Green Newton

Eversource and National Grid have announced steep price hikes for energy this winter, and it’s not certain when they go back down again. Get a no-cost home energy assessment to see if your home can benefit from insulation and air sealing. Insulating and air sealing your home will help your home feel more comfortable and will help keep the heating and cooling bills down.

1. Take inventory of your home. Take a look at this checklist from MassCEC to get a sense of where to focus your attention.
2. Schedule a no-cost Mass Save Home Energy Assessment.  You can contact Mass Save directly to find a contractor by calling 1-866-527-SAVE (7283) or going on the Mass Save website. (Renters and condo owners also qualify, as long as you have an electric or gas bill. You’ll need your landlord’s permission before adding insulation.)  You can also download Green Newton’s Green Pages to see a list of contractors recommended by our members.
3. During your visit with the energy specialist, ask detailed questions to cover all the topics listed on the weatherization checklist linked above. This may involve going into your attic or basement to take a good look at your current insulation and heating equipment.
4. At the end of the assessment, you’ll get a list of recommendations. This may include free energy savings tools, such as a programmable thermostats and power strips. Your energy specialist may recommend insulation and/or air sealing.

All insulation work through Mass Save contractors has a standard price, so you don’t need to worry about getting multiple quotes. And this work is highly discounted in Massachusetts: air sealing is covered at 100% (free for you) and insulation is 75% covered at 75% (100% covered for income-eligible households).

You may find out during your assessment that you have some “pre-weatherization barriers,” such as knob and tube wiring or vermiculite, that you’ll have to remove before adding insulation or air sealing. This can make weatherizing your home into a bigger process than you expected, but you will be eligible for a 0% interest loan to help with the removal costs.

You can get an energy assessment every two years, so if you’ve been through this process previously but are still finding trouble spots in your home, call again.

Contact the City of Newton Energy Coaches to get free help with navigating the process. A coach can also help residents learn about electric vehicles, solar options, and the best financial incentives available.