DOER announces $2.6mill grant for Western MA energy retrofit benchmarking and research and development
The grant is to develop and showcase building efficiency technologies that achieve deeper energy savings, or as Secretary Bowles called them, “extreme energy makeovers,”. As reported on the DOER website, this grant for six communities in the greater Springfield area will build on the efforts of MA electric and gas utilities. DOER reports that 2,725 homes will be served from the grant funding.
One interesting point of the announcement is that “deep energy retrofits” are referred to as projects achieving 20% or more modeled energy savings. If this is not a typo, it reflects a big shift in how the State is defining deep energy retrofits.
On that point, I find the term ‘deep energy retrofit’ to be inconsequential. It is important to push the envelope (no pun intended) and maximize energy savings, and to create a buzz about high cost projects so they make into mainstream vernacular. However, there are many more homes where it is feasible to achieve 30% energy savings, not 50-70%. Optimizing the performance of the thermal envelope, without expensive wall build-outs or renewable energy systems, should be prioritized as the main target of grant monies to demonstrate the next generation of energy efficiency. A high performing envelope- consisting of complete vapor and air barriers, and substantial insulation levels- can be designed and implemented practically with existing technology. Assembly design, with building-science guiding the way, is an important aspect of reaching the 30% target. An integrated building retrofit design includes the health and comfort of the building occupants as well as the energy efficiency.
Cozy Home Performance just so happens to strive for the 30% energy savings target. It is a challenge to verify that specific targets are met. We always use diagnostics to verify the air barrier and insulation is performing as intended, but energy modeling takes time and costs more money- a difficult thing to sell to the homeowner.
It will be exciting to see how the DOE grant supports benchmarking and modeling to help make the case for retrofits achieving deep energy savings- 20% or 70%. Cozy Home Performance hopes to get an opportunity to demonstrate the effectiveness and practicality of the 30% target.
Read the DOER announcement of the DOE grant for Western MA communities
Excerpt from the DOER press release:
In Massachusetts, the DOE grant will leverage private sector funding to support a three-year program designed to achieve significant energy savings through energy modeling and benchmarking, consumer outreach, contractor management, policy development and innovative financing. The objective, according to DOE, “is to create a sustainable transformation in the market for home energy improvements.”
In addition to receiving state-of-the-art energy efficiency services, often referred to as “deep energy retrofits” (resulting in over 20 percent energy savings), the 2,725 participating homes will earn energy ratings similar to MPG ratings for cars and trucks, which can be featured in real estate listings to add value to upgraded homes.
