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In a first for Massachusetts, the town of Ipswich, through the Ipswich Electric Light Department (ELD) or Ipswich Utilities, will accelerate clean energy home improvements through a streamlined, utility-supported process for homeowners and renters. This concept is officially called tariff on-bill financing, or TOB, and it will be managed through ELD’s ReSource ReInvest program. In this program, ELD, not the homeowner, will invest in state-of-the-art clean energy technology. No taking on debt, no credit checks, no obligations for renters or those who plan to move soon. The occupant will simply see a monthly payment that is less than the money saved from the energy efficient upgrades. The payment would extend for as long as it takes for the utility to recover its investment and, if a homeowner moves, would simply transfer to the next occupant. “I think TOB can play an outsized role in unlocking building decarbonization across the Commonwealth,” noted CET President Ashley Muspratt. “I feel so fortunate to be partnered with a utility like Ipswich ELD that has the vision and courage to be a first mover proving out this model.” https://lnkd.in/gFCuX5Jg

🏘️💡 Attention builders and developers: the new HUD-USDA energy standards are a game-changer for affordable housing - and a massive opportunity for your business. Here's why: 1. 💰 Tap into a booming market With up to 25% of new homes falling under the updated codes, there's never been a better time to specialize in high-efficiency construction. Homebuyers are increasingly demanding energy-saving features, and these standards will only accelerate that trend. By getting ahead of the curve and mastering the latest techniques and technologies, you can differentiate your business and capture market share in a rapidly growing segment. 2. 🔧 Master the art of efficiency Building to the 2021 IECC and ASHRAE 90.1-2019 standards isn't just good for the planet - it's good for your bottom line. By investing in training and processes that prioritize efficiency, you can reduce material and labor costs, streamline your operations, and boost your margins. Plus, you'll be well-positioned to take advantage of the $1.2B in grants for code updates and compliance. 3. 🌞 Ride the solar wave The new standards are a particular boon for solar homes, which are projected to make up a significant portion of the affected units. By integrating solar and storage into your designs from the start, you can create homes that are not only efficient but also resilient to power outages and extreme weather. This is a major selling point for savvy homebuyers - and a way to tap into the growing demand for clean energy. But let's be real: change isn't always easy. Adapting to new codes and techniques can be a challenge, especially for smaller builders and those in states with outdated standards. Some may grumble about the added costs and complexity. But here's the thing: the benefits far outweigh the challenges. By embracing these standards, you're not just building better homes - you're building a better future. You're creating jobs, saving families money, and helping to mitigate the worst impacts of climate change. And you're positioning your business for long-term success in a world that increasingly demands sustainability. So don't wait for the codes to come to you. Start exploring the opportunities now. Forge partnerships with efficiency experts and solar installers. Educate your team on the latest techniques and technologies. And most importantly, share your story with the world. Show how your business is leading the charge in creating affordable, sustainable, and resilient homes for all. #EnergyEfficiency #AffordableHousing #GreenBuilding #SustainableConstruction https://lnkd.in/g5va5vYk

Medway backs Home Upgrade Grant to improve energy efficiency and cut heating bills Medway residents are being given a chance to save money on energy bills and reduce carbon emissions under a new scheme.  The Home Upgrade Grant Phase 2 is being delivered across the region through the Greater South East Net Zero Hub, with the support of Medway Council which is encouraging eligible residents to apply. The grant funds energy efficiency improvements and clean heating systems in low-income households, targeting the most inefficient off-gas grid heated homes in England, in an effort to tackle fuel poverty and help meet the UK’s 2050 Net Zero commitment. To qualify, households must either be situated in a pre-qualified postcode area or have either a gross household income of no more than £31,000, or an equivalised income where cost of living is below £20,000 after rent or mortgage costs. The home must also be heated by alternative fuels including electricity, oil, liquid propane gas, and solid fuels. The energy efficiency criteria will be determined by the Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) rating of the property and residents will be supported with this part of the eligibility process during application. Residents will also be provided with a free EPC where they do not already have one. Local installers in each region will guide customers through the application journey, helping them understand and establish eligibility for the scheme. If eligible, the installer will identify which improvements for the home will provide the greatest benefits and arrange any necessary surveys and installations. Make a difference and save money Cllr Simon Curry, Portfolio Holder for Climate Change and Strategic Regeneration, said: “The Home Upgrade Grant is a great scheme to help improve energy efficiency across Medway, and the rest of the country, while helping those struggling with their bills. We are committed to achieving net zero carbon in Medway by 2050 and this important project will help us reach this goal, while reducing residents’ fuel expenditure at the same time. Every resident and organisation in Medway can help to meet our climate change targets by reducing their carbon footprint – so I would encourage any eligible residents to apply for this scheme to find out how they can make a difference.” Local authorities will be contacting residents who they believe are likely to be eligible for the scheme. Find out more about the Home Upgrade Grant. https://lnkd.in/eugiXrcR

