Recently Massachusetts was designated the most energy efficient state in the U.S. for the year 2011, topping California which held the position for the past 4 years. To reach such a milestone , there has been increased efforts from the federal, state and local bodies working together here in Mass. with utilities and municipalities to provide home owners and commercial/industrial building owners and managers with incentives for increasing their energy efficiency. One such program which greatly affected the homes or the residential side has been the Mass Save program.
Mass Save basically comprises of Massachusetts' gas and electric utilities and energy efficiency service providers, including Columbia Gas of Mass., The Berkshire Gas Co., Cape Light Compact, National Grid, New England Gas Co., NSTAR, Unitil, and Western Mass. Electric Co.. They work hand in hand with the Mass. Department of Energy Resources to provide a wide range of services, incentives, trainings, and information promoting energy efficiency that help residents and businesses manage energy use and related costs.
There have been numerous adverts in the media and increasing promotion of Mass Save through the utilities, so you, homeowners know of and can reap the benefits of this incentive program. So what are the benefits,
Well as per Mass Save the major incentive that are offered are the following:
* 75% up to $2000 toward the installation of approved insulation improvements which includes improving your attic insulation, wall insulation, air sealing, spray foaming etc.
* No-cost targeted air sealing (weatherization, caulking), installation of instant saving measures such as energy efficient CFL bulbs, programmable thermostat change out, low flow aerators for faucets and low flow shower heads
* Rebates are also available on qualifying energy-efficient heating, hot water heating and Air conditioning equipments
o Here is a link to finding all the heat/cooling rebates
* The opportunity to apply for 0% financing for eligible measures through the HEAT loan program which consist of basically getting a loan from a bank (has to be an affiliate of Mass Save) for the replacement of your heating equipment changeout without any interest, so basically it means the utility pays your interest!
For more information you can also check out http://dsireusa.org/ for a comprehensive list of all the utility rebates and incentive programs not only by the major utility companies in Mass. but also the local municipalities which also offer additional rebates regarding renewable technologies as well such as solar water heaters.
Bhaskar Ale, MSME, E.I.T, is a senior energy engineer at Mass Energy Lab, Cambridge, Mass.