There’s a move underfoot to get the area more energy-efficient. 

 

Middleboro Gas & Electric is at the helm of the energy efficiency drive and proclaimed October Energy Efficiency Month. The utility is offering a range of rebates from $25 to $6,000 for cordless lawn equipment, energy star appliances, heat pumps, electric cars and solar panels.

 

Applying is easy and rebates are credited to the applicant’s utility bill within six to eight weeks, said Dani Taylor, the utility’s Energy Services Specialist.

 

A list of qualifying equipment can be found on the utility’s website at ged.com/256/Home-Energy-Saving-Rebates. Taylor said customers just upload a copy of their receipt and apply online through the Energy New England website. 

 

“We currently have a bit over $100,000 remaining in the rebate/residential conservation budget for 2022,”  said the utility’s spokesperson Kyle Holmberg.  Another round of rebates will start in 2023, but no details are available. He said approximately $70,000 was given to 169 customers this year.

 

Folks can get the scoop on how to save more money at a Sustainable Middleboro workshop at noon on Saturday, Oct. 22 at the Middleboro Public Library.

 

Kimberly French, of Sustainable Middlesbrough, is leading the charge to insulate Middleboro and the region. Saturday’s workshop is aimed at helping people save hundreds on their heating bills by weatherizing their homes, she said. The volunteer team will help people wade through the legalese of rebates, grants and tax credits to figure out what program best suits their needs, French said. 

 

“Weatherization can feel overwhelming and expensive. But residents can get some or all of it paid for. The first step is to see if you qualify to get 100-percent weatherization costs up to $4,500 paid for through the Weatherization Assistance Program,” French said.

 

Energy assistance isn’t restricted to low-income families. French said there’s help for people of all income levels.“If your income is $199,000, you can get up to a $7,000 rebate (up to 50 percent) of insulation costs,”  French said.

 

French will also help people apply for the utility’s rebates and various programs available through South Shore Community Action Council.

 

In order to qualify for certain rebates an energy evaluation is needed, French said. “It’s the most important thing. It gives you a road map,’’ to know what issues need to be addressed. “And then you’ll be ready when the funding is available. Get an energy evaluation,” she stressed. 

 

French recommends installing heat pumps, which are small electric units that can replace an oil-burning furnace.“I just actually put one in this summer, it’s amazing. It’s a very economical and very efficient way to heat and cool your home.” 

 

French said smaller units handle a single room, and larger ones can heat a whole house. She said the systems start at $15,000 and qualifying homeowners can receive up to $14,000 in rebates.

 

For more information French can be reached at sustainablemiddleborough@gmail.com.