Incentives offered to ‘Button Up’

A coalition of Vermont organizations joined Congressman Peter Welch on Oct. 5 to kick off the 2018 Button Up Vermont campaign, designed to inspire Vermonters to take steps to make their homes more comfortable and more affordable in preparation for the winter heating season.

Vermont has a statewide goal of achieving 25 percent energy savings in at least 80,000 homes by the year 2020. Button Up Vermont’s goal is to make at least 5,000 Vermont homes warmer and less expensive to heat by the end of this year.

“Investing in energy efficiency saves money, creates jobs, and improves the environment,” Welch said. “I encourage all Vermonters to invest in their home’s thermal efficiency before winter arrives. Together, we can save money on energy bills and reduce harmful carbon emissions.”

“I’m glad to move Vermont one home closer to its goal for energy conservation, and I’m looking forward to burning fewer fossil fuels this winter,” Myra Boenke, who hosted the event at her Williston home, said. Boenke completed a comprehensive home energy project with Building Energy earlier this year. “I urge all of my neighbors and fellow Vermonters to commit to doing at least one project that will help keep cold air out, and warm air in this winter. No step is too small.”

Residents in participating Button Up Vermont partner communities can anticipate informational workshops and community events where they can get weatherization tips and advice from professionals and receive free energy-efficiency products to help button up their homes.

New this year, residents in 19 participating communities, including Williston, Essex and Essex Junction, will be able to sign up for free home energy walkthroughs by professional contractors.

$100 rebates

Handy Vermonters who want to take steps to make their homes warmer and more affordable this winter have a new tool they can reach for; up to $100 in rebates from Efficiency Vermont for do-it-yourselfers to lower the cost of weatherization materials.

While a comprehensive energy retrofit by a qualified contractor is the best way to save money and reduce carbon emissions from a home, many Vermonters are not ready to take that bigger step.

“The more Vermonters get involved in even small do-it-yourself projects to prepare for winter and experience the benefits, the more inspired they’ll be to continue buttoning up their homes in years to come,” said Efficiency Vermont program director Carol Weston.

To qualify for Efficiency Vermont’s DIY Weatherization rebate, customers must complete any three of seven approved projects and submit photos of the finished work:

• Build or purchase an airtight, well-insulated attic hatch
• Air seal and insulate the box sill and rim joists in basements
• Build an airtight, well-insulated bulkhead door in basements
• Spot air seal and insulate attics
• Install a new window, Low-E storm window or panel
• Weatherize windows
• Weatherize exterior doors

Submissions must be postmarked by March 1, 2019, and include purchases made between Sept. 15, 2018 and Feb. 1, 2019. For more information, including instructional videos, printable how-to guides, and online rebate forms, visit efficiencyvermont.com/diyprojects.