Somerville Road to Net Zero (R2NZ)

Steps everyone can take: 

Want to better understand your energy bill? Sign up for an Energy Bill Check-up using this form.

Are you on Somerville’s Community Choice Electricity Program? This program provides stable electricity rates through January 2028. If you are not already auto-enrolled, you can sign up at cce.somervillema.gov - the 100% Local Green option is 100% renewable energy!

Do you know how efficient your home is? Get a free energy audit. To sign up for a no-cost Mass Save Home Energy Assessment, call (617) 329-4825 or visit www.MassSave.com/Somerville

Do you have questions or need support? Somerville has an Energy Advisor who can help! Reach out with any home energy questions. Fill out this form to receive a call and/or email directly.

This webpage focuses on residential buildings that have one to four units. For 5+ unit buildings, see this page. For small businesses, see this page.

What can you do as a renter? Plenty! 

Choose your electric supplier

Sign up for Somerville’s Community Choice Aggregation program if you are not already auto-enrolled. This program provides stable electricity rates through January 2028. Go to cce.somervillema.gov for more information. Choose your tier depending on your preference for both cost and percent of renewable energy. The 100% Local Green option is all renewable energy. Find out if you’re already part of the Community Choice program by looking at your electricity bill. If you are, the Energy Supplier will be “Direct Energy - City of Somerville.”

Find assistance

If you need help paying your energy bills, check if you qualify for the discount rate, fuel assistance, or other programs. See the Income Eligible Programs below.

Inform your landlord about free resources

Advocate to your landlord to take advantage of resources from Mass Save. You can take the lead on scheduling a no-cost Mass Save Home Energy Assessment. Find out if your home qualifies for free or heavily discounted weatherization (insulation and air sealing) upgrades.

Inform your landlord about the Save Energy Somerville Microgrant Program - offering $2,000 in addition to Mass Save incentives for landlords to improve rental units. More information in the Microgrant section below. 

Make your home as energy efficient as possible

Make these 20 Renter-Friendly Changes (That Property Owners Can Do, Too!)

*Please note: Consult your lease, landlord, and/or property manager before making any changes in your home or apartment. Do not attempt to install or fix appliances such as thermostats or heating systems on your own. Always read product manuals and instructions.*

1. Use curtains or blinds to help regulate the indoor temperature by adjusting them throughout the day based on the position of the sun and desired indoor temperature.
2. Lock your windows to help prevent air leaks.
3. Purchase and install insulated shades, such as cellular shades, to further insulate your home.
4. Install door sweeps and plastic wrap on the windows to minimize air leaks. You can purchase door sweeps or make your own!
5. Install and utilize a programmable thermostat (if you don’t have one, Mass Save offers one for no-cost during the Home Energy Assessment). For example, you can set the thermostat to lower the temperature automatically when you go to sleep or leave for work, and higher for when you wake up or come home.
6. If possible, set your water heater for 120 degrees to reduce the amount of fuel used to heat the water.
7. When possible, do full loads of laundry, wash in cold water, and hang to dry.
8. If you can’t air-dry your clothes, try switching loads while the dryer is still warm. Dry fabrics with similar weights together to minimize drying time.
9. Install faucet aerators and low-flow showerheads. Mass Save can install these on qualifying fixtures at no-cost during the Home Energy Assessment.
10. Keep your refrigerator full (full fridges don’t use as much energy to run). If there’s not enough food to keep it full, you can fill a pitcher with water and place it on the shelf.
11. Plug in electronics to smart power strips that kill phantom-charges. Up to two power strips may be provided by Mass Save for no-cost during the Home Energy Assessment.
12. Turn off and/or unplug appliances that are not in use.
13. Purchase small ENERGY STAR-rated appliances when possible.
14. Use high efficiency LED bulbs, especially on the lights used most often, such as kitchen and bathroom lights.
15. Move furniture and obstructions away from vents and radiators so that heating, cooling, and air flow are not obstructed.
16. Move heat-creating devices away from the thermostat to ensure that it gets a more accurate reading of the zone’s temperature.
17. Check and clean or replace air filter regularly and talk to your landlord/tenants about conducting an annual tune-up.
18. When washing dishes, fill the sink with water instead of letting it run.
19. When using the dishwasher, scrape dishes before loading, run full loads, and use the “no heat” option to dry.
20. Adjust your indoor clothing style and function based on the weather.

