Governor Donald L. Carcieri and the Office of Energy Resources today announced that National Grid has been awarded a $2.3 million Recovery Act grant to offer consumer incentives for residents who heat their homes with propane and oil to make energy efficiency improvements. Under this program, residents who heat with oil and propane will be able to request a free home energy assessment through National Grid’s EnergyWise program. The home energy assessment will recommend weatherization measures that may include: insulation of attics, walls, floors, ducts and pipes, air and duct sealing, attic ventilation, installation of programmable thermostats, the replacement of heating systems over 15 years old, and/or the replacement of water heaters over 10 years old.
Once the home energy assessment is complete, residents will be able to select a contractor to perform any of the weatherization measures that were recommended after the National Grid energy assessment. Upon completion of the work, residents will be eligible to receive rebates on 25% of the total cost of recommended energy efficiency improvements for a maximum of $2,250 per home. This program will not pay to switch the fuel that is used to heat a home.
“Providing help for the forty percent of Rhode Islanders that heat with deliverable fuels to weatherize their homes will play a significant role in making our state more energy efficient,” said Governor Donald L. Carcieri. “Existing incentives through the EnergyWise program have not reached this population in the past. Providing opportunities for all Rhode Islanders to keep warm and save money is an important and worthwhile investment.”
National Grid Vice President of Energy Products Edward H. White said, “National Grid is pleased to partner with the Office of Energy Resources and extend this utility-based program to Rhode Island customers. Energy efficiency is one of the best ways our customers can simultaneously save money and help protect the environment. We hope the program will be well-received by the community and that many will participate."
The program, scheduled to begin August 3, 2010, can be accessed by calling EnergyWise at 1-888-633-7947