Energy Code Compliance Testing: HERS & ERI Ratings in NY and Vermont

What a HERS index rating and an ERI rating are

A HERS index rating and an Energy Rating Index (ERI) rating are a whole-home energy rating built from the plans, inspections, and testing. Lower scores mean a more efficient home. The ERI path in New York and the Home Energy Rating method in Vermont use this score.

Who needs it and when

Builders and general contractors use a rating when they choose the ERI path in New York or the Home Energy Rating method in Vermont. Designers use it to check a plan before the permit application. Code officials use the compliance report that goes with that path. Contact our team at the design stage, before the permit application.

Our process

1. Plan review and a projected rating from the plans and specs.
2. Pre-drywall / rough-in inspection of air sealing and insulation, and a rough-in duct test where ducts are used.
3. Final blower door test and duct leakage test, and verification of installed features.
4. Confirmed rating and report for the code official. In New York, that is the as-built report before the certificate of occupancy. In Vermont, that is the RBES certificate.

Energy code compliance in New York

The current New York energy code is the 2025 Energy Conservation Construction Code of New York State (2025 ECCCNYS). Building permit applications submitted on or after December 31, 2025 must comply. There is no transition period.

For residential buildings, applicants may choose the prescriptive path, including the component performance alternative, the simulated building performance path, or the Energy Rating Index (ERI) path (Section R406).

The ERI is calculated under the national home energy rating standard the code references. An ERI score is determined for the rated design and confirmed for the as-built home.

Under the ERI path, the home still has to meet the code's mandatory items. Those include building air leakage testing with a blower door (R402.5.1.2), including the maximum leakage rate the code sets, and duct system leakage testing (R403.3.7) where ducts are installed.

A compliance report for the proposed design is submitted with the building permit application. The confirmed as-built report is submitted before the certificate of occupancy, and it reports the air leakage and duct leakage test results.

The home's permanent energy certificate (R401.3) lists the ERI score, both with and without any on-site generation, when the ERI path is used.

Blower door and duct leakage testing are required for new homes in New York regardless of compliance path (R402.5.1.2 for air leakage testing and R403.3.7 for duct testing, with limited exceptions).

Energy code compliance in Vermont

Vermont's Residential Building Energy Standards (RBES, 30 V.S.A. § 51) apply statewide to new residential construction and to additions, alterations, renovations, and repairs of residential buildings three stories or less.

Under the rule adopted April 10, 2026 and effective July 14, 2026, projects may comply with either the 2020 or the 2024 RBES.

The 2024 RBES requires a blower door air leakage test for new homes regardless of compliance method. It offers three compliance methods: Package Plus Points (prescriptive), REScheck software, and the Home Energy Rating (HERS/ERI) method.

An RBES certificate must be completed and posted in the home, at the electrical panel or the heating and cooling equipment. Copies are filed with the Public Service Department and the town clerk. When the rating method is used, the home energy rating result goes on the certificate.

What we need from you

Send the plans, insulation and window specs, mechanical equipment, ventilation, and duct layout. We also need site access at the pre-drywall visit and at the final test.