eTown Meeting offers one-stop shopping for energy
FAIR HAVEN–Energy experts on efficiency, heat pumps, weatherization and solar are joining forces at the Fair Haven Town Hall to offer local residents instant energy advice, special offers and same-day home visits to save people money and reduce environmental impacts right away.
Through the first ever eTown Meeting, Green Mountain Power, Efficiency Vermont and the HEAT Squad will be available from noon to 6 p.m. for one-on-one consultation with local residents and business owners, in partnership with the Town of Fair Haven.
“This is what our energy future looks like–partnering together to simplify the steps to help Vermonters save money, reduce energy use and be more comfortable,” said Betsy Bloomer, who runs GMP’s Energy Innovation Center in Rutland. “We are so excited to offer the latest innovations that will empower customers to take control of their energy use.”
The eTown Meeting at Fair Haven is the first of a series that will be rolled out in other towns and is an offshoot of GMP’s making Rutland the “Solar Capital of New England and the Energy City of the Future.”
“Much of what we have learned through our eHome and eBiz programs to help Rutland residents are proven and we can now implement them in other communities, giving them benefits we’ve developed through our Rutland pilots,” Bloomer said.
Customers can learn about, and sign up for, weatherization and efficiency measures, heat pumps and heat pump hot water heaters, the Tesla PowerWall, small-scale solar, no-cost installations, low-cost financing, and other innovations that can save time, energy and money.
“This is a significant opportunity for Fair Haven residents and businesses, and we encourage them to take advantage of it,” Town Manager Herb Durfee said.
The HEAT Squad will be available to set up detailed audits, while Efficiency Vermont will have information on multiple efficiency programs, including the PACE Program, for which Fair Haven is in the process of becoming eligible, as well as low-interest financing for businesses through the Business Energy Loan.
PACE is a unique financing program that helps homeowners pay for energy efficiency and renewable energy projects. PACE allows homeowners to finance projects up to $30,000 for as long as 20 years. The financing is tied to the property, not a person, so if a homeowner moves, the new owners can take over the remainder of payments while also enjoying the benefits of the energy improvements.
The HEAT Squad provides comprehensive energy audits and advice, with access to state incentives for home and business owners in Addison, Bennington, Rutland, Windham and Windsor counties and neighboring towns. The in-house and statewide Neighborworks of Western Vermont’s Energy Loan, which is available with on-bill payment for GMP customers with interest rates of 0 percent to 4.99 percent depending on the terms and income, can be used for a variety of efficiency upgrades, including weatherization, renewables, upgraded heating systems, the Tesla PowerWall, and building shell improvements, including windows, doors, roofing, siding and foundation repairs.
For more information, call 1-802-770-4088.
