The Energy Consumer's Bulletin- a New England energy news blog

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Heat Pump Water Heaters: Essential For Climate Action & Now Cost Competitive

In the fight against climate change, figuring out efficient and clean ways to heat water for showers, laundry, and dishwashing is a crucial part of...

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Renewable energy Energy efficiency Heating Phasing out fossil fuels

Heat Pump Water Heaters: Essential For Climate Action & Now Cost Competitive

In the fight against climate change, figuring out efficient and clean ways to heat water for showers, laundry, and dishwashing is a crucial part of reducing emissions. For the average New England household, domestic water heating accounts for 17% of the home’s annual energy usage. Replacing water heaters is also one of the most frequent and costly maintenance tasks that many property owners and landlords must face. Most hot water storage tanks last about 10 years, meaning that property owners might replace their water heating systems two or three times more frequently than their furnaces or boilers. This makes water heater conversions an important opportunity for cutting our region’s carbon footprint. 

Picture of Loie Hayes Loie Hayes
Energy policy & advocacy Energy efficiency Heating Rhode Island Climate change Action Alert

Our Take on Rhode Island’s Climate Action Strategy

Rhode Island is at a crucial juncture in taking meaningful action to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The Climate Action Strategy (CAS), which is a plan required of the state under the Act on Climate, is scheduled to be released to the public on Monday, December 15th, and the annual greenhouse gas (GHG) inventory released by the Department of Environmental Management has been updated for 2023. These two reports provide context for where the state’s emissions are and what ought to be done to achieve the 2030 GHG reduction mandate. Prior to the release of the final CAS, the Executive Climate Change Coordinating Council (EC4) – Rhode Island’s interagency organization tasked with coordinating climate change efforts – released a draft executive summary for the Climate Action Strategy which claims that the state will be able to meet the 2030 Act on Climate (AOC) with the current policies RI has on the books, e.g. the Renewable Energy Standard, Advanced Clean Cars II, and Advanced Clean Trucks regulations (currently under litigation), current incentives for electric vehicles and heat pump, etc.

Picture of Tina Munter Tina Munter
Energy efficiency Heating

How to Choose the Right Heat Pump Installer

We’ve heard from many people that they hope to install heat pumps or a heat pump water heater before the end of 2025 so that they can take advantage of the up-to-$2,000 federal tax credit, which ends on December 31st. And still others are compelled to act because their fossil fuel heating equipment is failing. 

To help our readers speed up their search for skilled installers, here are some tips to help you find a qualified, experienced contractor for your home.

Picture of Loie Hayes Loie Hayes
Electricity and the grid Heating Climate change Phasing out fossil fuels

Natural Gas Prices Are Rising

This blog is about the rising cost of natural gas. We hope that it reaches those who blamed this past winter’s rising cost of gas on the cost of energy efficiency programs. 

Let’s start with this graph, courtesy of Reuters, showing that the price of natural gas has risen almost 50% nationally in the last few years for residential consumers.

Picture of Larry Chretien Larry Chretien 
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Picture of Amanda Barker Amanda Barker
Massachusetts Electricity and the grid Energy efficiency Heating Climate change Phasing out fossil fuels

Heat Pump Discount Rates Coming This Winter!

We have an exciting update for Massachusetts households since we last wrote about heat pump rates in July: Starting November 1st, all three investor-owned electric utilities (Unitil, National Grid, and Eversource) will launch new, lower winter electricity rates for homes that heat either partially or fully with heat pumps.  

On average, Heat pump users can expect to save around $540 on their heating bills this winter, compared to what they paid in past winters. That’s roughly a 17% discount—a true game changer for clean heating in Massachusetts.

Picture of Amanda Barker Amanda Barker
Energy policy & advocacy Massachusetts Heating Phasing out fossil fuels

Why We Should Axe The Alternative Energy Portfolio Standard

Massachusetts has some great, and sometimes nation-leading, energy programs; the Alternative Energy Portfolio Standard (APS) is not one of them. That’s why we are excited that Governor Healey has proposed phasing out the APS by 2028 as part of H.4144, An Act relative to energy affordability, independence and innovation, which she filed back in May.

Picture of Carrie Katan Carrie Katan
Energy policy & advocacy Massachusetts Electricity and the grid Energy efficiency Heating Climate change

Lower Electricity Rates for Heat Pumps? Yes, please!

Widespread adoption of heat pumps is essential to achieving net-zero emissions by 2050, and the important interim greenhouse gas reduction goals by 2030. However, for many households, high electricity costs remain a barrier to making the switch. To address this, the Massachusetts Department of Public Utilities (DPU) has ordered the state’s three investor-owned utilities (IOU’s - Unitil, National Grid, and Eversource) to introduce seasonal heat pump rates, offering discounted electricity for heat pump users during the winter months, a concept Maine has already implemented.

Picture of Amanda Barker Amanda Barker
Energy policy & advocacy Massachusetts Heating Climate change Phasing out fossil fuels

Massachusetts Takes Bold Step To End Gas Line Subsidies

A coalition of twelve environmental and clean energy organizations1, including Rewiring America, Acadia Center, Green Energy Consumers Alliance, Sierra Club, and Environmental Defense Fund, recently submitted a letter strongly supporting the Department of Public Utilities' (DPU) draft policy to end gas line extension allowances (LEAs)—subsidies that have long encouraged new gas service connections and expansion.

Picture of Carrie Katan Carrie Katan , Ben Butterworth 
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Amanda Sachs
Massachusetts Energy efficiency Heating Rhode Island Climate change

The Status of Federal & State Energy Efficiency Incentives

“Seize the day” might be a good mantra if you’re exploring your options for reducing your energy costs in 2025. While there is potential for changes to energy programs at both the local and federal levels, there are many incentives currently still available. Don't let fears about the future dissuade you from proceeding with projects that pencil out with the incentives in place when it comes time for you to decide on your project.

Picture of Loie Hayes Loie Hayes 
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Picture of Amanda Barker Amanda Barker
Renewable energy Energy policy & advocacy Massachusetts Electric vehicles/Transportation Electricity and the grid Energy efficiency Heating Green municipal aggregation Rhode Island Our programs Climate change Phasing out fossil fuels

Listen Up! Our Green Energy Podcast Is Finally Here

We are excited to launch the Consumers for Climate Podcast, now available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and Amazon Music! This podcast reflects our mission to empower consumers and communities to make energy choices that speed a just transition to a zero-carbon world.

by Adrianna Lovegrove