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By Michelle da Silva

As a long-time resident of Somerville, I have witnessed firsthand the growing interest in sustainable living within our vibrant community. This Earth Month, as we reflect on our role in the ongoing battle against climate change, it’s important to take stock of all of the progress we’ve made, while also considering the roadblocks that remain, and what we need to do to continue moving forward.

Home electrification – getting your home off gas and transitioning to modern electric heat pump technology – is the single largest lever to reduce your carbon emissions as a homeowner. This is because home energy use is responsible for roughly 20% of the average American household’s carbon footprint. In Massachusetts specifically, installing a heat pump reduces emissions by about 63% throughout its 15-year lifespan when compared to a gas furnace. This is why there is such a big push to ban natural gas in our state.

My work as a Home Comfort Advisor at Elephant Energy has provided me with unique insight into the common challenges and misconceptions of electrifying a home. I’ve found that through education and consultation, it’s most effective to guide homeowners through a phased electrification process that respects their circumstances and budget. This might start with something as simple as installing an induction stove or weatherizing to improve energy efficiency, and gradually moving towards more significant changes like heat pumps or heat pump water heaters. Every step counts.

Beyond understanding what a heat pump is and how it can benefit a household, many homeowners still have questions. One common concern is whether heat pumps work in harsh New England winters. They do–the right cold climate heat pump can efficiently handle your home’s heating needs down to -15 degrees. Others are apprehensive about the upfront cost of installation. This is where MassSave comes into play. It’s a statewide initiative that provides residents with resources, rebates, and incentives to improve home energy efficiency. Established in 2008, the program was designed to help the state meet its energy goals and is funded by energy efficiency fees on residents’ gas and electric bills, and sponsored by large utility providers in our state. Importantly, MassSave also provides zero-interest financing to help residents make energy-efficient upgrades.

However, the rebates strongly favor homeowners who live in single-family homes, or own condos in buildings with four or fewer units. These homeowners are eligible for a very robust $10,000 rebate for transitioning to a heat pump. By comparison, homeowners in buildings with five or more units only receive $1,250 in rebates per cooling ton installed (typically amounting to $2,500 – $3,750 in savings). And, it’s challenging to kick off the process, as MassSave’s policy requires multi-family buildings to be audited simultaneously for energy efficiency to enroll–in many cases, arriving at this consensus can be challenging, or even a non-starter.

As a condo owner, I understand the unique challenges we face in adopting heat pumps firsthand. Many are enthusiastic to get off gas, but often encounter hurdles like the aforementioned limited incentives, space constraints to fit the technology, or the need for consensus in these buildings.

Especially in a city where multi-family housing is more common than single-family homes, streamlining processes and providing tailored support for condominium buildings with over four units is essential. Grants and incentives targeting these types of housing could significantly facilitate the adoption of green technologies. With the MassSave plan being updated this year in preparation for the next three-year plan cycle (starting in 2025), now is the perfect time to provide comments to the MA Energy Efficiency Advisory Council, advocating for stronger incentives for condo owners.

In our mission to Electrify Somerville, let’s remember that every small effort matters. Simple steps towards electrifying our homes are vital, especially in supporting our neighbors in multi-family units. By making even minor upgrades, we’re not just reducing emissions but also fostering an inclusive approach to sustainability. Our collective actions and advocacy for equitable policies can lead to significant change. A greener Somerville is within reach, growing with each step we take together in home electrification. We must ensure everyone is part of this journey!