Low-Income Programs

The state of Massachusetts is served by the Low-Income Energy Affordability Network (LEAN), which is a network of Community Action Agencies, public and private housing owners, government organizations and public utilities that work together to provide low-income efficiency solutions in the state. Through LEAN, National Grid and Eversource participate in the dual fuel Low-Income Single-Family Core Initiative and Multifamily Initiative, which are available to qualified low-income residential customers. The single-family program provides no-cost energy efficiency measures to residential customers living in one- to four-unit dwellings in which at least 50% of the occupants have incomes at or below 60% of the state median income. Eligible measures for this program include insulation, air sealing, repairing or replacing heating systems, health and safety wares, water efficiency measures, and lighting fixtures.

The program targets high energy users and elderly households and also streamlines eligibility requirements by automatically enrolling customers on the discount rate or who receive LIHEAP funds. The initiative is implemented by local Community Action Program (CAP) Agencies and is integrated with the Department of Housing and Community Development’s (DHCD) Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP). There is also a statewide Energy Efficiency Advisory Council and a Multifamily Advisory Committee that provide guidance on low-income utility-sponsored programs in the state.

In 2017, according to National Grid, it achieved 216,732 MWh energy savings from its low-income programs while serving 12,728 low-income customers. In 2017, according to Eversource, it achieved 0.39 MMtherms of energy savings from its low-income programs, while serving 21,716 low-income customers.

Multifamily Programs

National Grid offers the Multi-Family Retrofit core initiative, which provides comprehensive energy efficiency services to market rate properties with five or more dwelling units. The initiative offers energy assessments that identify energy savings opportunities throughout the facility. An Energy Action Plan (“EAP”) is developed for each facility, identifying all energy efficiency opportunities regardless of fuel source. Historically, this initiative has provided incentives for cost effective gas and electric measures. The PAs anticipate the addition of oil measures and other deliverable fuels, pending issuance of updated RCS regulations. Incentives include (but are not limited to) lighting, shell improvements, heating, cooling, and water heating equipment and controls. The Multi-Family Retrofit core initiative is part of an emerging set of relatively new efficiency program designs across the nation working to serve this unique building sector.

National Grid and Eversource jointly offer the Low-Income Multi-Family Retrofit core initiative provides cost-effective, residential energy efficiency improvements that benefit income-eligible occupants and owners of multi-family buildings. Energy efficiency products and services are implemented within the common areas as well as directly in the dwellings of residential, income eligible customers living in multi-family facilities (with 5 or more attached units), in which at least 50 percent of the occupants are at or below 60 percent of the state median income level. The Program Administrators will provide up to 100 percent of the funding for cost effective projects with established caps based on projected savings. Low-Income Multi-Family properties owned by public housing authorities, non-profit organizations as well as for-profit organizations are eligible to participate. The initiative targets residential customers on the discount rate and/or customers living in multi-family facilities with five or more dwelling units in which at least 50 percent of the occupants are at or below 60 percent of the state median income level in addition to the landlords and property managers of these buildings. Any changes to eligibility criteria will be addressed collectively between the PAs, LEAN, lead agencies and CAP agencies.

In 2017, according to National Grid, it achieved 17,414 MWh energy savings from its multifamily programs, while serving 15,008 multifamily customers. In 2017, according to Eversource, it saved 0.41 MMtherms of energy from its multifamily programs, while serving 26,510 multifamily customers.

Last Updated: March 2019