A group of home performance contractors submitted a proposal for Mass Save RCS program redesign at the August 10th EEAC (energy efficiency advisory council) meeting.

The proposal identifies the existing Lead Vendor roll in the Mass Save RCS program as an inhibitor to achieving increased contractor participation, deeper energy savings, and to meeting the cost-effective goals of the Green Communities Act.

Although there has been a lot of discussion from program designers regarding the need for major program design changes for January 2011- when existing Lead Vendor contracts expire-  it was determined that there was too much inaction and gross disparity between what was stated as the intentions of some utility Program Administrators, and what was being actualized in RCS intermediary changes and home performance pilot programs.

The proposal for redesign is meant to be entirely relevant and helpful to the existing process.

It is a working document. It is structured with an understanding of the challenges inherent to providing cost-effective residential energy efficiency services as well as awareness of how other programs have handled similar challenges. The proposed changes in the Mass Save program, if implemented, will carefully open up the retrofit market in Massachusetts using a scalable whole-house approach to achieve deeper energy savings.

Download Mass Save Redesign Proposal and sign the petition here

Now it looks like late September, at the earliest, for the bi-partisan bill to go through with an effective roll-out early winter, the busy season in the Home Performance industry and not a good time to ride the start-up waves of a new federal incentive program for energy retrofits.

Fortunately in Massachusetts we have lots to do to maximize existing Mass Save program opportunities and continue to build our Commercial/Institutional services- a very promising market.

When HOME STAR is ready, Cozy Home Performance will be ready to maximize incentives for Western MA clients. In the meantime I remember the adage that a business model focused on a specific incentive offering is less strong than the one with diverse target markets and broad program involvement.

Under invitation by the Town of Conway School Building Committee, in association with GRL Architects, Cozy Home Performance appreciates the opportunity to design a proposal for the Conway Grammar School renovation project.

The primary focus is to verify the integrity of the building envelope air barrier, that it is continuous throughout and contiguous with thermal boundary. The proposal lists line item work-scope measures that allow for a comparison of multiple mobilizations per zone versus a whole building testing period.

The beautiful 1900s home had a lot of upgrades over the years. Cozy Home Performance was approached by Spring Hill Consulting in Burlington VT to put together a plan and implement the thermal boundary improvement measures. The comprehensive workscope included attic, basement, wall, ventilation, and extensive targeted air-sealing.

Beautiful interior timber framing required comprehensive air-sealing details.

Improving the sill band perimeter and field stone foundation wall are important improvement measures for many homes of this vintage.

Cozy Home Performance is a BPI Accredited firm. As Gold Star approved, we look forward to delivering federal rebates to homeowners in Western MA for comprehensive energy efficiency improvements that achieve 20-50% energy savings.

We encourage all supporters of this important piece of legislation to call their Senator’s office today.

• The Hill post about the bill can be read here.

Full text of the Senate energy bill can be downloaded here:

• The_Clean_Energy_Jobs_and_Oil_Company_Accountability_Act_of_2010

HOME STAR language is on p. 305-382

The Summer 2010 renovation of the Smith College twin dorms, Morris and Lawrence, includes some high performing insulation details by Cozy Home.

Smith College is getting serious about reducing carbon emissions through increasing building performance.

The old structure is complex.

Gary and Brian of Cozy Home discussing some intricate details.

Insulation assemblies using a variety of materials (‘mixed assembly’) are often required in retrofit applications to get the highest performance.

PACE programs are particularly needed in Massachusetts where municipalities, spurred by the Green Communities Act, are eager for useful tools to implement local energy efficiency programs that can successfully leverage well funded utility conservation program such as Mass Save RCS.

This afternoon I received a note from Wayne Feiden, Director of Planning in Northampton that he wants our city to have one of the Commonwealth’s first up and running PACE programs!

As there will be no comprehensive Climate Bill this year, the States must puah for investments in energy efficiency, renewable energy, and mainstream an ethic of conservation.

A great article about this surfaced in the New York Times today:  Regional and State Interests May Dominate Future Climate and Energy Policy

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