Is your home or small business too cold in the winter or too hot in the summer? Do you want to save money on your energy bills? Want to solve those problems AND help Worcester go green? Worcester's Smart Energy Advice program can help.
Energy Advocate
New Service: Book a no-cost 30-minute appointment with our Energy Advocate - Book Appointment
You can talk to the city's Energy Advocate (over email, phone or in person) about your energy questions and get advice about how to access energy saving programs*. Whether you own or rent – you can get your questions answered about the process and learn how to:
- Sign up for a no-cost energy assessment that will also provide recommendations.
- If you decide to implement the recommendations - apply for Mass Save incentives and rebates, and the 0% HEAT Loan.
- Understand your energy bill including the Green Worcester ElectriCITY Aggregation Program. If you're income-eligible, how to get the discount rate.
- Get started with solar (both rooftop and community options).
- Access related resources as needed: Worcester Community Action Council, Worcester Community Housing Resources, and Worcester Lead Abatement Program.
To get started, visit this website (Mass Save | Community First | Worcester) or call the city’s Energy Advocate at 508-372-8389.
*Massachusetts is one of the most energy-efficient states in the nation, due in large part to the Mass Save® programs, which are supported by a utility energy efficiency charge that we all pay on our gas and electric bills. Through Smart Energy Advice, we help residents and small business owners access programs funded by these fees.
Energy Efficiency Incentives & Rebates
(Depending on income level)
Mass Save incentives and rebates are income based. Check out the income chart to figure out which of the three income categories apply to you. They incentives and rebates may include:
- Insulation: 75%-100% off approved insulation upgrades (and no-cost air sealing improvements) that improve year-round comfort and reduce your heating and cooling costs by an average of 20%.
- Heating/Cooling: No cost (for income-eligible residents) and up to $16,000 in rebates for heat pumps per dwelling that heat and cool your home.
- 0% financing: Up to $25,000 for qualifying projects (depending on the lender and project type)
- No-cost energy-saving products: programmable thermostats, water-saving devices and advanced power strips.
Residents (owners or renters) who qualify as low-income (below 60% of the median income in the state) may be eligible for additional programs and utility bill assistance through the Worcester Community Action Council website or by calling 508-754-1176 (not via the main Mass Save website).
The federal government also offers home energy tax credits and rebates for projects like updating your HVAC systems, installing new efficiency windows, weatherization work and much more. This website has a great tool for calculating your personalized incentives (both federal rebates and tax credits) based on your income and household size.
Solar - Know Where To Start
Are you interested in powering your house with a cleaner source of electricity but don't know where to start? As part of Worcester's Smart Energy Advice program, you can get multiple solar quotes for free from pre-vetted, reputable installers servicing Worcester through our partner, EnergySage. This can help simplify the process for both homeowners and renters. By going through the EnergySage portal:
- You could save up to 20% on total system cost compared to market rate (if purchasing the panels).
- You'll get assigned a dedicated EnergySage Energy Advisor to answer your questions with no high-pressure sales tactics.
- You'll be able to compare all your quotes in a side-by-side, apples-to-apples comparison format.
- You don't need to enter a phone number when registering for quotes.
While renters do not control the property where they live, they can participate in the solar energy market in addition to saving 5-15% on their electric bills annually (up to 25% for income eligible participants) by signing up for a local community solar farm (via virtual solar energy credits).
Learn more about solar:
- The cost of solar panels in Worcester
- Rooftop solar calculator
- Complete rooftop solar panel buying guide
- Complete community solar guide
For more information about Smart Energy Advice, email us at energyadvice@worcesterma.gov.
Resources
Contact Information
Address
Sustainability and Resilience
51 Sever Street Worcester, MA 01609
Mailing Address: 455 Main Street
Worcester, MA 01608
Contact
Phone: 508-799-8324
Email Us
Hours
By Appointment
Monday - Friday
8:30 a.m. - 5 p.m.