Residential Energy Conservation Program
Zero-interest borrowing for eligible residential owners with HG&E service to insulate their homes or seal air leaks and ducts.
Esta oportunidade está atualmente disponível em inglês.
Borrow through the Residential Energy Conservation Program to add insulation or seal air leaks and ducts in an existing home. This page covers those standalone weatherization measures. Eligible insulation includes the attic, walls, floors, basement, rim joists, and heating or hot-water pipes.
The assistance carries 0% interest. You repay it through your monthly Holyoke Gas & Electric (HG&E) bill. A $100 administrative fee appears with your first repayment, and the utility’s prompt-payment discount does not apply to these repayments. You must sign an agreement allowing a municipal lien on the improved property, making the property security for the borrowing.
For standalone weatherization, the maximum assistance is $10,000 for a one-unit property, $15,000 for two units, or $20,000 for three or four units. To receive the multi-unit maximum, the qualifying equipment must serve every unit. Multiple measures share the aggregate limit. These property-type limits also cap the assistance a single customer can have outstanding at any time: an existing RECP balance reduces your available new assistance, while a fully repaid earlier balance lets you use the full applicable level again.
The maximum repayment term is 36 months for projects up to $2,000 and 60 months for projects from $2,001 to $20,000. HG&E may limit total annual assistance and may change, suspend or modify the programme.
Eligibility
- You must be a residential customer who owns and occupies a property with no more than four units; condominiums are excluded from this owner-occupied route. Holyoke residents can also apply for residential investment properties they own but do not occupy, with no more than four units. Tenants cannot apply.
- Your building must receive HG&E gas or electric service. For insulation, air sealing or duct sealing, you must be a current HG&E electric customer or use HG&E natural gas as your primary heating source.
- HG&E must approve your application. Your HG&E accounts must be in good standing, with a satisfactory payment history of 6–12 months, and the property must have no municipal tax liens. Homeowners without previous HG&E billing history may submit a letter of credit from their previous utility.
- These weatherization measures cannot finance new construction or gut rehabilitation. If an interior gas meter is present at the installation address, you must complete any gas-service upgrades HG&E requires before installing insulation. Replacing old knob-and-tube electrical wiring to allow insulation is not a covered cost.
HG&E recommends a home energy audit for insulation, air sealing and duct sealing. Its free audit service is available through MuniHELPS at 1-888-333-7525. Recommended final insulation levels are R49–R60 for attics, R18–R20 for walls, R30 for floors, R15–R19 for basements and R3 for heating/hot-water piping; an R-value describes resistance to heat flow.
How to apply
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- HG&E approval is required; the utility may limit annual assistance or change, suspend or modify programme terms.[^c2][^c7][^c8]
Apply using the online application on HG&E’s programme page or submit a physical application. For the physical route or programme questions, contact efficiency@hged.com or 413-536-9382. HG&E recommends applying before starting the project to confirm eligibility.
Obtain a quote from a contractor with the required licences and permits. Give the contractor the project requirements first. The quote must itemize each system or service and include manufacturer/model details where applicable. Submit the quote and your property deed with the application. HG&E aims to review applications within approximately three business days; if approved, it mails a contract for you to sign and return. Any change from the quoted system design needs HG&E approval.
Provide the weatherization post-installation form to your installer before the work is finished. You arrange and pay the contractor and must ensure the required city or county inspection conditions are met. HG&E may also inspect the finished work. Products must be installed within 90 days of signing the HG&E agreement, and all work must be completed within 12 months of applying.
After completion, your installer submits the post-installation form. Supply a dated receipt or invoice and installer documentation confirming compliance with the programme’s energy-efficiency requirements. HG&E sends a cheque approximately three weeks after the completed project and receipt of your signed contract, completed installer form, and all other required documents and approvals. It makes no progress payments, so allow for the delay when arranging contractor payments.