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Vermont’s Weatherization Program

Vermont’s Weatherization Program is designed to help lower income residents — particularly older Vermonters, people with disabilities, and families with children — to save fuel and money by improving the energy efficiency of their homes.

Eligibility for Weatherization
Eligible households include any whose incomes are at or below 80 percent of Vermont’s median income, based on household size.Click here for the 2013-14 Income Eligibility Guidelines.
However, if a household includes a member who receives Supplemental Security Income (SSI) or Fuel Assistance, the household is considered automatically eligible for weatherization services.
Available Weatherization Services in Vermont

The services available may include:
Comprehensive “whole house” assessment of energy-related problems.
State-of-the-art building diagnostics including: blower door, carbon monoxide, and heating system testing and infrared scans.
“Full-service” energy-efficient retrofits including dense-pack sidewall insulation, air sealing, attic insulation, heating system upgrades and replacements.

Eligibility of Renters
Renters qualify for services if they meet the income eligibility guidelines.

When to Apply for Weatherization
You may apply for weatherization assistance at any time during the year.

For More Information
Here is the state website: http://dcf.vermont.gov/oeo/weatherization

Federal Residential Energy Efficiency Tax Credit

This tax credit expired at the end of 2011. The American Taxpayer Relief Act of 2012 retroactively renewed this tax credit effective January 1, 2012, expiring again on December 31, 2013. Any qualified equipment installed in 2012 or 2013 is eligible for this credit. As in previous years, the cumulative maximum amount of tax credit that can be claimed by a taxpayer in all years combined is $500. If a taxpayer has already claimed a tax credit of $500 for purchases made in any previous year, they are ineligible for additional tax credits for any new equipment purchases.

For more information ask your accountant or go to: http://www.dsireusa.org/incentives/incentive.cfm?Incentive_Code=US43F&re=1&ee=1

Free Energy Audit from Vermont Gas

You may be eligible for a free or low cost energy audit if you are in Vermont Gas service territory.

The Retrofit Program is designed to help customers with larger than average gas usage find ways to improve the efficiency of their homes. Vermont Gas customers whose home has used at least 0.5 Ccf per square foot of natural gas over the past year are eligible. For example, a 2,000 square foot home that consumes more than 1,000 Ccf per year qualifyfor this program, as are multi-family buildings where the total building usage is at least 0.5 Ccf per square foot of natural gas. If you don’t own your home, Vermont Gas must receive direct authorization from the landlord to qualify for an energy audit. Vermont Gas provides financial incentives to encourage qualifying customers to install cost effective energy conservation measures.A Free energy audit is performed on each participating building to identify potential energy saving measures. The auditor looks at existing insulation levels, evaluates building air-tightness, and tests the heating system efficiency. Potential improvements are modeled using a computer audit tool to determine the cost effectiveness of improvements and to estimate the savings that may result. Building owners are then provided with a written report summarizing the audit results and detailing the incentives available. The report also includes a list of contractors and the specifications needed for contractor bidding. Customers have the choice of obtaining competitive bids, or having VGS assign a pre-screened contractor to do the work.

For more information, contact Vermont Gas or go here: http://www.vermontgas.com/efficiency_programs/res_programs.html