything met or exceeded code requirements. The entire process was seamless and stress-free, thanks to their expert guidance. What really stands out is their commitment to quality service. The team is not only thorough but also genuinely passionate about improving energy efficiency in homes. They offer a wide range of testing and verification services, making them a versatile partner for any project. If you're looking for a reliable and knowledgeable partner to help with energy compliance, Home Energy Efficiency Consultants is the best choice. Dom and his team will ensure your project is handled with the utmost professionalism and expertise. Highly recommend! Jack was an excellent assistant, attentive and professional, and their teamwork was flawless. They made what could have been a complicated and stressful renovation process feel like a breeze. If you want electrical work done right—quickly, efficiently, and with incredible precision—Dominic and Jack are the team to trust. Highly recommend them!
Home Energy Efficiency Consultants LLC is knowledgeable, reliable, and truly committed to helping homeowners lower their energy costs. Their team takes the time to explain solutions clearly and provides practical recommendations that make a real difference in comfort and efficiency. Professional, courteous, and easy to work with I highly recommend them to anyone looking to improve their home’s energy performance.
If you want peace of mind knowing your project is in good hands, this is the company to call. By far the best HERS rating service in Massachusetts.
Amazing customer service, they have a wonderful team of people working for the company. They know what they’re doing I would highly recommend them!!! I appreciate all of their help making this process easy and painless!!
If you want peace of mind knowing your project is in good hands, this is the company to call. By far the best HERS rating service in Massachusetts.
Super knowledgeable and thorough. Will be using them again in the future would 100 percent recommend if you're looking to maximize your system.
I recently worked with Home Energy Efficiency Consultants in Marlborough for a HERS rating on my renovation project, and the experience was excellent. They were knowledgeable, responsive, and walked me through the entire process. The report was delivered quickly and helped me qualify for rebates I didn’t even know were available. Highly recommend them for anyone looking for a professional and reliable HERS rating company in Massachusetts.
As a builder, I’ve worked with a few HERS rating companies across Massachusetts, but Home Energy Efficiency Consultants has been the best by far. They’re detail-oriented, punctual, and their knowledge of the Mass Save program has saved my clients thousands in rebates. I’ll definitely continue using them for all my projects in Marlborough and beyond.
I hired Home Energy Efficiency Consultants for a HERS rating on my new construction in Marlborough, and I’m so glad I did. They provided a thorough inspection, explained everything in terms I could understand, and even gave me suggestions to improve efficiency that will save money long term. Truly a five-star company.
Five stars isn’t enough. The team at Home Energy Efficiency Consultants LLC goes above and beyond every time. They’re the gold standard for HERS ratings in Massachusetts.
Expert analysis & clear advice What more could we ask for? Highly efficient consultants who deliver. Would recommend!
Welcome to Home Energy Efficiency Consultants, a Massachusetts-based energy consulting firm specializing in HERS Index verification, performance testing, and energy code compliance. We work with homeowners, builders, architects, and developers across the state to ensure residential projects meet RESNET standards and comply with Massachusetts energy codes.
Whether your project requires a HERS Rating, blower door testing, duct leakage testing, or full energy modeling, our certified team delivers accurate reporting, fast turnaround times, and clear guidance through the compliance process.
25+ years in construction and an unrestricted Massachusetts CSL. Our fixes are ones your crew can actually do on site.
Call or text and you reach Dominic, not a call center, including the night before an inspection.
Projected HERS reports for your permit, usually the same day. Manual J, S and D in 6–12 business hours.
HERS, blower door, duct and ventilation testing, Manual J, ENERGY STAR, DOE and Passive House.
Pre-drywall inspections find insulation and air sealing problems while they are cheap to fix.
Offices in Somerville, Everett, Framingham and Marlborough, serving all 351 Massachusetts towns, plus Rhode Island and New Hampshire.
A HERS rating is a RESNET-certified score of how much energy a home uses. Lower is better: 100 is a home built to the 2006 code and 0 is net zero, so a HERS 45 home uses about 55% less energy.
