CMI 2010-2011

What was the CMI (Community Mobilization Initiative)?

NSTAR, the City of New Bedford, the Marion Institute’s Green Jobs, Green Economy Initiative, the ESHU² Collective, and PACE YouthBuild have partnered on a community-based effort called a “Community Mobilization Initiative” (“CMI”). The design of this program dovetails with Mayor Lang’s Community Retrofit Program (now known as New Bedford Energy Now!), which aims to improve the energy efficiency of 5000 homes and business over the next 5 years through community engagement and education efforts.

The CMI has been designed to increase participation in NSTAR's residential energy efficiency programs in order to help residents save money on utilities, decrease carbon emissions and energy usage, and create well-paying local Green Jobs. Since July 2010, P.O.W.E.R. has been doing outreach in New Bedford to sign residents up for free Energy Assessments through the Mass Save program. The goal of the pilot is to weatherize 50 homes, 25 small businesses, and 4 apartment buildings in the City by the end of March 2010. As of December 2010, P.O.W.E.R. had signed up over 450 New Bedford residents for energy efficiency assessments.

NSTAR and the City of New Bedford Launch First-in-the-State Jobs Initiative
Area Homes to Be More Energy Efficient by Trained Local Workforce

This model has many benefits. Not only does it save residents money, reduce carbon emissions and create local jobs, it also builds community and showcases the value of social networks. By developing a team of community leaders to educate, do outreach and engage participants, we are able to take advantage of existing social networks and use the power of peer reinforcement to promote a shift in consciousness and behavior of the community. When people see their neighbors and friends making changes in attitude and behavior, they are much more likely to embrace change themselves.

Sign up to receive a free energy efficient assessment!
Or call (508) 990-1425

How did the CMI work?

The Community Mobilization Initiative is a collective effort. P.O.W.E.R. is responsible for outreach and education, which includes door-to-door outreach, hosting local events and other creative forms of outreach (including Facebook!). After helping community members understand the benefits and particulars of the energy efficiency program, P.O.W.E.R. helps participating residents schedule an appointment with Conservation Services Group (CSG), NSTAR’s statewide audit contractor (In the case of business assessments, an appointment is scheduled with RISE Engineering. See details below). CSG performs the initial home assessments to provide residents with valuable energy efficiency information. Included is a determination of whether or not the home would benefit from additional weatherization measures, such as free air-sealing or financial incentives for adding insulation or replacing a heating system. The YouthBuild program, run locally by P.A.C.E., then performs the recommended weatherization measures through their contracting company, Urban Energy Solutions. Measures include blown-in insulation and air-leak sealing. The YouthBuild crews are comprised of local residents who have met strict statewide training requirements to ensure quality workmanship. Currently, Urban Energy Solutions is the only fully approved MassSAVE contractor in the City of New Bedford.

For local businesses coming through the program, RISE Engineering conducts the assessments and all electrical work is completed by a local electrician. Throughout this whole process, the P.O.W.E.R. Community Mobilization Leaders serve as a constant point of contact and resource for participating residents and business owners.

POWER is excited to be a part of this collaboration and is looking forward to helping the City achieve its goal of weatherizing 5000 homes and businesses!

About Mass Save:
Mass Save® is an initiative sponsored by Massachusetts’ gas and electric utilities and energy efficiency service providers. The Sponsors of Mass Save work closely with the Massachusetts 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. For more information, please visit http://masssave.com

Get Your Home and/or Business Energy Assessment!

You know that you can save up to 30% on your energy bills by making relatively minor changes and improvements! The first step is getting a free energy assessment. This is a fantastic opportunity to save your family and/or your business money and help us make this pilot program a success!

