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Bringing Savings to the Masses

The MA Residential Conservation Services Program

MassSave home

Client: CSG is a vendor to Mass Save program sponsors: NSTAR, National Grid, Columbia Gas of Massachusetts, Berkshire Gas, Cape Light Compact, New England Gas, Unitil and Western Massachusetts Electric

Location: Massachusetts
WEBSITE: www.masssave.com

Challenge/Business Need

Mass Save is a partnership among electric and gas utilities, energy efficiency service providers, and the Massachusetts Dept. of Energy Resources. This partnership helps owners of one- to four-family homes to identify ways to use less energy and make major energy efficiency home improvements.

Program sponsors wished to decrease energy consumption and enhance comfort, durability, health, and safety. Through Mass Save — the Residential Conservation Services program — customers also save money and contribute to a healthier environment.

CSG’s ROLE

CSG was selected to implement the Mass Save program and address barriers hindering energy efficiency investments in existing homes, including:

  • Lack of customer awareness
  • Difficulty conveying the benefits of the “whole house as a system” approach
  • Rebate fluctuation among utilities

CSG provides information on rebates, incentives, and financing available for energy efficient products and services. We also:

  • Perform Home Energy Assessments and some energy efficiency upgrades
  • Arrange contractor services for additional upgrades
  • Coordinate the related low-interest financing program

COMMUNITY BENEFITS:

  • Energy efficiency upgrades effectively marketed to homeowner
  • Greater cooperation from consumers in making significant changes
  • Reduced usage and ultimately saved money

RESULTS:

  • $6,703,824 in low-interest financing for weatherization and other energy efficiency improvements in 2008
  • Thousands of households benefitted by receiving Home Energy Assessments and/or measure installations
  • Significant, ongoing energy savings for both consumers and utility companies

Strategy & goals

When a qualified customer is interested in an efficiency upgrade for their home, CSG’s trained Energy Specialists conduct a Home Energy Assessment — a thorough visual evaluation of the home’s thermal envelope and mechanical systems. CSG successfully addressed barriers and challenges by:

  • Launching media and direct mail campaigns
  • Utilizing its state-of-the-art Customer Contact Center in Fall River, MA to carefully screen prospective customers and provide information
  • Demonstrating to homeowners how to achieve maximum efficiency

Among the goals met through the dedication of our staff, CSG delivered:

  • Measurable and increasing energy savings for homeowners and utilities
  • Improved knowledge among consumers regarding efficiency, home performance and the whole-house approach
  • Coordinated marketing approach using ENERGY STAR-branded collateral

Impact

CSG delivered tens of thousands of comprehensive whole-house Home Energy Assessments. Consumers contracted for thermostats, refrigerators, insulation upgrades, blower door directed air sealing, duct leakage testing and duct sealing.In 2010, nearly three thousand National Grid and NSTAR customers qualified for $23,733,943 through the Mass Save HEAT Loan low interest financing.

The HEAT Loan provides customers an opportunity to apply for a zero percent loan from participating lenders to assist with qualified energy efficient improvements. Loans are available up-to $25,000 with terms up-to seven years. Eligible customers all obtained a Home Energy Assessment through Mass Save.

CSG Contacts

Robert Eckel, Regional Vice President, New England

Tasteful Flourish