In the 302 Massachusetts Stretch and Specialized Code towns, a new home must score HERS 42 (mixed-fuel) or HERS 45 (all-electric) to pass. The projected report gets your building permit, and the final certificate closes it. The same rating qualifies all-electric 1–4 unit homes for Mass Save new construction incentives of $7,500–$40,000.
| Project | Mixed-fuel | All-electric |
|---|---|---|
| New home | HERS 42 | HERS 45 |
| ADU | HERS 52 | HERS 55 |
| Addition / alteration over 1,000 sq ft or 100% | HERS 65 | HERS 70 |
225 CMR 22 Table R406.5, permits after July 1, 2024. ADUs from $1,600, multifamily from $900 per unit.
Verified efficiency cuts heating and cooling demand and long-term utility bills.
Proper air sealing, insulation and ventilation keep temperatures even and air fresh.
A documented HERS score and certifications are what buyers and appraisers look for.
Less energy use supports Massachusetts climate goals and the Stretch Code.
HERS 42 or lower for a mixed-fuel home and HERS 45 or lower for an all-electric home in Stretch and Specialized Code towns (permits after July 1, 2024). Using low-embodied-carbon insulation or concrete can earn a 3-point credit. A typical existing Massachusetts home scores around 130.
In the 302 Stretch and Specialized Code communities, a HERS rating is required for new homes, new ADUs, and additions or alterations that add more than 1,000 sq ft or more than 100% of the existing conditioned floor area. Base-code towns can also use REScheck.
Only a RESNET-certified HERS rater working under an accredited rating provider. Mass Save also lists approved raters for its new construction incentives. Home Energy Efficiency Consultants is RESNET certified (rater ID 3385643).
A plan review and projected HERS report for the permit, a pre-drywall insulation and air sealing inspection, final blower door, duct leakage and ventilation airflow testing, and the final HERS certificate for the certificate of occupancy.
A blower door test measures how airtight a home is. We seal a calibrated fan into an exterior door, depressurize the house to 50 pascals and measure the leakage (ACH50).
Massachusetts requires new homes to test at 3.0 ACH50 or lower at final, and the result is one of the biggest drivers of your HERS score. If a test fails, we stay and find the leaks with smoke and an infrared camera, then retest once they are sealed.
Yes. A blower door test is required for virtually all new homes and HERS-rated renovations in Massachusetts before a certificate of occupancy is issued, and it is part of every HERS rating.
3.0 ACH50 or lower for new Massachusetts homes. The Mass Save ENERGY STAR tier calls for 1.5 ACH50 or tighter, and Passive House projects must be far tighter still.
About an hour on site for a typical single-family home: setup, readings at several pressures, and a walk-through to find leaks if the house is close to the limit.
A standalone blower door test typically costs $300–$600. It is included at no extra charge with a full HERS rating.
A duct leakage test measures how much heated or cooled air escapes from the ductwork before it reaches the rooms. We pressurize the system to 25 pascals with a Duct Blaster and measure the leakage (CFM25).
Massachusetts allows up to 4 CFM25 per 100 square feet of conditioned floor area on new homes. Testing at rough-in, before drywall, lets you fix leaks while they are easy to reach.
Yes, for new homes and HERS-rated projects with ducted heating, cooling or ventilation. Systems without ductwork, such as ductless mini-splits, do not need a duct leakage test.
Total leakage of 4.0 CFM25 per 100 sq ft of conditioned floor area, or 3.0 CFM25 when tested at rough-in without the air handler. If all ducts and the air handler are inside the conditioned space, the limit is 8.0 CFM25 per 100 sq ft.
At rough-in, before drywall, when leaks are easy to reach and seal, or at final once the air handler and registers are installed. Many builders test at rough-in to avoid surprises.
A standalone duct leakage test typically costs $200–$500, and a retest $150–$300. It is included with a full HERS rating.
Passive House is a super-insulated, very airtight building with balanced ERV ventilation that uses a fraction of the energy of a code-built home.
In Massachusetts Specialized Code towns, multifamily buildings over 12,000 square feet must be built to Passive House, and it is a compliance path for any project in any town. Our in-house Certified Passive House Consultant (CPHC) handles design and modeling, and as a Phius Certified Rater and Verifier, Multifamily Qualified, we do the on-site verification and testing.
Only for multifamily and residential buildings over 12,000 sq ft in Specialized Code towns, where the HERS path is not allowed. Everywhere else, Passive House is an optional compliance path for any project.
Massachusetts accepts both Phius and PHI certification. Phius offers Phius CORE for strict on-site efficiency and Phius ZERO for net-zero projects with renewables.
