We are regularly reviewing both on a federal and state level if more financial incentives, rebates and tax credits become available. These incentives can be substantial and directly help our clients afford energy efficiency retrofits that solve comfort comforts, save money and provide for better indoor air quality. If you need help navigating available incentives for energy efficiency upgrades do not hesitate to contact us.
Cozy Home provides Mass Save services for all Western MA utilities
We are a Home Performance Contractor (HPC) partner with WMECO, Columbia Gas, and Berkshire Gas and can help secure financial incentives for these customers. For National Grid customers we are an Independent Insulation Contractor (IIC) and can be your selected project contractor. To begin your home energy retrofit project it begins with scheduling a Home Performance Assessment, followed by report – incentive value – proposal – contract – job completion. Our specialty is comprehensive energy retrofits and home performance improvements that are designed to significantly improve the quality of living in your home: Health, Comfort and Savings. We believe that improved comfort, indoor air quality, and building durability are equally important to long term energy savings.
Mass Save Energy Efficiency Incentives Include:
Mass Save is the rate-payer funded utility energy efficiency program. It applies to single family up to four unit multi-family dwellings. Cozy Home Performance is a participating air sealing and insulation contractor with the Mass Save program. We can work with you to get the most value from your Mass Save incentives.
- Partial incentive towards comprehensive home energy assessment: $125 Columbia Gas, $175 WMECO
(not offered by National Grid) - Up to 8 hours of program sponsored air sealing (approx. $700 value)
- 75% up to $2,000 for approved insulation measures
- 0% financing up to $25,000 for qualifying measures. Great for heat plant, hot water upgrades, and replacement of single pane windows. Also, up to $2,000 can be applied towards the removal of knob and tube wiring and asbestos pipe wrap.
- Free compact florescent light bulbs, programmable thermostats, low flow shower heads, etc.
The Holyoke Gas & Electric (HG&E)
The Holyoke Gas & Electric (HG&E) Residential Energy Efficiency Program provides residential customers with loans to help make energy saving improvements on eligible homes. The loan provides 0% interest assistance and is repayable over up to 5 years and charged to the customer’s monthly HG&E bill. Total loan amount is capped at $5,000.
Find out more here.
Federal Residential Energy Efficiency Tax Credits
The American Taxpayer Relief Act of 2012 retroactively renewed this tax credit effective January 1, 2012, expiring again on December 31, 2013. Any qualified equipment/insulation installed in 2012 or 2013 is eligible for this credit. As in previous years, the cumulative maximum amount of tax credit that can be claimed by a taxpayer in all years combined is $500. If a taxpayer has already claimed a tax credit of $500 for purchases made in any previous year, they are ineligible for additional tax credits for any new equipment purchases.
Owners of existing homes may receive a tax credit worth 10% of the cost of upgrading the efficiency of the building’s envelope. Installation (labor) costs are not included and the credit is capped at $500 for all improvements.
Eligible Efficiency Technologies: Water Heaters, Furnaces , Boilers, Heat pumps, Central Air conditioners, Building Insulation, Windows, Roofs, Circulating fans used in a qualifying furnace. The 30% tax credit for the installation of solar energy systems, wind turbines and geothermal heat pumps is available through 2016.
A complete listing of state energy efficiency incentives can be found at: DSIRE (data base for state / federal renewables and efficiency)
Gas Networks Rebate Info
Columbia Gas, Berkshire Gas and National Grid (MA only) are offering very generous rebates for high efficiency heating and hot water equipment. Rebates range depending upon appliance and fuel type from $100 – $1,500. Even HRVs and boiler reset controls can receive rebates. With these rebates, installing a high efficiency system that is properly sized to meet the heating and hot water needs of your household makes a lot of sense.
But, you must remember that the most energy efficient improvements to make first are upgrades to the thermal boundary of your home. Improving insulation performance and the air barrier continuity will provide hte greatest savings by containing the heat you are paying for. Then the second most important efficiency measures are upgrades to heat plant appliances. In other words, its best to look at the building as a system. Heating/cooling system upgrades integrated with energy retrofit of thermal boundary will provide maximum savings and comfort. Using the Heat Loan in conjunction with the heat appliance rebates is a great way to finance these investments.
Download GasRebates-2011 Rebate Application [pdf]
Massachusetts Multi-family- 5 units and up
The level of incentive varies by utility and begins with the assessment process. We have experience with all Western MA utility companies. Contact us to find out how we can work with you to achieve optimal rebates and incentives.
Massachusetts Commercial/Industrial/ Institutional- small and large
Incentives and rebates vary by utility. Contact us and tell us about your project.
Low Interest Financing
Several local lending institutions have created special low interest loans for energy efficiency projects.
UMASS 5 – College Credit Union Energy Loan
Many local banks also participate in the Heat Loan offered through Mass Save. The loan has 0% financing for seven years and is capped at $25,000 for qualifying measures. Great for heat plant and hot water upgrades, replacement of single pane windows and insulation upgrades. Also, up to $2,000 can be applied towards the removal of knob and tube wiring and asbestos pipe wrap.