Additional Resources

• Mass Save for Renters: https://www.masssave.com/residential/for-renters
• Eversource Energy Savings for Renters: https://www.eversource.com/residential/save-money-energy/energy-savings-tips-tools/renters
• Massachusetts Clean Energy Center Resources for Renters: https://goclean.masscec.com/renters/

Property owners have a crucial role to play in the energy transition. Reduce climate pollution and prepare your home for the future by electrifying. Plan early for equipment replacement, and consider how to decarbonize (in other words, stop using fossil fuels like oil and gas) by addressing one system at a time.

For most people, the best place to start is by scheduling a no-cost Mass Save Home Energy Assessment. You can complete one every two years (or five years if on fuel assistance). The assessment will qualify you for various rebates and incentives. To schedule, call (617) 329-4825 or visit www.MassSave.com/Somerville

Explore upgrade options below. For additional support, reach out to Somerville’s Energy Advisor using this form.

Homes may require electrical upgrades to support some of these technologies. Have you looked into switching the appliances in your home, rental property, or commercial business to be all-electric, only to discover you need to install an expensive transformer to power the electric appliances? Help the City of Somerville build a map of public interest in electric distribution system upgrades - fill out this electrification questionnaire.

Financial Resources for Home Energy Efficiency Improvements

• Save Energy Somerville Microgrant Program
• HEAT Loan from Mass Save: https://www.masssave.com/residential/rebates-offers-services/financing
• Energy Saver Home Loan from Massachusetts Community Climate Bank: https://www.masshousing.com/mass-community-climate-bank/energy-saver-home-loan

Additional Resources

• Mass Save - Home Electrification: https://www.masssave.com/en/about-us/electrification/residential
• Mass Save for Homeowners: https://www.masssave.com/en/get-started/homeowners
• Mass Save for Landlords of 1- to 4-unit properties: https://www.masssave.com/en/multi-family/energy-assessments/landlords-with-1-4-unit-properties
• Massachusetts Clean Energy Center for Landlords: https://goclean.masscec.com/landlords/
• Somerville’s Community Climate Action Plan: https://www.somervillema.gov/departments/programs/climate-forward

Weatherize

Weatherization means insulation, air sealing, and other improvements to the walls, roofs, windows, and around the foundation of your home. When a home is weatherized well, it’s not as drafty, and it stays warm during the winter and cool during the summer. Weatherization will save you money on your energy bill regardless of the type of heating and cooling systems you have! It’s the best place to start to improve the energy performance of your home.

To get discounted pricing on weatherization, work with a Mass Save Home Performance Contractor or take advantage of the Direct Weatherization pathway. Some residents may qualify for free weatherization upgrades through Mass Save.

Additional Resources

• Mass Save Incentives for Weatherization: https://www.masssave.com/en/residential/rebates-offers-services/insulation-and-windows
• Mass Save Home Performance Contractors: https://www.masssave.com/en/residential/find-a-contractor/find-a-contractor-hpc
• Direct Weatherization Contractors: https://www.masssave.com/en/residential/find-a-contractor/find-a-direct-weatherization-contractor

Upgrade Appliances

Receive rebates for high-efficiency appliances such as heat pump water heaters, induction stoves, clothes washers, dryers, and more.

