Home Energy Raters for New Construction Projects

Add a Home Energy Rater certification to your business and expand your residential offerings in a competitive market.

Become a Home Energy Rating System (HERS) Rater to evaluate a home’s energy features, prepare a home’s energy rating, and make recommendations for efficiency improvements.

The Mass Save Residential New Construction Program offers incentives for building energy-efficient homes that are three stories or less (new construction, additions, and renovations).

Program participants work with approved, independent HERS companies to enroll in the energy efficiency program and verify that projects meet the Mass Save Sponsors’ energy efficiency requirements.

A certified HERS Rater is a person trained and certified by an accredited HERS Provider to inspect and evaluate a home’s energy features, prepare a home’s energy rating, and make recommendations for improvements that will save the homeowner energy and money.

Benefits of adding a HERS Rater certification to your business include:

Developing a sound understanding of building science principles and residential energy use
Finding building flaws that can cause discomfort, high energy bills, moisture problems, and indoor air quality problems by using state-of-the-art diagnostic tools
Helping your builder clients reap the benefits of energy efficiency incentives and qualify for programs such as ENERGY STAR®, federal tax credits, the U.S. Department of Energy’s National Builders Challenge, LEED Homes, NAHB’s Green Building Program, and innovative mortgage financing
Evaluating both new and existing homes using cutting-edge energy analysis software
Creating or expanding your business by selling home comfort and diagnostic services

Become a Certified HERS Rater
To become certified, contractors will need to attend HERS training classes, contract with a Residential Energy Services Network (RESNET)-accredited Rating Provider, and more. View the Eligibility Tab for more details.
Enroll as a Participating HERS Rater
Once you are a certified HERS Rater, email ResNewConstructionMA@icf.com to enroll as a participating Rater within the Mass Save Residential New Construction Program.
Complete the Orientation Training
Complete the one-hour orientation training to learn how to be a successful HERS Rater within the Mass Save Residential New Construction Program. Sign the Trade Ally Agreement, which will be provided to you, and provide a valid W-9 Form.
Remain in “Good Standing” with RESNET and Your HERS Provider
Comply with RESNET Codes & Standards and meet the minimum requirements of your HERS Provider to remain an active certified HERS Rater and remain in “Good Standing.”

Attend HERS Training Classes
- Locate an accredited Energy Rater Training organization. The organizations are listed on the RESNET website.
- Completion of a training course is required to become a certified Home Energy Rater and some training providers may offer a portion of the training online.
- All candidates must pass the RESNET National Rater Test with at least 40 out of 55 questions correct.
  Read more about preparing for the test.
Perform Five Probationary Energy Ratings Through a Rating Provider
- The Energy Rating industry is governed by RESNET and is structured to ensure a high level of quality assurance. Contractors must work through a Rating Provider, who is responsible for their quality assurance.
- An accredited Rating Provider will assist new Raters in conducting and submitting their required five additional probationary energy ratings.
- After completing these probationary ratings and passing the rater test successfully, the chosen Rating Provider will issue a document stating the contractor has passed the coursework necessary to become a certified HERS Rater.
Contract with a RESNET-Accredited Rating Provider
- HERS Raters are ultimately certified by RESNET‐accredited Rating Providers rather than RESNET.
- The accredited Rating Providers are listed on the RESNET website under “National Registry of Accredited Rating Providers.”
- Rating Providers will provide contractors with a high level of assistance through technical support, business development, and business management tools. They will also ensure contractors comply with RESNET’s quality assurance requirements.
- Contractors will need to sign a Rater Agreement outlining the responsibilities and obligations for both the Rater and the Rating Provider; this is detailed in the RESNET Standards.
- Once contractors have signed with a Rater Provider, the provider will assign a unique number and issue the certification.