One of the easiest ways to make your money go further is to manage your energy costs . The Mass Save/NSTAR program offers services, incentives, and information to help you make smart energy choices. In order to take a “whole-building” approach to energy savings, the best place to start is with a no-cost energy assessment. An energy specialist from Conservation Services Group (CSG, in the case of home assessments) or RISE Engineering (in the case of business assessments) will come to your home or business, analyze what changes will make the most difference, and then help you plan your roadmap to deeper savings. During your home assessment, CSG will make recommendations about improving your heating or cooling system, water heater, insulation, and thermostat. Businesses will receive the services and incentives explained below. For more details on these programs, see the following sections.

Sign up to receive a free energy efficient assessment!
Or call 1-877-979-POWER

Please see below for details on the Mass Save residential, multi-family, and small business energy efficiency programs.

Home Energy Assessment (1 to 4 unit homes)

Once you sign up for a Home Energy Assessment, the P.O.W.E.R. team will schedule you for an appointment with an Energy Efficiency Expert from Conservation Services Group (CSG), NSTAR’s statewide energy audit contractor. CSG utilizes a scientific “whole house” approach in order to identify opportunities to upgrade the energy efficiency of your home or apartment. They will inspect all the building’s systems including heating and cooling, insulation and air leaks, the energy efficiency of appliances and lighting, and suggest actions that will reduce energy bills, increase year-round comfort, and decrease your impact on the environment. (click here to learn more about the basics of “building science.”)

The home energy assessment includes the free installation of instant savings measures including:
● Compact fluorescent light bulbs
● Programmable Thermostat installation (when applicable)
● Low-flow shower head and faucet aerators (when applicable)

This service is offered at no cost and with no commitment. An energy assessment like this would cost upwards of $500 if it were not for the progressive energy legislation in Massachusetts, which requires utility companies to help customers reduce energy usage. Since it is paid for through an energy surcharge, this particular program is only available to NSTAR customers who are paying the full rate for electricity and/or gas. (Please Note: If you are receiving a reduced rate on your electricity or if you receive low-income home energy assistance, you are NOT eligible to receive these free measures. However, there are other programs for which you may qualify. Please see the FAQ below for more details.)

Making Energy Efficiency Upgrades Affordable

- Free Air Sealing! - This program includes FREE air sealing in buildings for which it is deemed appropriate. Sealing a home’s envelope—its exterior walls, ceiling, and floors—is an important step in controlling the indoor environment and lowering energy bills. In typical homes, air leaks are often found at cracks, small holes, and penetrations for plumbing, wiring, lighting, and duct work. This service is offered at no-cost upon approval from the building owner.

- Rebates for Blow-in Insulation - NSTAR will cover 75% of the cost up to $2,000 to install recommended insulation and energy efficiency upgrades. For buildings with 2-4 units, this incentive is available for each qualifying NSTAR account (for example: 3 units will receive up to $6000 for improvements!).

- Mass Save HEAT No-Interest Loans are Available from $500 to $15,000 with Terms Up to 7 Years. These loans can be used to cover anything from the replacement of an old furnace, to blow-in insulation, to solar hot-water heaters (Please click here to read more about the Mass Save HEAT loan program.

- Rebates for Energy Efficient Appliances - There are also a variety of specific rebates for appliances such as refrigerators, heating/cooling systems, computer monitors, etc. Find more details here or see the FAQ for a brief description.

- Federal Tax Credits - If you purchase energy efficient products or renewable systems for your home, you may be eligible for federal tax credits. Click here for more details on Federal Tax Credits for Consumer Energy Efficiency.

- Please Note: You are eligible to receive the incentives of the Home Energy Assessment once every calendar year, so you are able to stagger the implementation of recommended energy efficient measures.

Want to learn more about what a Home Energy Assessment includes?
- Get the details on a home energy assessment (includes an informative video!).

Understanding “Building Science"

In order to understand the importance of home weatherization and how it can save you money and improve comfort, it helps to have a basic understanding of what is called “building science.” What follows is an explanation of a few fundamental aspects of building science. There are also many online resources, provided in the resource section of the website.

