» EE PITTSFIELD » ENERGY EFFICIENCY PROGRAMS
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One of the most impactful ways that you can combat pipelines and other fossil fuel projects is through working to limit demand. This can be done by improving your efficiency and transitioning to renewable energy.
A cozy home is a healthy, happy home.
Look for our Team Members this Spring and Summer in Pittsfield neighborhoods. We’ll be knocking on doors, talking with residents about state-run energy efficiency and clean energy programs and helping you get started!
Interested in having a Home Energy Audit or learning more about the Solar Access program? Though these programs often work with owner-occupied homes, residences with up to 4 living units qualify! If you’re a landlord or renter interested in taking advantage of these programs, you can also join in.
• Below are some programs and incentives for Massachusetts residents that will make this conversion easy and financially beneficial.
A new pilot program for middle-income homeowners that works with you to put heating and cooling with high-efficiency heat pumps and the solar panels to run them within reach – for about the same cost as your current utility bill.
A Statewide program that offers homeowners, landlords, and tenants a variety of financial incentives to improve home efficiency. Start by getting a No-cost Home Energy Assessment.
A community-based outreach program that encourages clean heating and cooling technologies such as include air-source heat pumps, ground-source heat pumps, and solar hot water.
A statewide solar incentive program that encourages the use of solar photovoltaic technology by residential, commercial, governmental and industrial electricity customers.
A program that seeks to increase the adoption of small-scale solar electricity by partnering with communities to provide solar electricity systems, solar heat pumps, etc to homeowners.
»Clean Energy Incentives and Rebates for Mass Residents
Various programs that make it easy and financially beneficial for Mass Residents to convert to clean energy. Incentives include: federal tax incentives, state tax incentives, Mass Solar loans, and net metering.
Some of the best analysis of Energy Efficiency programs in New England comes from Acadia Center.
» Optimizing the Electric System and Achieving Consumer and Environmental Benefits
Analysis by Acadia Center – August 11, 2015
SYNOPSIS: In Massachusetts, energy efficiency has already started to relieve stresses on the electric system and reduce the need for construction of expensive power plants and transmission lines. In the most basic terms, energy efficiency is about investing money in ways to help consumers save on electricity. At the large scale, efficiency investments like the ones Massachusetts has made over the last 5 years benefit not only distribution system capital needs, but avoid transmission and generation expenses as well. Cutting demand also generates macroeconomic growth, creates jobs and keeps energy dollars in Massachusetts. Every $1 spent on energy efficiency yields $4.79 in savings to consumers and businesses.
» Winter Impacts of Energy Efficiency in New England
Retrospective Analysis by Acadia Center – April 15, 2015
SYNOPSIS: Investments in electric efficiency since 2000 reduced electric demand in New England by over 2 gigawatts. These savings provide significant benefit during periods of peak demand, such as the winter of 2014. In this analysis the effects of electric efficiency are estimated by comparing actual demand and prices during January-March 2014 (defined as winter 2014 in this report) with a scenario where demonstrated savings from electric efficiency programs are assumed not to exist.
MA STATE RESOURCES
» Massachusetts’ Green Communities Division
» State options for Energy Efficiency for your home
» MassSAVE program
» State options for Energy Efficiency for your business
» Woodstove trade-in program
HIGH-EFFICIENCY AIR-SOURCE HEAT PUMPS
» EnergyStar-rated air source Heat Pumps
DESIGNING EFFICIENT BUILDINGS
» USGBC – United States Green Building Council
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