How Efficiency Programs, Utilities, and Manufacturers Can Accelerate the COVID-19 Rebound
Whole house home performance is a hard sell. Now, thanks to COVID-19, the hurdle is raised higher: homeowners are reluctant to invite us into their homes. And, for good measure, we face an economy more uncertain than at any time in our lives.
We’ve long said that the most effective formula for generating demand is when contractors, efficiency programs, utilities, and manufacturers play as a team. With hope on the horizon for being allowed back in homes, there has never been a more important time for measures to accelerate the rebound.
In Energy Circle’s experience working with contractors, utilities, and manufacturers across the country, efficiency programs are most effective at creating demand at the top of the funnel— by building up the fundamental awareness of home performance benefits, and moving the market to take action from the top down.
Boiled down, here’s what works:
(1) Easy to understand, aggressive incentives
(2) Low cost financing
In our view, these measures are our best hope for overcoming the health fears and economic headwinds our industry faces.
Programs, utilities, and manufacturers: the market needs you now more than ever. (Note: we fully support the Building Performance Association’s Hope4Homes federal legislation, but are wary about its chances in this political environment.)
Blockbuster initiatives are starting to appear around the country. On this page, we’ll be doing our best to keep track of exceptional incentives and financing created specifically for COVID-19:
NYSERDA (NY state energy authority)
0% interest financing for 15 years
Eversource (CT, MA, NH utility)
100% off the cost of insulation and air sealing improvements + elevated rebates
Mass Save (MA Energy Program)
An enhanced 100% incentive on future installation work https://www.masssave.com/en/covid19-update/customer-resources
Daikin (Manufacturer)
No payments 18 months, then converts to long term low interest loan, plus up to $1800 cash back.