This image illustrates the manner in which air enters, travels through, and exits most homes, a concept called the “stack effect”. Much like a chimney, cold air enters from lower building levels and pushes warm air up and out the top of the structure. Locating and sealing those entry and exit points will save you money. In a home that is not energy efficient, you are essentially paying to heat up air that will then immediately leave your home.

The thermal boundary of a home is the area of the structure which is meant to keep warm air in during the winter, and cool air in during the summer (the living space). Effective insulation, and properly air sealed wall and ceiling cavities are the makeup of your home's thermal boundary.

Air-sealing (pictured on right) is simply closing holes, cracks, and gaps where air passes into or out of your home. On hot and cold days, you pay money to operate an air-conditioner, boiler or furnace to maintain a comfortable temperature in your home. A house that leaks air costs more to heat or cool because your heating or cooling system must work longer to "condition" the air. Sitting by such leaks creates an uncomfortable sensation because the room feels hotter or colder. The biggest holes are most often found in the attic and basement. These air leaks interact with other parts of the building in hidden and sometimes unexpected ways. Sprayfoam, dense-packed cellulose, caulking, and weather-stripping are the most common materials used for air sealing. Sealing air leaks will allow you to maintain your home at a comfortable temperature year-round and help lower energy bills.

Sign up to receive a free energy efficient assessment!
Or call 1-877-979-POWER

For more information and energy saving tips click here.

Multi-Family with 5 or more dwelling units

Mass Save® offers Multi-Family Energy Assessments that identify cost-effective energy efficiency improvements or replacement opportunities. Utilizing a “whole facility” approach, the energy expert will focus on your building’s thermal envelope (shell insulation and air leakage conditions for units heated by natural gas or electricity) as well as lighting and mechanical systems. They will also assess in-unit savings potential for tenants. Because this program is designed to treat the entire facility it is important for tenants to work with their owner or property manager to enroll in the program. This program is not available for oil or propane heated units.

Eligibility
Eligible multi-family facilities are defined as:
● Residential facilities with five or more dwelling units on the property.
OR
● Buildings with income-eligible residents living in non-institutional multi-family facilities with five or more units owned or operated by a non-profit entity or a public housing authority. These facilities would qualify under the Mass Save Low Income Multi-Family Program.

The following improvements may be eligible for Mass Save incentives:

● Energy efficient lighting upgrades & controls
● Occupancy sensors
● Water Heating equipment
● Domestic hot water measures: low-flow showerheads, aerators, and pipe wrap
● Programmable thermostats
● Insulation
● Air sealing
● High-efficiency heating and cooling equipment upgrades and controls
● ENERGY STAR® qualified refrigerators and other eligible appliances
● Other energy improvements determined on a site-specific basis
Note: Buildings with four or fewer units per property are served under the Residential programs and are not eligible for multi-family energy assessments.

Contact information for the Multi-Family Programs

Sign up to receive a free energy efficient assessment!
Or call 1-877-979-POWER

For information about the Mass Save Low Income Multi-Family Program, visit www.leanmultifamily.org or call 617-348-6425.

Other Multifamily Related Resources:
The EPA has developed Portfolio Manager, an interactive energy management tool that allows you to track and assess energy and water consumption across your entire portfolio of buildings in a secure online environment. Whether you own, manage, or hold properties for investment, Portfolio Manager can help you set investment priorities, identify under-performing buildings, verify efficiency improvements, and receive EPA recognition for superior energy performance.

Visit the EPA’s Portfolio Manager Benchmarking Tool to learn more.

Mass Save HEAT Loan:
Due to recent changes in program policies, owners of multi-family buildings may now be eligible to receive a 0% Low Interest 7 year loan in order to finance energy efficiency improvements. (Please click here to read more about the Mass Save HEAT loan program.

Sign up to receive a free energy efficient assessment!     
Or call 1-877-979-POWER

Small Business Energy Efficiency Program

Through the Mass Save program we can offer a variety of generous incentives that enable you to install recommended cost-effective energy efficient measures in your building and realize significant savings on your electric bill. NSTAR’s Small Business Solutions program is designed for small businesses whose average monthly demand is less than 300kW. This program will help you incorporate energy-efficient lighting and controls, high-efficiency mechanical equipment, and other energy-saving strategies within your current facility.

