Our navigators are here to help to move beyond information overload and make a plan! Creating an energy plan can seem daunting at first, but fleshing out a plan can simplify the steps and make the process feel more manageable.
Where should I start?
As you create your energy plan, it helps to ask yourself what are your main priorities. Some top options clients have include reducing your energy bills, improving your home’s air quality, reducing your home’s greenhouse gas emissions, and using safer, cleaner energy.
Whether you plan to create your energy plan independently or with the help of an Energy Navigator, it helps to do some preliminary research to familiarize yourself with the possibilities.
As a starting point, this article (and quiz) from Seven Days gives a good summary of the topic.
Whether you’re a curious beginner or a seasoned expert, this guide from Rewiring America provides lots of great information. It provides a comprehensive look at outlining options on weatherizing, electrifying, and transitioning your home to renewable energy.
If you want to view sections of the guide that correspond to the Actions on our site, we have linked the Action and outlined the relevant pages below:
Going solar (p. 12 and 66 in the guide)
Befriending your electrical panel (p. 16)
Installing a heat pump (p. 19)
Installing a heat pump water heater (p. 35)
Buying an electric vehicle (p. 52)
Pages 7 & 8 provide an overview of costs and benefits of various actions as well.
Building a new home or doing major renovations to an existing one? This quick guide from the Department of Energy lists efficient ideas specifically for home construction and design.
How much will it cost?
One element of making a plan is evaluating how much time and money you hope to commit to this project. While every project and situation is different – it may cost less than you expect!
There are several programs available through Efficiency Vermont and Green Mountain Power that are no or low cost depending on your income. Thanks to these programs, the cost of transitioning your home is lower than ever before.
Efficiency Vermont also has a helpful article and video explaining different options for financing these projects.
Also, the cost range of different upgrades and changes varies widely. Making your home more efficient does not always require huge investments of time and money. There are several DIY energy-saving projects that are inexpensive and quick. Use this guide by the Department of Energy to explore.
See this list for a few other low-cost efficiency changes you can make.
Is it worth it?
Our Energy Navigators can help you understand this question on the various actions, but you are also welcome to use online calculators to predict how much money you might save and the amount of carbon you might reduce by transitioning your home.
Rewiring America’s household electrification incentive calculator estimates what types of incentives you are eligible for and what is currently available.
The Rocky Mountain Institute’s Green Upgrade Calculator analyzes the energy rates, maintenance costs, and lifetime costs of transitioning to electric alternatives. This calculator estimates the time it will take for these transitions to pay off and provides detailed breakdowns of federal, state, and local incentives for each.
Who is available, and who can I trust to do this work on my house?
Our navigators are happy to refer contractors for various specific actions. Efficiency Vermont also has a detailed list for all kinds of contractors and retailers.
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