On resilience as a marketing tool. Kaya Laterman has a story for The New York Times on microgrids as a residential sales strategy. "Heron’s Nest, a new cottage community in Shallotte, N.C. ... [calls] itself an “environmental village” ... [Eric and Camela Moulder] liked that each house came with a three-kilowatt rooftop solar system, which would reduce their carbon footprint and cut their utility bill by a third. But as they toured the 31-home community, they discovered that they were looking at North Carolina’s first residential “microgrid” development. ... [The community] can operate outside of the larger municipal electrical system by ensuring backup power for the entire development, which can be produced by a solar array system and stored in a battery." This is a departure from more conventional solutions. "Traditionally, homeowners buy generators as a backup power source. But developers are finding that energy-resilient homes and communities are powerful marketing tools to lure buyers and renters. ... It was easy to explain to buyers how rooftop solar panels, included in the price of each home, could lower a utility bill, and how the microgrid would generate power when residents most needed it." The article covers several other related strategies: a higher-end California development by KB Home, and Babcock Ranch, a massive Florida project from Kitson & Partners, which are interesting in their variations on the theme. But the basics are consistent: "Reducing utility bills, along with carbon emissions, is great, but for people like the Moulders in North Carolina, living in a microgrid is all about the security of a reliable energy source. “Every time my storm warning alarm goes off on my phone,” Mr. Moulder said, “it’s nice to know that you will still have power.” Steers Real Estate Georgetown University- McDonough #georgetownuniversity #realestate #commercialrealestate #climate #sustainability #esg https://nyti.ms/45q5utb

THE FREEZE SQUEEZE: YORKSHIRE HOMEOWNERS MOVING TO GREENER HOMES TO SAVE ON ENERGY BILLS • Research from Redrow reveals almost a quarter (26%) of homeowners in Yorkshire would consider moving to make a significant saving on their bills • Two thirds (66%) say living in an energy efficient home is more important to them now than 12 months ago • Nearly two thirds (61%) of local homeowners are more worried about escalating energy bills than last year, and 13% of frustrated homeowners have already started searching for a new home With Ofgem increasing household bills, we could see more people across Yorkshire selling up and moving home in 2024. New research from premium housebuilder Redrow has revealed frustrations have reached an all-time high, with almost a quarter (26%) of Yorkshire homeowners now considering moving to a more energy efficient home in order to make savings on their bills. Nearly two thirds (62%) of homeowners admit they’re more worried about escalating energy bills than they were last year, with younger homeowners aged between 18 and 34 across the nation being three times as likely to consider moving to a more energy efficient home than their older counterparts, those aged 55 and over (54% vs. 16%). Nationally, living in an energy efficient home continues to be a big priority year on year, with two thirds (67%) saying it is more important than a year ago, and a third (31%) say a low EPC rating is one of their biggest frustrations with their current house. Love it or list it? With energy bill increases (29%) and unexpected maintenance costs (20%) the top factors triggering home frustrations, cost-savvy Yorkshire homeowners are increasingly looking to go green. However, believing their house is too old to be energy efficient (28%) continues to be some of the biggest hurdles stopping homeowners from updating older properties. This may be why a third (37%) say they would prefer to move into an energy efficient home, rather than trying to retrofit their current home with energy efficient features. When the time comes to move, two fifths (40%) say they would opt for a new build specifically due to its energy efficient features. In addition, nearly a quarter (23%) saying they are more likely to consider installing a heat pump than they were a year ago. Interestingly, only 9% of Yorkshire homeowners said they were looking to install solar PV panels. Double glazing (77%), loft insulation (73%) and energy efficient lighting such as LED (51%) are the efficient features that are most commonly installed or looking to be installed by renovators. continued in the comments

The real estate landscape is evolving, with a growing emphasis on sustainability and energy efficiency shaping the way homes are valued and sold. As the real estate industry continues to embrace sustainable practices, solar-powered homes in solar-friendly states are poised to lead the market in terms of value and demand. Investing in solar-powered homes can not only increase the value of a home but homebuyers also stand to gain long-term savings and environmental benefits by investing in solar-powered homes. #Sustainability #SolarPanels #HomeValue #CleanEnergy