Program Features

1. Free energy analysis to identify energy-saving opportunities at no direct cost
2. Direct installation of qualifying equipment by our program contractors
3. Financial incentives that cover up to 70% of the total installed cost and paid directly to the vendor by NSTAR
4. Fast return on investment with the program’s financial incentives, with energy savings typically paying for improvements in less than one year.
5. Financing is now available

Call 877-979-POWER to sign up for a FREE energy assessment for your facility. The P.O.W.E.R. Project is partnered with RISE Engineering, an official Mass Save contractor, for the small business component of this Community Mobilization Initiative. After a thorough assessment by RISE Engineering, you will receive a custom report that recommends specific cost-effective energy efficient measures designed to maximize energy savings and promote greater comfort in your workplace. If you decide to proceed, RISE will make the necessary arrangements for installing the energy efficient measures at your facility. All installations will be performed by licensed local tradespersons.

Energy Efficiency Measures Available Through MASS SAVE:

A variety of energy-saving services are available through NSTAR’s Small Business Solutions program.In many cases,replacing existing equipment with high-efficiency equipment will result in significant energy savings.A sample of energy-efficiency upgrades for which NSTAR will provide rebates includes:

● High Efficiency Lighting
● Building Envelope
● Lighting controls
● HVAC tune-up
● Occupancy Sensors and other Energy Management Systems
● High Efficiency Refrigeration Controls
● Motors and Variable Speed Drives
● Other site-specific measures

This Small Business Solutions program offers customers a single source of information, technical assistance and financial incentives for energy improvements. It provides customers with resources in all phases of their projects, from exploration and planning through installation.

Sign up to receive a free energy efficient assessment!
Or call 1-877-979-POWER
What Happened After the Pilot?

Thanks to Mayor Scott Lang’s Leadership, the City of New Bedford has a stated goal of weatherizing 5000 units of housing and small businesses in the next five years. The City was in the process of implementing this program with the support of stimulus funds when the opportunity to partner with NSTAR on the Community Mobilization Initiative presented itself. Because the two programs utilize the same model, the Community Mobilization Initiative has offered an opportunity to pilot the program design before scaling up to a full-city effort. Accomplishing City’s ambitious goal will require a whole-systems approach that benefits the economy and the environment while building a strong community.

Frequently Asked Questions (F.A.Q.)

Q: What is a Home Energy Assessment and what should I expect?

A: A home energy assessment is a comprehensive assessment of your home from the basement to the attic to evaluate home energy efficiency performance. It is generally a two-step process, each of which involves a visit to the home.

Utilizing a "house as a system" approach, the Home Energy Assessment focuses on your home’s thermal envelope (shell insulation and air leakage conditions) and mechanical systems to identify cost effective energy efficiency improvement and/or replacement opportunities.

During the first visit, free, energy saving compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFLs) are installed for you and your showerheads and faucets are assessed and switched out, also free of charge. Your refrigerator as well as the homes’ heating, cooling and ventilation systems are checked for energy efficiency as a part of the assessment process. Also available for free (when applicable) is an upgrade to digital programmable thermostats for better regulated heat consumption. Available rebates for higher efficiency equipment will be discussed. Insulation levels are evaluated, as well as any air leaks in the home. If opportunities in these areas exist, a second visit will be scheduled.

During a second visit, an auditor will perform a highly detailed assessment of the home using special equipment designed to identify air leaks. Also at this time, the auditor will identify any additional weatherization work, such as insulation and present a description of the work to be done, along with costs and financing option.

Click here to get the details on Home Energy Assessments, including an informative video that takes you through a typical home energy assessment, from attic to basement, with tips on what you’ll need to get started.

Click here to learn about some of the basics of “building science” and for more resources.

Q: Who will be doing the assessment on my home or business?

