WEATHERIZE PLAINFIELD & CORNISH 2023 is the third program from our Energy Committees to help residents save money, stay warm, and reduce their energy usage by weatherizing their homes. Weatherize Plainfield & Cornish is also a key component in our Towns' campaign to reach 100% renewable electricity by 2030, followed by 100% renewable transportation, heating and cooling by 2050. Improved energy efficiency, achievable through weatherization, is crucial to achieving these goals.
What does it mean to Weatherize my home?
Weatherizing your home involves making physical home improvements, such as insulation and air sealing, to reduce energy costs, improve comfort, and resolve issues such as ice dams, moisture, mold, cold spots and drafts. Improvements often focus on basement and attic areas.
How do I Weatherize my home?
Your first step is to identify and hire a specialized contractor who will perform an energy audit to assess your home's current energy efficiency and identify the best energy saving opportunities for your home and budget. If you didnt attend our Zoom KickOff meeting on Jan 18, you can view the recording here to learn more, and continue reading for more information.
How much will it cost to Weatherize my home?
Every home is different. Cost typically ranges from under $5,000 to over $12,000, with average energy savings of 20-25%. Alternatively, you might try some "do-it-yourself" energy efficiency improvements or invest in a deep energy retrofit to reduce energy use by 50% or more.
Rebates up to $6,000 (eligibility based on fuel use per square foot) are available from NHSaves on a first-come-first-serve basis. If interested, take the Home Eligibility Calculator at NHSaves IMMEDIATELY to see if you qualify. Funding is limited in 2023, particularly for Liberty Utilities customers.
The Inflation
Reduction Act (IRA) will provide new tax credits and rebates for home
energy improvements, electric vehicles, solar, batteries, heat pumps and
more*. You can find a summary of these credits
and rebates HERE and the most up-to-date information HERE.
When should I Weatherize my home?
Why go through another cold, drafty winter? Why suffer through the heat spells this summer? There's no time like the present to take advantage of the NHSaves incentives and Federal Energy Credits and get the work done soon. Although funding for NHSaves is limited this year, future funding is uncertain. There is also a backlog of Weatherization work and many contractors are filling their schedules for this year. We recommend scheduling an Energy Audit by Feb 10 and signing a project contract by March 31.
What is NHSaves?
NHSaves is a collaboration of New Hampshire’s electric and natural gas utilities working together to provide NH customers with information, incentives, and support designed to save energy, reduce costs, and protect our environment statewide. NHSaves is funded by electric and natural gas ratepayers and delivered by Eversource, Liberty Utilities, New Hampshire Electric Cooperative and Unitil to make our homes, businesses and towns more sustainable and more comfortable places to live and work, both now and in the future.
Read more about the NHSaves Weatherization Program, financial assistance, loans and rebates HERE.
Even More Information!
More information about Weatherizing your home and other related resources can be found at the Vital Communities and the Department of Energy websites. Some of the topics included are:
Do-it-yourself tips
Programs for low-income residents
Programs for renters, landlords, small businesses, and nonprofits
Programs for energy efficient heating systems, water heaters, solar energy, and new construction
Case studies from homes weatherized in the Upper Valley
You can view the slides of the NHSaves and ABCs of Weatherization by clicking on these links.
List of NHSaves Certified Contractors participating in Weatherize 2023
ABC Energy Savings Bob
Eldredge < [email protected] > (603) 344-4540
Building Alternatives Inc Bob
Tortorice < [email protected] > 603-823-5100
Colonial Insulation Christopher
Stewart < [email protected]> (800) 947-8870
EarthShare Construction Martin Bean < [email protected] >
Quality Insulation of Merideth William Castner < [email protected] > (603) 677-9022
Yankee Thermal Imaging Ted
Stiles < [email protected] > (603) 330-3377
You can view a short description of each company here.
Weatherize Plainfield & Cornish and our associated contractors are available to ALL homeowners whether they participate in the NHSaves program or not.
Who to Contact if You Have Questions
Your contractor is the best resource for questions about your home or your weatherize work scope.
Your Electric Utility receives and accepts the NHSaves rebate applications and can answer questions about your NHSaves application, confirm your status on the rebate wait list and handle any problems you may have with your NHSaves contractor.
The Weatherize Plainfield & Cornish volunteer team - We're happy to help in any way we can, including connecting you with neighbors who have already weatherized their homes. Contact us at Steve Ladd (Plainfield) or Nancy Wightman (Cornish)
*At this time, only IRA tax credits are available for 2023; IRA rebates are not yet available.
USDOE is currently conducting stakeholder outreach, developing program
guidance, and hosting listening sessions with key stakeholders. Rules
and guidelines are expected to be provided by mid-2023. Then states can
submit applications for the funds, explaining how they will determine
income eligibility, energy reduction results, train contractors,
administer discounts through contractors' invoices, etc. Finally, funds
will hopefully be awarded by end of 2023 or early 2024.