Upping the Energy Efficiency of our Housing Stock… Hey, Mark here… The UK housing stock is broken down as follows Victorian and Georgian - 5 million homes were built between 1870-1914, many are still lived in today including mine which was built in 1870. The Housing Act of 1930 finally got rid of the “slums” and 350,000 houses were built per annum during the 1930’s. Most are still standing. The Federation of Master Builders was formed in 1941 in the East End of London after it took the brunt on the bombing. It is now the biggest trade association in the industry. Town Planning came into being around the same time, and the New Towns Act in 1946 which was ambitious but, gave rise to Stevenage, Milton Keynes and Basingstoke and more. During the 1960’s and 70’s more homes were built than at any time in our history. Unfortunately around 25% turned into vertical slums but, 75% are still occupied today. All of this history has provided us with around 25million homes. There’s over 1 million homes without residents and hundreds of thousands with a housing need. As we’re building approx 200-230,000 homes per annum, there’s a shortage every year which gets bigger. Just under 5.9% of the land in the UK is built on so there is no shortage of land. If you want to prove that figure to yourself, just get up in a little plane and fly around. Making them energy efficient would take approx £13,000 per house of the older stock of which is the majority of UK stock. The total costs of the upping the energy efficiency of our stock - well, £13,000x 25million - that’s some cost and it’s debatable that the cost of materials would outweigh the benefit in the short term. Ie. Our lifetimes. If I give an example - the costs in money and labour and “green” principle to make a sheet of 100mm x 2400mm x 1200mm Kingspan insulation against the reduced gas usage because of it’s insulation value…the benefits will be felt long term but…takin into account that 100mm Kingspan sheet is basically foam and glue… It’s likely that current and subsequent housing ministers will “ease” the energy ratings laws to ease the financial burden on householders and landlords. Modern homes are built energy efficiently as we have learnt from our past. However, it’s also likely that landlords will be chosen first as they are making money from their properties. If you’d like help with your property journey, then click on the link…https://lnkd.in/eUaPCwBi Kind regards Mark Ps. Here’s that link again - https://lnkd.in/eUaPCwBi

Check out this interesting article on home Deep Energy Retrofits (DERs) from Green Communities Canada! It features the Matthews family in Vancouver and how they reduced home energy use by 62% and GHGs by 97%, with the help of City Green Energy Advisor Peter Cho. Find the article through the link below!

This article highlights an interesting opportunity - the rise of resident-owned mobile home cooperatives tapping into climate incentives presents a growth market for solar installers and other service providers. As parks convert to cooperatives, resident-owners gain more agency over infrastructure decisions and access to sustainability programs. This enables upgrades like solar arrays, heat pumps, stormwater improvements, etc. For solar companies and contractors, these co-ops represent an untapped affordable housing market ready to deploy distributed renewables and reduce grid dependence. Securing multiple projects across a resident-owner network can be faster and lower customer acquisition costs compared to individual residential sales. And as co-ops band together in associations like ROC USA, installers can get visibility and connections to hundreds of potential community customers through a single point, making sales cycles highly efficient. For companies providing financing, weatherization, EV charging, and other sustainable upgrades - this is a unique route to scale services to budget-conscious groups through a collective model with built-in demand. The cooperative trend demonstrates how community organizing can accelerate climate action. For businesses enabling this transition - the market growth possibilities are real and the revenue potential is immense. Let's connect to explore partnerships in this space! #ira #electrification #coop #incentives #heatpumps #mobilehomes #solar https://lnkd.in/gUJ-e_2f

In 1979 my Mother and Grandmother managed to purchase a home in East Point GA for their future generations. This, my childhood home, the home where my youngest 3 were born in and my granmother took her last breath, is now the living energy burden lab for Ayika Solutions Inc. Why, because I AM part of the same LMI communties I serve. "MESEARCH" a perspective of research approaches where solutions are born out of necessity and moves from the direction of "inside" towards the "outside". Addressing our energy burdens, alongside current household social realities, is the driver behind my energy justice work. This, my legacy home, has a HERS rating of 179. At a score of 150 it is strongly suggested that I purchase a newer, more energy efficient home. Well if I can't afford to move (affordable housing in Metro Atl is a joke) or don't want to move ( the home my mother and grandmother purchased means something to me) what are my options.? Deep electrical retrofits beyond "weatherization" must be an accessible option..