A: Conservation Services Group (CSG) is NSTAR’s statewide energy contractor for home assessments. The P.O.W.E.R. Project is partnered with RISE Engineering, an official Mass Save contractor, for the small business component of this Community Mobilization Initiative. Both of these contractors are fully-qualified, licensed and insured. The energy efficiency expert who comes to your home or business will carry photo identification.

Q: How long is an assessment?

A: Each visit in the two-step process generally takes 1-2 hours to complete but can vary depending on the size, style and age of the home.

Q: Is there anything I need to do before the assessment?

A: You will be asked to provide access to all areas of the home as the evaluation will include a basement-to-attic inspection (if appropriate).

You should provide a copy of your gas and electric bill and a year’s worth of usage for other fuels such as oil or propane.

Pets should be secured prior to the assessment.

Q: Do I have to be home during the assessment?

A: Yes. An energy efficiency expert will assess your home’s current energy usage and provide a custom list of recommended ways to save energy. All decision makers in the household should allow time to participate in the assessment to understand the impact of the recommended improvements as well as the installation process necessary to complete the improvements. If you rent your home, we will need your landlord’s consent for any measures that impact the structure of the home (insulation or air sealing) or the home’s heating and cooling systems. Required co-payments for these measures will be discussed at the time of the assessment.

Q: I rent my home. Can I get an assessment?

A: Yes, customers who rent their homes are eligible to have an assessment. You will receive free, energy saving compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFLs) which will be installed for you. Also, your showerheads and faucets will be assessed and switched out, again free of charge.

Your landlord’s consent is required, however, for any measures that impact the structure of the home (insulation or air sealing) or the home’s heating and cooling systems. Required co-payments for these measures will be discussed at the time of the assessments.

Q: Are there other pilot programs like this?

A: New Bedford was the first community to launch a Community Mobilization Initiative, but the intention is to have five pilot programs across the state. Programs have recently begun in Chinatown and Chelsea and others may follow.

Q: How soon can I get an assessment?

A: Since people tend to think about making their homes more efficient during the winter, this season is our busiest scheduling period. During this period, appointments will be set a month to two in advance. Also, during this high-demand period, our program is allotted a limited number of available appointments. We do our best to contact applicants in the order in which they apply in order to schedule appointments. If you have signed up with us already and and are still waiting to receive an appointment, please feel free to contact us and we will do our best to schedule you ASAP. Call: 1-877-979-POWER or Email: NewBedfordPOWER@gmail.com

Q: How much will this cost?

A: The assessment itself, along with the bulbs, shower heads, faucet aerators, and air sealing are all free of charge (where applicable). In other states, this service costs up to $500, but thanks to progressive state legislation, it is offered to Massachusetts residents at no charge.

The energy expert may also offer a list of additional improvement options that may require an additional cost. A wide range of incentives and/or rebates may be available for many of the recommended improvements that will be included on your list. You may choose the best options for you.

Click here to read more about the incentives of this program established to help make energy efficiency measures more affordable.

Q: Are there any discounts or rebates for installing insulation and other energy efficiency measures?

A: There are a great number of incentives, rebates, and financing options available to make energy efficiency upgrades more affordable, including:

- Free “Air Sealing!” - This program includes free air sealing for those buildings for which it is deemed appropriate. Sealing a home’s envelope—its exterior walls, ceiling, and floors—is an important step in controlling the indoor environment and lowering energy bills. In typical homes, air leaks are often found at cracks, small holes, and penetrations for plumbing, wiring, lighting, and duct work.

- As part of this program, NSTAR will cover 75% of the cost up to $2,000 to install recommended insulation and energy efficiency upgrades. For buildings with 2-4 units, this incentive is available for each qualifying NSTAR account (3 units will receive up to $6000 for improvements!)

- Mass Save HEAT no-interest loans are available from $500 up to $15,000 with terms up to 7 years to assist with the installation of qualified energy efficient improvements. (Please click here to read more about the Mass Save HEAT loan program.

