Vermont Governor Phil Scott, flanked by homeowner Sally Ross and Vermont Gas CEO Don Rendall at the announcement in Ross's home in Burlington.
by Brandon Arcari, Vermont Business Magazine Three Vermont energy efficiency utilities announced Thursday morning a partnership with the state department of Public Service and the Agencies of Natural Resources and Human Resources to offer a $500 incentive to Vermont households for weatherization projects.
The incentive is available for households that bring in less than 120% of the area median income.
“The cheapest and cleanest energy of all is the energy we never have to use, and that’s why we’re so focused on energy efficiency” said Don Rendall, CEO of Vermont Gas. “It’s kind of a triple win for our customers.”
A press release about the incentive said that the utilities; Vermont Gas, Burlington Electric Department and Efficiency Vermont,
Weatherizing a home by improving insulation or weather sealing can dramatically increase a home’s energy efficiency by reducing heat loss through poor insulation or poorly sealed windows and doors. At Sally Ross’ home, where the program was announced, she was projected to have had to spend about $5000 to improve efficiency in her home.
According to the press release, since 2008, the efficiency programs through Vermont Gas, Burlington Electric Department and Efficiency Vermont have helped weatherize more than 10,000 homes.
“I want to thank our energy efficiency utilities for working to help Vermonters overcome barriers to energy efficiency and weatherization programs,” Governor Phil Scott said. “This additional incentive will bolster our collective efforts to allow all Vermonters to make home improvements that save money and help reduce greenhouse gas emissions.”
The plan is for the incentive funding to come from the Thermal Energy and Process Fuels efficiency program, is designated for unregulated fuel use, such as propane, fuel oil, or woody biomass.
“The energy we use in our homes and buildings accounts for 30% of all the energy we consume, which accounts for 24% of our greenhouse gas emissions,” Scott said. “Weatherization is a win-win-win scenario for Vermont families.”
Scott said it seemed a bit counterintuitive for Vermont energy providers to want to increase efficiency because they would sell less of their product, but they step up to do the right thing.
“Many are working together to battle climate change and helping those in need. With opportunities like this, we can take action in a fiscally responsible way, and reduce our carbon footprint,” he said.
Chris Burns, director of energy services at Burlington Electric Department, said BED hopes the weatherization effort will spread across the state.
“We look forward to the partnership, we look forward to getting more work done,” he said.
Ross said she knew her home was cold, but she was surprised by how inefficient her home was when she received an energy audit from Vermont Gas.
“After spending seven years living in the south, I had forgotten what a Vermont winter is like. I signed up for a free energy audit from Vermont Gas to learn what I can do to make my home more efficient,” said Sally Ross, of Burlington. “Thanks to these financial incentive programs, including this extra $500, I'll be able to tighten up my house, save money on heating, and be warmer in the winter.”
Ross said that a key part for her was that Vermont Gas was also helping her find a contractor to do the work needed to improve her home.
“This bonus incentive is a step we can take right now to help more Vermonters, especially those of modest means, invest in making their homes more comfortable, more affordable, and more sustainable for the future,” said Rebecca Foster, Director of Efficiency Vermont “Make no mistake: there is a great deal of work to be done to help Vermonters button up their homes, but we hope that more families will find a comprehensive weatherization project within their reach with this new offer.”