Topic: The Energy Efficiency Deli program proposal
Topic type:
Summary of this proposal, and a link to a graphic of its life-cycle.
The Energy Efficiency “Deli Service”
This is a proposal for a municipally local “hub” connecting City property owners to all energy efficiency incentives. The concept of this activity evolved as the Montpelier Energy Team encountered, in recent efficiency projects, many property owners on or near the fence vis-a-vis commiting to weatherization. Aside from early-adopters, a chance inside connection was usually needed to making the leap over cost and intimidation barriers. This proposed service’s function is to mass-produce this inside connection and have it connect immediately to the full “menu” of possible efficiency incentives. Its objective is a break-through of the efficiency-measures market to the mainstream.
DESCRIPTION:
The Energy Efficiency Incentive Deli Service “menu” will allow residents to choose among:
First, in an initial group-education session:
- Weatherization/fuel-switch process overview; why weatherize-first.
- Primer on “Clean Energy Assessment District” municipal financing availability, monthly cost estimate, et al.
- Run-through of state, federal, local incentives.
- Individual incentive calculation worksheets.
- Run-through of other low-cost financing options.
Then, continued contact/consultation providing these services:
- Acquainting participants w/BPI-certified area weatherization providers
- Integrating fuel-switch evaluation into weatherization audit:
- matching customer to proper fuel type for fuel-switch.
- incentives created via purchase of both weatherization and fuel-switch (e.g. weatherization decreases size of needed carbon-neutral heat appliance).
- DIY resources: education as to which weatherization measures can be DIY, making 30-40% overall cost reduction possible; home walk-throughs with Montpelier Energy Team’s “Between The Cracks” experts, in tandem with Efficiency Vermont DIY guide.
- Insulation-choice assessment: e.g., an insulation type can have slightly higher R-value but require much more energy to create.
- Calculation of carbon credits (links to CEAD) for cumulative sale by City.
ACTION ITEMS:
- Establishing the service is a recognized, easily-available local presence -- viasteady, persistent local marketing via regular local print, radio, TV, City newsletters and CAN neighborhood email-lists.
- Developing the material covered in the initial education session, and establishing contact with sources from which reliable updates can be made when necessary.
- Recruiting DIY leaders. A core leader group is established, but may need to be augmented as participation increases.
- Obtaining a regular space in a central, well-known location, for the classroom session.
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