Additional Resources

• Mass Save Heat Pump Water Heater Rebate: https://www.masssave.com/en/residential/rebates-offers-services/water-heating/heat-pump-water-heaters
• Mass Save Appliance Rebates: https://www.masssave.com/en/residential/rebates-offers-services/appliances-and-products
• Energy Star: https://www.energystar.gov/
• Massachusetts Clean Energy Center - Heat Pump Water Heater: https://goclean.masscec.com/homeowners/heat-pump-water-heater/

 

Update HVAC

Air source heat pumps are systems for both heating and cooling that use electricity, fans, and the refrigeration cycle (the same principle that keeps your fridge cold) to move heat into or out of a home. They are highly efficient and modern cold climate heat pumps can still produce heat in subzero temperatures.

If you have questions about upgrading your HVAC system to heat pumps, consider booking a no-cost virtual Decarbonization Consultation from Mass Save. Schedule a video call with a technical specialist here: https://www.masssave.com/residential/rebates-offers-services/decarbonization-consultations

Tips for Sucessful Heat Pump Projects

• Get multiple quotes.
• Make sure the contractor you choose is licensed and goes through the proper permitting process.
• Maximize incentives by converting your whole home heating system.
• Ask if a Manual J calculation has been done to estimate the heating load, or if not, what the process is for sizing equipment correctly.
• Make sure the equipment selected is on the Mass Save Qualified Products list (see link in Additional Resources below).

Discount Heat Pump Electric Rate

After installing heat pumps, you can take advantage of the seasonal discounted heat pump electric rate through Eversource: https://www.eversource.com/residential/account-billing/manage-bill/about-your-bill/rates-tariffs/heat-pump-rate

Additional Resources

• Mass Save Heat Pump Incentives: https://www.masssave.com/en/residential/rebates-offers-services/heating-and-cooling/heat-pumps/air-source-heat-pumps
• Mass Save qualified contractor list (there are three categories, scroll down for heat pump contractors): https://www.masssave.com/residential/find-a-contractor
• Heat Pump Installers Resource from Electrify Arlington: Heat Pump Installers
• Local Market Research from Laminar Collective: https://laminarcollective.substack.com/
• Ground Source Heat Pumps: https://www.masssave.com/residential/rebates-offers-services/heating-and-cooling/heat-pumps/ground-source-heat-pumps

Choose Renewable Energy

Choose Renewables via Your Electric Supplier

If you haven’t already, check your electric supplier. If you need help, request an Energy Bill Checkup using this form. Ensure your electric supply is 100% renewable by choosing the 100% Local Green Option from Somerville’s Community Choice Aggregation program. Learn more and enroll here: https://cce.somervillema.gov/

Eight Steps to Going Solar in Somerville

• See if your home is solar ready with an online tool such as Google Project Sunroof.
• Educate yourself. Solar photovoltaics (PV) convert sunlight into electrical energy through solar panels connected to an electrical system, or to the electrical grid. Check our Massachusetts Clean Energy Center How It Works diagram to learn more.
• Shop around and select an installer.
  • Purchasing vs. Leasing: If you are purchasing the system, you will receive full incentive values for the energy your produce through net-metering. The owner should expect to recoup the value of the system several years after the system is turned on. If you decide to sign a lease or power-purchase agreement, a customer pays for the solar power system over a period of about 15-30 years, rather than in an up-front payment. Often customers can purchase solar for little or no money down, and often realize energy savings immediately. In a power-purchase agreement, a customer agrees to purchase all the energy from a solar system over a fixed period of time.
• Apply for Permits from the City. View the Solar Permit Checklist and submit permit requests online through CitizenServe. Your installer will typically be the one to do this.
• Install the system.
• Schedule a final inspection through the City of Somerville. Your installer will typically be the one to do this.
• Request permission to operate from the utility (Eversource).
• Your system is interconnected!

