Northampton gets regional energy advocate to expand Mass Save outreach

Hannah Davis, the regional energy adviser funded through the Community First Partnership, introduced herself to the Northampton Energy and Sustainability Commission on June 10 and described free home energy assessments and follow-up incentives available to residents across three towns.

Davis said the three municipalities — Northampton, East Hampton and Westhampton — “have partnered with the sponsors of Mass Save to bring energy saving opportunities to residents in the area, both renters and homeowners, through the Community First Partnership.” She described a no-cost home energy assessment as the program’s first step and said anyone who lives in a house is eligible.

The program provides individualized support and links homeowners, renters and landlords to incentives for measures such as heat pumps, air sealing, weatherization and insulation. Davis said participation does not require landlord approval and that the “choose-your-own-adventure” pathway lets residents decide how far to go after an assessment.

Commissioners and staff focused discussion on outreach and on avoiding confusion among multiple Mass Save vendors. Eric Winkler asked whether incentives apply to new construction; Davis said eligibility and incentive pathways vary and urged a home energy assessment to determine applicable measures. Louis Hasbrook and others urged using city communications — newsletters, councilors’ listservs and flyers — to consolidate messaging and drive participation. Deb Klemmer confirmed Davis had submitted a blurb for the city newsletter for publication in late June or July.

Davis said the program is coordinating with a preferred home performance contractor, Revise, and with grant administrator partners. She told the commission that Revise was vetted through a parallel Electrify program and that “there’s a certain level of assurance based on Mass CEC having done the work for us to vet them.” Commissioners discussed whether the city should place its seal on outreach materials; Davis said the Community First Partnership materials already carry the municipal seals.

Commission members emphasized targeting outreach to landlords because a single landlord conversion can benefit many tenants. Ben Weil said the grant was written to devote as much of Davis’s time as possible to landlord outreach. Davis said the project team is assembling data to identify households that have not yet taken Mass Save services and noted contact with the Northampton assessor’s office to compile a list of properties still using fossil-fuel heating.

Davis provided a sign-up link and phone contact for residents: masssave.com/communityfirst/hamptons and (413) 529-1400, extension 781. She asked commissioners and councilors to send leads and suggested tabling at local events with the preferred contractor.

The commission discussed quality control and vendor vetting. Davis said both National Grid and Eversource run Mass Save in their territories and that Mass Save–associated contractors must meet training and qualification standards, though the commission acknowledged variation in field implementation.

The Commission did not take a formal vote on the outreach program at the June 10 meeting. Commissioners agreed to assist with outreach and to share Davis’s materials via newsletters, listservs and other city communications.

The commission moved on to other agenda items after the presentation.