Patrick Administration Expands
Energy Improvements Eligible for Residential Loan Program
BOSTON – Tuesday, May 27, 2014 – The Department of Energy
Resources (DOER) today announced it is providing funding to expand the highly
successful Mass Save® HEAT Loan Program to encourage more residential energy
efficient upgrades and high efficiency renewable heating installations. The
Expanded HEAT Loan Program will provide funding for several types of
improvements not currently eligible in the existing program.
“More homeowners, renters and landlords in Massachusetts
will be able to take advantage of the savings possible through the Mass Save®
programs by accessing zero percent loans for improvements that haven’t been
covered before,” said DOER Commissioner Mark Sylvia. “This residential
financing initiative is just the latest in the Patrick Administration’s
successful work to make energy efficiency our ‘first fuel.’”
The existing HEAT Loan Program provides zero interest loans to
homeowners for qualified energy efficient improvements in Massachusetts homes
and rental properties. It is a partnership between local banks and credit
unions and the Mass Save Sponsors, the state’s investor-owned gas and electric
utilities and energy efficiency service providers. The residential energy
efficiency loan program is one of the largest in the nation, and aims to help
credit-worthy households overcome the initial cost barrier to adopting energy
efficiency upgrades.
The expansion will provide funding for improvements such as:
·
Asbestos abatement to
install energy efficient heating system replacements
·
Wiring upgrades
required by local and state codes to do attic and wall insulation
·
High efficiency wood
pellet boilers
·
Increased loan amounts
for landlord of 2-4 units are doubling from the current $25,000 cap to $50,000
The program’s $3.8 million expansion is funded through DOER
by the U.S. Department of Energy’s American Recovery and Reinvestment Act
(ARRA) State Energy Program funds.
"The HEAT Loan Program is a tremendous incentive for
customers to take the steps necessary to become more efficient," said
Penni Conner, Senior Vice President and Chief Customer Officer for Northeast
Utilities, parent company of NSTAR and WMECo. "With the enhancements to
the program announced today by DOER, we're confident the number of folks taking
action to reduce their energy use will continue to grow."
"Energy Efficiency is one of the most important
resources for meeting the challenges of climate change, so it is fantastic to
see Massachusetts continue to take a leadership role," said Edward White,
vice president of Customer and Business Strategy, National Grid. “For more than
25 years, National Grid has offered innovative energy efficiency services, and
we are proud to work hand-in-hand with the State to enable even more customers
and communities to realize increased value from their energy use."
“Eastern Bank is pleased to participate in the Expanded HEAT
Loan interest buy-down offerings funded by the DOER,” said Ken Dyment, Senior
Vice President. “We’re confident that our customers will find the added
features helpful in rounding out their energy upgrade projects.”
In 2013, Massachusetts HEAT Loan lenders issued more than
$88 million in individual energy efficiency loans to more than 9,000 customers.
Since the program was created in 2006, it has led to the financing of more than
$320 million in energy efficiency loans, serving over 35,000 households.
The Patrick Administration’s aggressive initiatives have
made Massachusetts a leader in energy efficiency. The American Council for an
Energy Efficient Economy (ACEEE) has named Massachusetts number one for three
years running. The 2013-2015
Statewide Three-Year Energy Efficiency Plans are expected to deliver energy
benefits of nearly $9 billion to residents, businesses, and state and local
governments based on an investment of $2.25 billion.
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