For Condo Owners

These resources may be helpful:

• Going Solar for Multi-unit Owners (slide 15 onward focuses on multi-family buildings): https://www.slideshare.net/slideshow/solar-102-going-solar-for-multiunit-owners-condoowners-and-landlords-65088579/65088579
• DOER’s Solar Guide for Condominium Owners and Associations: https://www.cesa.org/wp-content/uploads/A-Solar-Guide-for-Condominium-Owners-and-Associations.pdf

Additional Resources

• Massachusetts Clean Energy Center - Solar Electricity: https://goclean.masscec.com/homeowners/solar-electricity/
• Mass Save Solar Overview: https://www.masssave.com/solar
• Statewide Solar Incentive Program, SMART: https://www.mass.gov/solar-massachusetts-renewable-target-smart
• Massachusetts Clean Energy Center - Community Solar: https://goclean.masscec.com/homeowners/community-solar/

Energy Storage, EVs, and More

Participate in Connected Solutions: Residential and small business participants can earn up to $1,500 annually with eligible battery storage systems. Smart thermostat users can get upfront enrollment incentives and seasonal rewards. Find more information on the Mass Save website. There is a state-level rebate for electric vehicles via the MOR-EV program. 

You can find more information about this rebate on the MOR-EV website: https://mor-ev.org/

 A guide on the right to charge law: https://ene.org/ev-right-to-charge/

Fuel Assistance

• If you currently receive Fuel Assistance, live in a 1-4 unit building, and are interested in receiving no-cost or discounted home energy services, contact Community Action Program Intercity, Inc. (CAPIC) at 617-884-6130 (press option 1) or visit the state Weatherization Assistance Program website. Spanish language services available. The Low-Income Energy Affordability Network (LEAN) Multifamily program is available for larger buildings but requires the landlord to enroll.
• If you want to apply for Fuel Assistance, a program that offers no-cost assessments and heavily discounted weatherization and heating system upgrades, contact the Winter Heating Fuel Assistance Program at 617-349-6252 x 02139.

Utility Discount Rates and Payment Plans

• Eversource and National Grid offer discount rates for energy for eligible customers. Contact your utility provider to discuss payment plans.
• For assistance with applying for discount rates or special discounts, please contact your utility company, City Social Workers at the Health and Human Services department (for residents 18-59 years old), or at the Council on Aging (ages 60 and above).

Additional Resources

• Mass Save Enhanced Rebates and Incentives: Mass Save offers additional incentives for income-eligible Massachusetts residents on qualified energy upgrades.
  • https://www.masssave.com/residential/rebates-offers-services/income-based-offers/save-with-enhanced-incentives
• Department of Energy Resources Barrier Mitigation Grants
  • The Massachusetts Department of Energy Resources funds grants for qualifying customers of Mass Save that encounter barriers to completing weatherization or heating upgrades. Barriers include knob-and-tube wiring and vermiculite.
• City of Somerville Income-eligible Home Improvement Programs
  • The City of Somerville Housing Division offers assistance for home improvement to qualifying income-eligible property owners and tenants. Assistance may be combined with other rebates.
  • Read more about the Home Improvement Program

The Save Energy Somerville program invites owners of Somerville-based residential rental units in buildings with 2-4 units to apply to receive $2,000 for qualified energy projects.

About the Program:

The Save Energy Somerville program intends to improve the energy performance of rental homes in Somerville. This is a grant-funded effort supported by the Massachusetts Clean Energy Center offered by the City of Somerville Division of Sustainability and Environment. It is designed to benefit property owners and renters in small multifamily (2-4 unit) buildings by providing supplemental funding for Mass Save eligible projects. Microgrant awards of $2,000 each are available for 25 rental units in Somerville.

Benefits may include:

• Improving rental properties
• Maximizing state incentives for upgrades
• Creating a cleaner, safer environment

More Information:

• One-Page Eligibility Guide
• Program Information Packet

Application and Forms

• Application Form
• Document Upload Form
• Tenant Income Affidavit
• Grant Recipient Agreement will be sent if your application is conditionally accepted

Schedule a no-cost Mass Save Home Energy Assessment: call (617) 329-4825 or visit www.MassSave.com/Somerville

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