New Funds for Rewiring So You Can Insulate
Have you had a Home Energy Assessment and been told that your home might have a problem with the electrical wiring that needs to be checked before you can insulate? If so, Renew Boston can help.
First, we can help subsidize the cost of testing your wiring to confirm whether or not you have any old fashioned “Knob and Tube” wiring that might be a fire hazard if you insulated over those wires. Second, if you find out that you do have Knob and Tube wiring that carries a live electrical current, we can help subsidize the cost of replacing those wires with modern, safe wiring.
Your first step in solving this electrical question is to review the paperwork that your Energy Advisor gave you during your Home Energy Assessment, letting you know that you might have an electrical problem. Locate the form that you need to give to the electrician who will test your home for any active Knob and Tube. (You can call Mass Save for a copy if needed.) Call your regular electrician or, if you need a referral, check on-line at http://license.reg.state.ma.us/loca/locaprof.asp or contact an organization that gives referrals to members or the general public, such as Boston Building Resources, Angie’s List, or Better Business Bureau.
When you call the electrician, let them know that you want to insulate and need them to determine whether or not your home has any active Knob and Tube wiring. If the electrician finds that you have no active Knob and Tube, have them sign your knob and tube form and call your Energy Advisor to let them know that the evaluation has been completed. Keep the receipt for what you pay the electrician, because when you proceed with insulation, you will be eligible for a Mass Save credit of up to $250 for the cost of your electrical evaluation.
If your electrician does find active Knob and Tube wiring, ask them to give you separate estimates for the cost of replacement wiring for the attic and for the basement, in addition to the walls. This way, you might be able to break the project into more financially manageable stages. You may be eligible for a Mass Save Barrier Remediation rebate of up to $3,000 for replacement wiring.
In addition to the rebates listed below, you can also apply to use a portion of a Mass Save HEAT Loan for fixing pre-weatherization problems. The Boston Home Center loan and grant program may also be able to assist you. Mass Save also offers rebates for replacing heating systems with high efficiency models.
Please don’t hesitate to email [email protected] with any questions about how to move your home forward past the barrier of old electrical wiring.