Continuous insulation, high-performance windows, very low air leakage, thermal-bridge-free details and balanced ERV or HRV ventilation, verified with an energy model, site inspections and testing.
For all-electric projects, $25,000 for a single-family home up to $40,000 for a 4-unit building. Multifamily buildings with 5+ units can receive $3,750 per unit plus feasibility study and energy modeling support.
Real, accurate local Manual J, S and D calculations, not an online template. We build them room by room from the same energy model as your HERS rating.
Massachusetts code requires heating and cooling equipment sized with ACCA Manual J and S, and many towns ask for them with the HVAC permit. Using your real insulation, windows, air tightness and local design temperatures means the loads, the equipment and your energy report all agree. Oversized equipment short-cycles and leaves the house humid; undersized equipment cannot keep up on the coldest nights.
| Service | Price |
|---|---|
| Manual J | $250 |
| Manual J + S | $400 |
| Manual J, S & D | $600 |
| With your HERS rating | $25 off J, S & D |
Delivered in 6–12 business hours once we have complete plans.
Yes. The energy code (R403.7) requires heating and cooling equipment to be sized with ACCA Manual J and S, many building departments ask for them with the HVAC permit, and Mass Save heat pump rebates require a load calculation.
Room-by-room heating and cooling loads from the insulation R-values, window U-factors and SHGC, air leakage from the blower door target, duct location, orientation and local design temperatures. Most of Massachusetts is in Climate Zone 5A.
For whole-home heat pump rebates, the heat pump capacity must cover 90–120% of the home’s Manual J heating load at the design temperature.
6–12 business hours once we have complete plans. Manual J is $250, J + S is $400 and the full J, S and D package is $600, with $25 off when we also do your HERS rating.
Since January 1, 2023, new homes in Massachusetts Stretch and Specialized Code towns need continuously running, balanced ventilation with heat or energy recovery, an ERV or HRV (225 CMR 22, R403.6). The installed airflow must be tested and verified by a HERS rater.
New homes are built so tight that the old leaks that used to air them out are gone. Without working mechanical ventilation, moisture, cooking fumes, VOCs and CO2 build up, leading to condensation, mold and stale air. We size the ventilation rate from your floor area, bedrooms and blower door result, measure the installed airflow at final, and balance the ERV so supply and exhaust match.
| Section | Requirement |
|---|---|
| R403.6 | Continuous, balanced whole-house ventilation in every dwelling unit |
| R403.6.1 | Heat or energy recovery required: an HRV or ERV |
| R403.6.1.2 | Units of 300 cfm or less: SRE of at least 65% at 32°F |
| R403.6.3 | Installed airflow tested by a HERS rater or BPI professional |
| R403.6.4–.5 | HVI-certified equipment, fans 1.0 sone or quieter |
| R403.6.7 | Fresh-air inlet at least 10 ft from plumbing vents, ½ in. screen |
Stretch and Specialized Code towns. Base-code towns may use exhaust, supply or balanced ventilation.
Massachusetts sets the minimum continuous rate from floor area, bedrooms and the measured blower door leakage: 0.03 × floor area + 7.5 × (bedrooms + 1), minus a credit for the home's measured air leakage.
Example: a 2,000 sq ft, 3-bedroom, 2-story home in Suffolk County that tests at 1,000 cfm50 needs about 45 cfm. Tightened to 425 cfm50, the same house needs about 71 cfm. The tighter the house, the more mechanical ventilation it needs.
| ERV | HRV | |
|---|---|---|
| Recovers heat | Yes | Yes |
| Transfers moisture | Yes, part of it | No |
| Winter | Keeps air from getting too dry | Removes more moisture |
| Summer | Limits humid air coming in | Brings in outdoor humidity |
| Meets MA code | Yes, at 65%+ SRE | Yes, at 65%+ SRE |
Most tight new Massachusetts homes use an ERV; very humid homes may do better with an HRV.
In Stretch and Specialized Code towns, yes. Since January 1, 2023, new homes need continuous balanced ventilation with heat or energy recovery (an ERV or HRV). Bath fans alone no longer count as whole-house ventilation.
The minimum continuous rate is based on ASHRAE 62.2: 0.03 × floor area + 7.5 × (bedrooms + 1), with a credit for measured air leakage. A typical 2,000 sq ft, 3-bedroom home needs roughly 45–75 cfm depending on how tight it tests.