-If you purchase energy efficient products or renewable systems for your home, you may be eligible for federal tax credits. Click here for more details on Federal Tax Credits for Consumer Energy Efficiency.

- Please Note: You are eligible to receive the incentives of the Home Energy Assessment once every calendar year, so you are able to stagger the implementation of recommended energy efficient measures.

There are also a variety of specific rebates available for new energy efficient appliances available through NSTAR, like refrigerators, heating/cooling systems, computer monitors, etc... (for a complete listing, please visit the NSTAR website)

Rebates available through NSTAR:

- Up to $500 rebate towards the purchase of new high-efficiency oil or propane-fired heating system

- $300 rebate for replacing an existing oil or propane fired tankles or freestanding hot water heater with indirect-fired water heater

- Rebates between $200 and $1600 for high-efficiency gas heating system

- Rebates between $50 and $700 for high-efficiency gas water heating
 

Q: What should I expect as a resident if I choose to have my home weatherized?

A: If, after the assessment process (explained above), there are any recommended improvements in insulation, air sealing, or system replacements, CSG will issue you a contract. While the air sealing work will be performed free of charge, all other recommendations will be listed along with the cost for each measure, the estimated payback and all applicable rebates (click here to read about the rebates, incentives and financing offered through this program.

If there are no barriers to doing the weatherization work (i.e. knob and tube wiring, mold or asbestos), and if you plan not to finance the project, you can sign the contract and upon receipt of ⅓ of the cost (after rebates) CSG will schedule the weatherization work. If you finance the work with the HEAT loan, you won’t have to make an out of pocket payment. Once approved for a HEAT loan, you can simply write “HEAT Loan” next to the line on the contract reading “Payment One” and mail the contract to CSG. (Please click here to read more about the Mass Save HEAT loan program).

YouthBuild New Bedford’s Urban Energy Solutions will then receive a work order to perform the scheduled improvements, as a sub-contractor to CSG. (Urban Energy Solutions is a Mass Save approved contractor. The YouthBuild crews are comprised of local New Bedford residents who have met strict statewide training requirements to ensure quality workmanship.) Depending on the type and amount of work required, employees of Urban Energy Solutions will spend 1-3 business days working at your home. You are free to remain home during the process. Contractors will work from the inside and the outside of your building. For a description of what may be involved with the home weatherization process, please visit this website. (Please note that every home is different and your energy audit will dictate which weatherization improvements make the most sense for your home.)

Once the work is performed, there will be a quality control inspection performed by Conservation Services Group (CSG) to ensure that all work was performed according to plan.

see also: 7 Myths about Weatherization

Q: Who will perform recommended work on my home?

A: If there is no work needed to be done on the home then the initial scheduled visit with CSG is the only visit made. If there is any needed insulation, air sealing, or system replacements, then YouthBuild New Bedford’s Urban Energy Solutions will receive the work order. Urban Energy Solutions is a Mass Save approved contractor. The YouthBuild crews are comprised of local New Bedford residents who have met strict statewide training requirements to ensure quality workmanship.

Q: Who will perform recommended work on my business?

A: RISE Engineering will perform both the assessment and any required work for business customers. RISE Engineering has been at the “leading-edge reduction strategies for three decades.” Learn more about RISE Engineering, here.

Q: Who will perform recommended work on my multi-family building?

A: Conservation Services Group (CSG) will perform both the assessment and any required work for owners of multi-family buildings. In general, the bulk of improvements for such facilities involve changes in lighting of common areas.

Q: What’s the best thing consumers can do to improve the efficiency of their home?

A: Adding insulation and reducing air leakage may be the best way to improve a home’s overall energy efficiency. Depending on existing conditions, installing extra insulation and air sealing can save up to 30% on heating and cooling costs. Air sealing not only reduces overall air infiltration of your home, making it more comfortable, it also helps your insulation to perform better.

Q: How much am I going to save if I have the retrofit done?

