Kamala Harris touts initiatives to lower home energy bills at Boston event | Rare Techy

Vice President Kamala Harris spoke at the JATC Apprenticeship Training School in Dorchester on Wednesday evening about how the Affordable Care Act can help the environment and help Americans save money. this winter.

“We’re fighting together to lower home energy costs for families across the country,” Harris said today. “One of the best ways a family can lower their home energy bill is to make their home more energy efficient, but this is a challenge for many homeowners, many people here in These days we know that improving energy efficiency is expensive, although we know that you can save. Thousands of dollars in long-term, upfront costs are too high for many families to afford.”

Signed into law by President Joe Biden this year, the Inflation Reduction Act aims to tackle climate change by helping Americans improve their homes. Under the Act, the federal government has invested $300 million in Massachusetts to help families lower their electricity bills, the Vice President said. Basically, the new law offers up to $14,000 in rebates and tax credits for people to buy energy-efficient appliances.

In Massachusetts where electricity bills are on the rise this winter, appliances that use less electricity and heat can save people up to 25% on utility bills, according to the Department of Energy.

• Read more: National Grid, Eversource customers may see their electricity bills rise this winter

Since Tuesday, Eversource and National Grid, two of the state’s largest electricity suppliers, have raised their rates, citing limited global oil supplies due to the conflict in Ukraine. . This winter, National Grid customers will pay more in their electricity bills and 22 to 24% more in their heating bills than last winter.

Eversource customers in the former Columbia Gas region – including Springfield, Lawrence and Brockton – will pay 25% more in their natural gas bill this winter compared to last. Customers in the former NSTAR Gas Company between Boston and Worcester will pay nearly 40% more in natural gas bills this winter than last year.

In Massachusetts, the new Energy Savings Act offers rebates of 50 to 100% of the cost of installing new electrical appliances such as heat pumps, water heaters and clothes dryers. The Energy Savings Act also offers a 30% tax credit for solar energy installation, which could save families $300 a year, or $9,000 over the life of the system, the White House said .

The White House estimates that families using clean energy and electric vehicle tax credits can save more than $1,000 a year.

Under the new Act, states and local governments will be allowed to adopt new home energy codes, saving Massachusetts families $73 on their utility bills each year.

According to NRDC.org, the Final Cuts Act offers two different programs: the HOMES Act and the Large Energy Affordability Act.

Under the HOMES Rebate Program rebates are given based on how much energy a home saves. Low- and middle-income families qualify for a double rebate, up to 80% of program costs.

Currently, the High-Efficiency Electric Home Rebate Act offers rebates of up to $14,000 per year for families to electrify their homes. This includes $8,000 for the heat pump, $840 for the electric furnace and $1,600 for the air conditioning system. The Electric Home Rebate Act rebate is only available for low- and middle-income families.

The Inflation Reduction Act defines middle income as earning 150% of an area’s median income, while low income is less than 80% of that area’s median income. Low-income families can have up to 100% of their electricity bill paid, while middle-income families can have up to 50% of their bills covered.

However, applicants cannot use the allowance for the two clean energy projects. Payments will begin in 2023 and will end on September 30, 2031.

Massachusetts residents can also apply for state rebates with Mass Save – an energy savings program sponsored by several major Massachusetts energy providers. Bay Area residents can receive up to $10,000 in savings with Mass Savings.

Even small items like room air conditioners, shades, some lawn equipment, clothes dryers and conditioners can cost upwards of two hundred dollars. Mass Save charges these devices from $30 to $75. Meanwhile, major items like electric pumps, heaters and intake controls are discounted from $650 to $10,000. Mass Save also offers up to $10,000 in rebates on air-conditioning heat pumps.

Discounts are only available for customers who purchased energy-efficient appliances listed on the Mass Save website. After the item is purchased, the customer must fill out and submit the payment request form to Mass Saves. Six to eight weeks later, customers should receive a payment check in the mail.

“We’re all working together in a network of a lot of big pieces,” Harris said. “By helping families pay upfront for energy efficient upgrades, we are lowering energy costs, lowering housing costs, creating jobs and fighting the crisis of heaven It’s all connected and connected to this work and helping us to build a nation where everyone can succeed in this world.”