Both meet the code if they reach 65% sensible recovery efficiency at 32°F. An ERV also manages humidity, so it is the usual choice for tight new Massachusetts homes; an HRV removes more moisture in very humid homes.
Mass Save offers a $500 instant discount on qualified ERVs and HRVs for existing homes at participating distributors. New all-electric homes get Mass Save new construction incentives instead.
We verify the major national programs for single-family and multifamily new construction, using the same HERS model and site visits, so adding a certification costs far less than starting a separate one.
Single-family and multifamily new construction, about 10% more efficient than code, with checklists for the shell, HVAC and water management.
ENERGY STAR taken further: a high-performance shell, all-electric ready and solar ready, so the home can be net zero.
Built on ENERGY STAR, with moisture, radon, ventilation and low-emission material requirements for healthier air.
Water-efficient fixtures and hot water delivery, verified during the same inspections.
A new home verified by a HERS rater to meet EPA ENERGY STAR requirements (Version 3.2 for single-family): a complete thermal enclosure, efficient HVAC and ducts, dedicated ventilation and water management. Certified homes use less energy than homes built to code.
The ENERGY STAR tier pays $15,000 for an all-electric single-family home and up to $22,500 for a 4-unit building, double the Base tier.
A U.S. Department of Energy certification that starts with ENERGY STAR and adds Indoor airPLUS, high-efficiency HVAC with ducts in conditioned space, and solar-ready construction so the home can reach net zero. Mass Save adds $500 per unit.
An EPA label that builds on ENERGY STAR with extra requirements for moisture control, radon-resistant construction, ventilation, combustion safety and low-emission materials for healthier indoor air.
Most failed blower door tests and high HERS scores come down to air leaks and insulation gaps. We test it, and we can fix it.
Because we install spray foam insulation and air sealing ourselves, we can close the leaks we find, hit your HERS and blower door targets, and prove it with a retest.
The 2021 IECC prescriptive levels for Climate Zone 5 are about R-60 in the ceiling, R-20 + R-5 continuous (or R-13 + R-10 continuous) in wood-frame walls and R-30 in floors. On the HERS path you can trade levels as long as the home hits its HERS target.
Yes. Spray foam is a foam plastic and must be separated from living space by an approved thermal barrier, usually 1/2 in. gypsum board or a listed coating.
Attic hatches and top plates, rim joists and sill plates, recessed lights, bath fans and plumbing and wiring holes, window and door rough openings, and the wall between the garage and the house.
Open-cell is about R-3.6–3.8 per inch, an air barrier that stays vapor-open, common in roofs and walls. Closed-cell is about R-6–7 per inch and a vapor retarder, common at rim joists, basements and where space is tight.
Clear pricing up front. Bundle testing and load calculations with your HERS rating and you pay less than booking each one separately.
| Single-family home | $1,850–$2,500 |
| ADU | $1,600–$1,850 |
| Multifamily, per unit | $900–$1,450 |
| Projected report for permit | Same day |
Includes plan review, pre-drywall inspection, final testing and certificate.
| Blower door test | $300–$600 |
| Duct leakage test | $200–$500 |
| Retest | $150–$300 |
| Ventilation airflow testing | Quoted per project |
Included at no extra charge with a full HERS rating.
| Manual J | $250 |
| Manual J + S | $400 |
| Manual J, S & D | $600 |
| With your HERS rating | $25 off J, S & D |
6–12 business hours. Volume pricing for builders doing 10+ homes.
| Base tier, all-electric single-family | $7,500 |
| ENERGY STAR tier, single-family | $15,000 |
| Passive House, single-family | $25,000 |
| Passive House, 4-unit building | $40,000 |
All-electric 1–4 unit new construction. Requires a HERS rater or Phius verifier.
Usually $1,850–$2,500 for a single-family home, $1,600–$1,850 for an ADU and $900–$1,450 per multifamily unit, depending on size and the number of site visits.
Yes. A full HERS rating includes the plan review and projected report, pre-drywall inspection, blower door, duct leakage and ventilation testing, and the final certificate.
Yes. Multifamily projects are priced per unit, and builders doing 10 or more homes get reduced Manual J, S and D pricing ($225 / $360 / $540).
