Energy prices are soaring: Here's how SouthCoast residents can lower bills this winter
BOSTON — Oil cost $5.69 a gallon in Massachusetts last week, according to the Massachusetts Home Heating Fuel Survey. The average price last year was $3.32 a gallon, a 71.7 % increase.
Eversource Energy spokesperson Chris McKinnon says natural gas is the fuel companies rely on to generate electricity. This winter, they anticipate they will pay even higher prices due to "global conditions."
What can renters, homeowners and landlords do to lower these costs?
Apply for fuel assistance or energy forgiveness
Homeowners and renters can apply to receive up to $1,600 from Jan. 1 to April 29 to help with heating and energy costs.
People Acting in Community Endeavors has a fuel assistance program for residents in New Bedford, Fairhaven, Marion, Mattapoisett, Dartmouth, Acushnet, and Rochester.
Citizens for Citizens' fuel assistance program offers "very, very generous" heating help opportunities in Fall River and Taunton, according to CFC Executive Director Liz Berube.
If you live elsewhere in Massachusetts, you can enter your city or town into the Massachusetts Association for Community Action fuel assistance page, which directs you to your coordinating fuel assistance program.
Typically, these programs will pay the billing companies directly, but they also offer assistance for people whose rent includes utilities.
Eversource offers a state-reviewed program called New Start, that offer forgiveness for a portion of outstanding balances, based on income eligibility, according to McKinnon.
In total, 22 Massachusetts agencies like PACE and CFC belong to the Massachusetts Association for Community Action, which runs through the national Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program to offer energy assistance to state residents.
Berube says it's possible to receive a whole new heating system through some state fuel assistance programs.
Massachusetts Association for Community Action's energy assistance income eligibility levels
If you are not eligible for energy assistance, are experiencing a "temporary financial difficulty," or "cannot meet a month's energy expense," The Salvation Army’s Good Neighbor Energy Fund can try to assist you.
Receive a free home energy assessment
You can determine how to maximize your home's energy usage by applying for free energy assessments through CFC, Mass Save, Eversource, National Grid, and other organizations.
Mass Save will pair you with a free energy assessment organization based on your location.
Energy companies like National Grid and Eversource offer free home energy assessments to determine what will save homeowners, renters and landlords the most dollars on energy. Some assessments made over the phone, on video chats, or in person.
New Bedford's Energy Office, New Bedford Energy Now, also offers a free home energy assessment.
CFC also offers free energy audits.
After you receive an energy audit or assessment, depending on eligibility, many of these organizations will send you personalized no-cost, rebated, or discounted energy-efficient appliances or systems.
Weatherize and optimize your home's energy
CFC combines its fuel assistance program and energy audits with weatherization offers and heating repairs. If eligible, you can receive free home weatherization and discounts or free replacement and services to save money on a more energy-efficient home.
Other organizations work the same way.
Eversource offers rebates, discounts, and other incentives for homes to have energy-efficient products like smart thermostats, heat pump water heaters, and other money-saving products.
National Grid offers rebates on high-efficiency gas heating equipment like furnaces, boilers, and water heating equipment. They say that "the average value of home weatherization installation for our customers is $4,026."
New Bedford Energy Now offers free energy-saving equipment or discounted appliances to those who qualify.
Be aware of energy scams
If you receive money-saving heating or electricity offers from third-party companies and are concerned about their legitimacy, calling the New Bedford Energy Office can help you determine if you'll really save.
Take online energy assessments
If you don't have the time for an in-person energy audit, Mass Save offers an online energy assessment to help give you "personalized tips and recommendations for saving energy."
New Bedford Energy Now says that this online energy quiz has helped serve 3,500 families and saved them and small businesses a "total aggregate annual savings of $388,000" since 2010.
Ensure that you've opted into Community Electricity Aggregation
The City of New Bedford saves you money on your electricity bills, but some people may have opted out of the CEA program. New Bedford Mayor’s Office spokesperson Holly Huntoon said in a statement that those enrolled in the program pay 10.47 cents per kilowatt hour while those not enrolled who buy directly from Eversource may see rates between 17 and 20 cents/Kwh. You can opt back in here.
Call for energy emergency utility or heating assistance through PACE: 508-525-4271
Or Reach out to the Good Neighbor Energy Fund
PACE Executive Director Pam Kuechler says they expect to see more fuel emergencies this winter as prices go up.
This article originally appeared on The Herald News: Utility bills are going up this winter. Here's what you can do