A: It all depends on what energy efficiency measures you decide to install. For example, a retrofit that involves insulation and air sealing can save customers up to 30% on their heating and energy bills. Of course this varies depending on the age and the size of the house. Existing energy efficiency measures can also influence program results.

Q: What if I have pre-weatherization barriers?

A: There are several conditions which, if present, will complicate the weatherization process. Unfortunately, in New Bedford, where most of the houses were built before 1940, many buildings are effected by what are called “pre-weatherization barriers”.

These barriers include:

Knob and tube wiring - often found in the walls and attics of older homes. There is a possibility that insulation may trap heat produced by overloaded knob and tube wiring circuits, causing a fire hazard. Knob and tube wiring must be removed before walls can be insulated.

Moisture Problems - High moisture, often due to a poorly sealed basement

Combustion Safety - Older combustion appliances (furnace, stove, hot water heater) may present a hazard, as determined by the energy efficiency expert.

In order for weatherization efforts to proceed, these barriers will have to be addressed. Unfortunately the costs of associated remediation of pre-weatherization barriers are NOT covered by the incentives, rebates and financing offered through the Mass Save program.

However, some people may be eligible to receive a special home improvement grant from the Office of Housing and Community Development. This program includes up to a $2000 grant and $15,000 low-interest financing. This program is available to those who fall within the 60-80% range of median income.

To explore your options for overcoming pre-weatherization barriers, please contact the P.O.W.E.R. Project at 877-979-POWER

Q: Can anyone participate in this program?

A: Since it is paid for through a “systems benefit charge,” this program is only available to NSTAR customers who are paying the full rate for electricity and/or gas. Please Note: If you are receiving a reduced rate on your electricity or if you receive low-income home energy assistance, you are NOT eligible to receive these free measures. However, there are other programs for which you may qualify, such as PACE (see below).

Q: Where does the money come from?

A: Mass Save is a residential energy efficiency program sponsored by a consortium of major utilities in Massachusetts. Annual funding is aggregated through a “systems benefit charge” paid by all residential electric and gas consumers, and this funding is used to subsidize energy efficiency work statewide.

Q: What if I am not eligible to receive the free assessment?

A: IF YOU ARE ON FUEL ASSISTANCE or a reduced rate for your energy bill, you are NOT eligible to participate in this NSTAR/Mass Save program. HOWEVER, you may be eligible to participate in the Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP) administered locally by Citizens for Citizens in Fall River. This is a similar program, funded by the U. S. Department of Energy and administered in Massachusetts by the Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD), which targets households with a gross annual income that does not exceed 60% of the Estimated State Median Income. (For a household of four in 2009, that is a maximum gross weekly income of $1,031 or gross annual income of $53,608.) Depending on the needs of each house, the weatherization measures will vary. After needs are determined by an inspection from a certified energy auditor, typical completed weatherization measures may include: air sealing, attic and/or sidewall insulation, weather-stripping, and minor repairs associated with the weatherization work. The maximum amount per eligible household is $6,500.

Interested residents should contact the Citizens for Citizens office at (508) 675-2157 Ext. 231, 232, 287 to determine eligibility.

For more information on the Weatherization Assistance Program please visit the website of Citizens for Citizens.

Q: What if I don’t live in New Bedford but would still like to participate in the Community Mobilization Initiative?

A: If you are a Massachusetts resident but do not reside in New Bedford, chances are you can still take advantage of what MassSave has to offer. Simply call 1-866-527-7283 or click here [Link = http://masssave.com/residential/lighting-and-appliances/explore-services/service-detail-home-energy-assessment]. Please mention that you were referred by the New Bedford POWER Project. The goals of the Community Mobilization Initiative are specific to New Bedford, but it is helpful to show that our efforts have engaged residents and business owners from other communities as well.

No matter where you live, there are opportunities to improve the energy efficiency of your home or business and support the underlying goals of the program. Feel free to contact us with questions, no matter where you live! See our resource section for ideas on how to save energy and resources available in your community.