Usually, and then some. All-electric 1–4 unit homes can earn $7,500–$40,000 in Mass Save new construction incentives, which typically far exceed the cost of the HERS rating.
Massachusetts has three energy codes, and which one applies depends on your town. We review your plans and tell you exactly what the building department will ask for, whether that is a HERS rating, REScheck or COMcheck, Passive House, or the solar, EV-ready and ventilation items. Catching it at design avoids redesigns, failed tests and permit delays.
| Code | What a new home needs |
|---|---|
| Base | 2021 IECC with Massachusetts amendments; HERS or REScheck. |
| Stretch | HERS 42 / 45 or Passive House, plus EV-ready and solar-ready items. |
| Specialized | Stretch plus a net-zero path: all-electric, mixed-fuel with solar and pre-wiring, or Passive House. |
The Base Code (the 2021 IECC with Massachusetts amendments), the Stretch Code adopted by most cities and towns, and the opt-in Specialized Code. Together, 302 communities are on Stretch or Specialized.
A net-zero path: all-electric, mixed-fuel with on-site solar and pre-wiring for future electric equipment, or Passive House. Large mixed-fuel homes over 4,000 sq ft face stricter zero-energy requirements, and multifamily over 12,000 sq ft must be Passive House.
Yes. New homes need EV-ready parking and a solar-ready roof zone with a conduit path, in addition to meeting the HERS target.
New homes in Stretch and Specialized towns need a HERS rating (or Passive House). REScheck can be used in base-code towns and on smaller projects, and commercial projects use COMcheck.
Home Energy Efficiency Consultants provides certified RESNET HERS ratings across all of Massachusetts from offices in Somerville, Everett, Framingham and Marlborough. We are an ENERGY STAR partner, a DOE Efficient New Homes partner and a Phius Certified Rater and Verifier, with 136 five-star Google reviews.
Yes. We work in all 351 Massachusetts cities and towns from our four offices, and also serve Rhode Island and southern New Hampshire.
The projected report for your permit is usually ready the same day we get complete plans. The final certificate follows the final blower door and duct tests.
We find the leaks with you on site using smoke and an infrared camera, you seal them, and we retest. Most failures come down to a few specific spots.
No. A home energy assessment is a walkthrough of an existing home. A HERS rating is a certified energy model with on-site testing, used for code compliance and new construction incentives.
Send us your plans or call (617) 501-6788. We issue the projected report for the permit, inspect before drywall, test at final and issue the certificate.
HERS ratings, blower door and duct testing, ERV testing, Manual J, REScheck, COMcheck and Stretch Code guidance from a local Massachusetts team.
We serve clients across Massachusetts with local coverage anchored by our Somerville, Everett, and Framingham locations.
Every new home in a Massachusetts Stretch Code or Specialized Code community needs a HERS rating from a certified RESNET rater. Under the 2025 code updates now in force, new single-family homes must score HERS 42 or lower (45 with renewable offsets), with a 3-point credit for low embodied-carbon materials. ADUs typically need 52–58, additions over 1,000 sq ft can trigger compliance, and Level 3 alterations fall in the 65–75 range. Boston enforces the Specialized Code (effective January 1, 2024) — as do Somerville, Cambridge, Newton, and 40+ other municipalities.
Plan review and a preliminary HERS certificate for your building permit, blower door testing, duct leakage testing, and the final HERS certificate for your certificate of occupancy. We also prepare REScheck & COMcheck reports and help you capture Mass Save new-construction rebates of up to $25,000 per home. New project? See our guide to new-construction energy code inspections.
Home Energy Efficiency Consultants is rated 5.0 stars across 136 Google reviews from our 4 locations — Somerville, Framingham, Marlborough, and Everett — serving builders, developers, and homeowners in every Massachusetts community. Same-day preliminary HERS reports available. Call (617) 501-6788.
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At Home Energy Efficiency Consultants, we are committed to providing the highest quality energy consulting services to homebuilders, architects, and developers across Massachusetts.
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ENERGY STAR® Partner · U.S. DOE Efficient New Home Partner — Verified · Mass Save®-Listed HERS RaterHis father is a builder. Dominic grew up on job sites and holds an Unrestricted CSL License with 25+ years of real-world construction experience. No call centers. No salespeople. Just Dominic.
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