Summer 2022 Program Changes & Reminders

Efficiency Vermont Program Updates & Reminders:

Appliance Recycling program

• Efficiency Vermont’s third annual Appliance Recycling program is back for a limited time through the summer while funding lasts
• Customers can recycle secondary refrigerators, freezers, window air conditioners, mini refrigerators, and dehumidifiers at no cost, and receive cash back in exchange for the working appliance:
  • $50 check for standard-sized secondary refrigerators and freezers
  • $20 check for window air conditioners, dehumidifiers, and mini fridges.
• Customers can sign up for pickup online at this link: https://www.efficiencyvermont.com/rebates/list/appliance-recycling

Home Performance with ENERGY STAR Program

• Home Performance with ENERGY STAR (HPwES) incentives are set to change on 7/1/2022
  • 75% of project costs up to $5,000 for low-to-moderate income customers (anyone at or below 120% of Area Median Income)
  • 75% of project costs up to $2,000 for anyone above 120% of Area Median Income
• Documentation based income verification for low-to-moderate income HPwES customers will launch on 7/1/2022
  • Customers who opt to not undergo this process will be eligible for the base incentive of up to $2,000
• HPwES EEN Contractors will receive more specific information about incentive changes ahead of the launch, including additional information about VGS and BED customers
• Questions about the incentive changes can be directed to Robyn King, [email protected]

New ARPA Programs: Woodstove change out, Advanced Wood Heat System adder & Biodiesel pilot

With increased funding made available through the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) for low- and moderate-income Vermonters (≤120% Area Median Income (AMI); income limits can be found in the table below]) we are releasing the following programs in July/ August 2022.

Please note – ARPA funding requires income verification, including supporting documentation, to qualify customers for program eligibility prior to voucher approval. RERC will partner with a third-party organization to provide this service. Additional information about these programs will be available in July 2022.

• Woodstove change-out (WSCO) program: New incentives for woodstove change-out installations plus support for associated hearth and chimney repair (with new stove installation).
  • Low income (≤80% AMI): 80% of installation cost up to $10,000 with repairs
  • Moderate income (81%-≤120% AMI): 60% of installation cost up to $10,000 with repairs
• Advanced Wood Heating System adder: Additional funds added to existing $3,000 SSREIP incentive for pellet heating systems.
  • Low income (≤80% AMI) - $8,000 adder + $3,000 base SSREIP rebate = $11,000 total
  • Moderate income (81%-≤120% AMI) - $6,000 adder + $3,000 base SSREIP rebate = $9,000 total
• Heating with Biodiesel pilot: The CEDF is developing an income-eligible Biodiesel heating fuel pilot through the SSREIP. The pilot will leverage ARPA funds to provide incentives on a $/gal rate (targeting 33% of current price) for B99 biodiesel and required system inspections for income-qualifying customers (at or below 120% AMI). Ed Delhagen at CEDF is lead for program design.

	Annual household income limit by household size
	1	2	3	4	5	6
Chittenden, Franklin, Grand Isle counties	$90,200	$103,200	$116,000	$128,800	$139,200	$149,600
Addison County	$78,720	$89,880	$101,160	$112,320	$121,320	$130,320
All other VT counties	$78,000	$89,000	$100,200	$111,400	$120,200	$129,200

Weatherization Workforce Development Program

Efficiency Vermont is seeking proposals from professionals or organizations for programs that increase the number of people working in or supporting the weatherization field in Vermont.

Responses to this Request for Proposals (RFP) must be delivered electronically to [email protected] by 5:00 pm EDT on Friday, July 18^th, 2022. Please submit your response with RFP Submittal for Weatherization Workforce Development Program in the subject line.

Questions about the scope of work may be submitted to [email protected] by 5:00 pm EDT on Friday, June 24^th, 2022 and will be posted to the website by Friday, July 8^th.

From our partners:

Green Mountain Power

Cold Climate Heat Pump rebate program

This is a reminder to make sure you are collecting accurate customer data when purchasing and selling cold-climate heat pumps.  When talking with your customer please make sure to confirm their distribution utility provider.  The Green Mountain Power $400 adder must only be applied to Green Mountain Power customers.  You can find an interactive map here of customers electric utility providers.  The Cold-Climate Heat Pump program relies on accurate data from contractors and distributors.   Providing inaccurate data may require program rebate changes in the future. Please reach out with any questions.

For larger residential or commercial projects where the scope calls for the installation of more than one whole building heat pump or more than two zones for mini-splits or air-to-water heat pumps, please reach out to Green Mountain Power for a quick project review. The project may fit into GMPs custom program and qualify for increased incentives beyond the scripted rebates based off the calculated fossil fuel offsets.  Please reach out to GMP at [email protected]

Burlington Electric Department (BED)

• BED continues to offer robust incentives for cold climate heat pumps
  • This includes all ductless and centrally ducted heat pump projects
  • Please visit the BED website to see all available incentives (contractor discounts plus the customer mail-in rebate):  https://www.burlingtonelectric.com/rebates
  • Please send any questions to: [email protected]
• BED and VGS continue weatherization partnership in 2022
  • As heat pumps become more common in Burlington, many buildings are becoming hybrid space heaters (partial electric heat pump and partial natural gas).  BED and VGS recognize that many of these buildings would benefit greatly from professional weatherization upgrades.
  • BED and VGS have developed a streamlined process to provide guidance to customers and split the customer rebate.
  • Customers will receive the same total rebate amount (based on VGS’s current rebate levels) but will get a rebate check from BED and another one from VGS.
  • Please send any questions to: [email protected]