Big incentive increase to help weatherize more Vermont homes
WInooski, VT
It may be the middle of summer, but Vermont families know winter is always coming. New incentives from Efficiency Vermont that cover up to 75% of a comprehensive home weatherization may help keep thoughts of winter at bay a little longer.
Available to income-qualified Vermont households making less than 120% of area median income (most Vermont households), the incentive covers 75% (previously 50%) of the project cost up to $5,000 (previously $3,000), to lower their cost of a contractor-led project to improve air sealing and insulation. The upfront cost of these projects is a barrier for many people in Vermont, preventing them from being able to lower their heating costs, improve the comfort and health of their homes, and reduce their carbon footprints.
Efficiency Vermont predicts the increase weatherization incentive could result in an additional 600 homes getting weatherized through 2023, through Efficiency Vermont’s weatherization program.
The funding for the incentive increase is possible because of action taken by the Vermont Legislature and Gov. Phil Scott, allocating federal American Rescue Plan Act dollars to Efficiency Vermont for weatherization programs. In 2021, the State of Vermont allocated $5 million in federal American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds to Efficiency Vermont for low-to-moderate income weatherization. In 2022, the State allocated a further $35M in ARPA funds for low-to-moderate-income weatherization.
“Investing in weatherization has been a priority for my Administration because it accomplishes several important objectives, like combatting climate change, making Vermont more affordable, and enhancing the health and wellbeing of our residents,” said Governor Scott. “By investing these dollars into Efficiency Vermont’s weatherization program, we’re able to make home ownership more affordable for hundreds of families through lower energy costs, while also making strides to lower Vermont’s greenhouse gas emissions and make our housing stock more resilient.”
“On behalf of our customers, Efficiency Vermont is grateful to Governor Scott and Vermont legislators for their vision to invest in weatherization and help hundreds of families who struggle to keep their homes warm,” said Peter Walke, Director of Efficiency Vermont. “Many Vermonters were already struggling with energy costs before fuel prices reached record highs. Weatherization makes homes more comfortable, decreases costs, can improve health, and is a critical part of the State’s efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. If you’ve thought of weatherizing your home in the past but were discouraged by the cost, I encourage you to contact Efficiency Vermont and explore the possibilities with us.”
Vermonters with household incomes under 80 percent of AMI may be able to access free weatherization services through the Weatherization Assistance Program, which also received ARPA funds. More information is available through the Vermont Agency of Human Services.
About Efficiency Vermont
As the nation’s first Energy Efficiency Utility, Efficiency Vermont has helped Vermont avoid over 13 million metric tons of greenhouse gas emissions and has received the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s ENERGY STAR program Partner of the Year – Sustained Excellence award for the last seven consecutive years. Efficiency Vermont works with partners to help our state transition to more affordable, low carbon energy use through education, incentives, and support for our clean energy workforce. Learn more at www.efficiencyvermont.com, or calling our Customer Support team at 1-(888) 921-5990.
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About Efficiency Vermont
As the nation’s first Energy Efficiency Utility, Efficiency Vermont has helped Vermont avoid over 13.2 million metric tons of greenhouse gas emissions and has received the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s ENERGY STAR program Partner of the Year – Sustained Excellence award for the last eight consecutive years. Efficiency Vermont works with partners to help our state transition to more affordable, low carbon energy use through education, incentives, and support for our clean energy workforce. Learn more at www.efficiencyvermont.com.
Efficiency Vermont Press Contact
Matthew Smith
Phone: (802) 540-7662
[email protected]