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Concord relaunches Weatherize Concord to help homeowners access NHSaves incentives
Summary
City officials and partners reintroduced the Weatherize Concord campaign to help mainly homeowners secure NHSaves rebates (up to $6,500), on-bill financing and income-based full coverage, aiming for about 100 residential projects and local enrollment assistance.
Rob Werner, chair of the Concord Energy and Environment Advisory Committee, opened a public relaunch of Weatherize Concord and said the program will help homeowners reduce energy bills and improve comfort while advancing the city’s carbon-reduction goals. “The least expensive unit of energy is the one that is never used,” Werner said.
The relaunch highlights NHSaves incentives and local support aimed primarily at residences. Chase Penoie, president of Resilient Buildings Group, said the NHSaves-backed campaign offers “up to $6,500 towards qualifying weatherization improvement,” and noted on-bill financing is available to lower initial out-of-pocket costs. Penoie added that households at or below 60% of the state median income may qualify for a home energy assistance option that covers 100% of qualifying improvements.
Why it matters: organizers framed the effort as both a consumer saving and a climate action. The mayor noted the city’s prior efficiency work — including a street-light conversion to LED that he said saves about $100,000 a year — as evidence of municipal commitment and encouraged residents to visit partner booths and sign up through the Weatherize Concord site.
Program details and partners: Werner described related renewable projects in Concord — two roughly 5-megawatt solar installations with about 11,000 panels apiece — and said the landfill project’s electrical connection is expected later this summer. Penoie and event partners pointed attendees to on-site booths from the New Hampshire Community Loan Fund, Resilient Buildings Group, Granite Group and NH Saves for enrollment help, technical information and contractor pairing.
What the measures cover: presenters explained that the core of the weatherization work is air sealing and insulation (attic, walls, basements) following a blower-door audit that depressurizes a home to reveal leakage. Event speakers reiterated that rebates can reach $6,500 (a 75% rebate toward insulation and air sealing if fully maxed out) and that NH Saves also offers incentives on qualifying equipment such as heat-pump water heaters and ductless mini-split systems.
Eligibility and commercial note: when an attendee asked whether the program covered businesses, Penoie said Weatherize Concord is specifically directed to homes; NH Saves maintains a separate commercial offering that can cover businesses and faith-based buildings depending on metering. An attendee named Ben reminded the group that some churches metered on residential meters may qualify under residential programs.
Outreach and next steps: organizers said they will run pop-up enrollment events for resident-owned communities and help people complete enrollment paperwork on site. Penoie encouraged residents to sign up via the Weatherize Concord site to be paired with participating contractors; event tables remained available for attendees seeking immediate assistance.
The committee did not take any formal votes at the event; organizers said the program’s immediate goal is to enroll about 100 mostly residential projects and to connect residents with available rebates and financing.
