Energy Efficiency & Weatherization
Did you know that New Hampshire has the potential to reduce electricity use by about 12,000 GWh, equal to the average electricity approximately 1,100 homes use each year, just through energy efficiency improvements? 1
Energy Project Funding for Householders, Towns, Tax-exempt Groups, and Small Businesses
The Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) passed in Congress and then signed into law by President Biden in August 2022 has been called the nation’s biggest climate bill ever. It provides a plethora of financial incentives to increase our energy efficiency and convert us from air-polluting fuels to electricity for home heating, appliances and transportation (among many other programs). Taking advantage of these benefits will make our homes much more energy efficient, comfortable and safer, and will save ratepayers enormous amounts on heating and utility bills. It will also allow us a better shot at meeting goals to rapidly reduce the carbon pollution that is harming our land, water and air.
We gave a presentation about incentives for householders at the Monadnock Food Co-op in Keene in April 2023. Since then, some IRA tax credits have turned into up-front discounts, and we have been given more information about household rebate programs that are expected to become available in the fall of 2024.
Click here for slides from a February 1, 2024 funding webinar, with links to learn the details about Inflation Reduction Act-funded discounts and tax credits. These incentives cut the costs for energy efficiency and renewable energy projects and electric vehicles and chargers for householders, businesses and tax-exempt entities including municipalities! To view the whole webinar (1:19) hosted by our ally the New Hampshire Network (NHN) – with detailed information for municipalities from the Energy Circuit Rider – go to the NHN webpage.
To learn about the savings opportunities available to you personally, see the fabulous Rewiring America Savings Calculator here.
To determine your income category for incentives in the rebate programs expected to become active in fall 2024, see the figures for Area Median Income by number of persons in the household and county. These are the values that will be used in the HOMES and HERA programs, according to the federal Department of Energy’s State and Community Energy Programs (SCEP) on February 15, 2024.
If you would like us to give a presentation in your town about financial incentives for renters, homeowners and drivers to make energy upgrades, email us!
Energy Efficiency Work Can Provide Big Returns for Local Landlords
MSH’s Energy Efficiency for Landlords initiative aims to connect landlords with energy efficiency information and resources to encourage and inspire energy efficiency projects that will positively impact their energy consumption, finances, and tenants’ comfort.
In 2023 we hosted a webinar for landlords to hear from state specialists about energy efficiency and available funding sources. Speakers were Andy Duncan, PhD of NH Saves, and Josh Elliott, Director of the Division of Policy and Programs at the NH Department of Energy. They were joined in the Question & Answer segment by Gordon Tuttle, Program Administrator for Eversource’s Residential Energy Efficiency Services. Andy described existing NH Saves programs and Josh previewed the massive home energy efficiency and weatherization funding support we can expect from the Inflation Reduction Act – once the details have been ironed out, perhaps as early as next winter (’23-’24).
The speakers’ slides are available to view below, followed by a link to the entire webinar in YouTube.
Click to view slides.
Click to view slides.
The first phase of this project featured a “case study” of the energy efficiency work energy pro, Doug Walker, performed on his 11 unit residential rental property in Swanzey. To see what and how it’s done and the savings watch the video below.
NHSaves Button Up Workshops Inform Residents about NHSaves Programs
Button Up Workshops allow homeowners the opportunity to learn more about the statewide NHSaves programs. Led periodically by regional home auditors, residents can learn if they qualify for programs that can improve the efficiency of their homes:
- See if your household is qualified for a $100 energy audit. (Typical standard cost without this program is $500.)
- Receive a detailed energy assessment as part of your energy audit.
- Based on the energy assessment, receive up to 50% or up to $4,000 to help pay for any of the qualified measures.
- Learn about 2% and 0% loans for qualifying homeowners for up to $15,000 with 7-10 years payback respectively available through NHSaves and participating banks, on-bill financing for loans under $2,000 and more. Local bank offering financing for Monadnock Region is Walpole Savings Bank – see complete list and full resources at NHSaves Financing.
See our calendar or the one at NHSaves for notices about future events.
Other NHSaves Programs to Lower your Energy Bill
- Learn about the Energy Star Program.
- Learn about Energy Star Rebates. These include large appliances, electric cooling and water heating, dehumidifiers, LED lighting and more.
Weatherization Toolkit from Vital Communities
Vital Communities is a bi-state nonprofit working for the improvement of its regional community in many areas which Energy. Learn more about Vital Communities and its work. They explain weatherization and link to resources for homeowners, renters and landlords.