FAQs
Program Eligibility
What is the Renew Boston Residential Energy Efficiency Incentive?
Mayor Thomas M. Menino’s Renew Boston initiative has partnered with NSTAR and National Grid to provide qualifying Bostonians with no-cost home energy efficiency improvements. The improvements offer City residents and landlords a low-hassle way to lower their energy bills, increase the value of their homes and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Qualifying residents may receive a range of no-cost efficiency services including a comprehensive home energy assessment and up to $3,500 in insulation and air sealing. Other free energy efficient products may be available depending on the results of the home energy assessment.
Who is qualified?
Boston renters and homeowners living in a single family home or a multi-family building with up to four units may be eligible for no-cost Renew Boston services. Landlords can also take advantage of Renew Boston services. Program eligibility is determined by the following:
- Active interest in weatherization improvements,
- Renters must have landlord approval for any efficiency improvements installed in the home, and
- Total household annual income must fall between 60 and 120 percent of State Median Income.
How do I determine if my household’s total annual income falls between 60 and 120 percent of State Median Income?
Step 1: What is your household income?
A number of factors go into determining a household’s total annual income. First, think about all the sources of revenue for each person in your household over the past year such as: 1) pre-tax (net) wages from your employer 2) unemployment 3) business income (but not business losses) 4) rental income 5) student loans 6) retirement funds 7) Social security or disability payments 8) child support and/or alimony 9) investment income, and 10) other.
Then, add up qualifying expenses such as: 1) rental property expenses (excluding depreciation) 2) certain business expenses 3) alimony payments 4) student loan interest 5) tuition and fees, and 6) other.
Deduct those expenses from your household’s overall revenue to determine your household’s total annual income.
Step 2: Determine how many people are in your “household”?
The term “household” includes everyone that resides in the home permanently. Count the number of people your household supports with the combined incomes. If you have children, make sure to include them in your count. If you have a dependent that lives with you part time, count that person if you provide the majority of their support. If you have an extended family member or friend living with you, make sure you add their income to your household’s total annual income, and include them in your count. If you live with roommates, make sure you add their income to your household’s total annual income, and include them in your count.
Step 3: Use the chart to determine if your household’s total annual income falls between 60 and 120 percent of State Median Income.
Use the chart below, also referenced on the Renew Boston Eligibility Verification Affidavit, to determine whether or not you’re household qualifies for the incentive.
NOTE: Your Adjusted Gross Income on your most recent Federal Tax Return is an excellent place to start your evaluation. However, circumstances such as rental income, business income or losses, and untaxed or partially taxed income such as social security, can add complexity to your determination. In addition, if you have multiple people living in your household that file tax returns, be sure to use information from everyone’s tax returns. If you have ANY questions about how to determine your income, please call Mass Energy Consumers Alliance, the nonprofit organization administering the Renew Boston incentive, at 617-524-3950, or email [email protected]. Clarissa, or another Mass Energy representative, is available from 9am-5pm, Monday through Friday.
| Household Members | Income |
|---|---|
| One-person household | $30,751 to $61,502 |
| Two-person household | $40,213 to $80,426 |
| Three-person household | $49,675 to $99,350 |
| Four-person household | $59,137 to $118,274 |
| Five-person household | $68,598 to $137,196 |
| Six-person household | $78,060 to $156,120 |
Who should sign the affidavit?
Any one adult living in the household can sign the affidavit. The person signing should be responsible for adding up the household’s total annual income and determining the number of people in the household. Ideally, the person signing the affidavit is the person with their name on the gas utility account, or if there is not a gas utility account, the electric utility account. In a situation where a landlord pays the gas and/or electric utilities, a tenant living in the unit should sign the affidavit. The tenants’ incomes are used to qualify the unit for the Renew Boston incentive, regardless of who pays the utilities.
If I believe I qualify for the Renew Boston offer, what should I do next?
If you feel your household qualifies for the Renew Boston offer, please sign and return the Eligibility Verification Affidavit. Also, make sure you have scheduled your home energy assessment through 617-635-SAVE (7283). There are several ways you can return this form:
- Mail to Mass Energy, 284 Amory Street, Boston, MA 02130.
- Scan and email to [email protected].
- Fax to Mass Energy at 617-524-0776.
What should I do if my total household annual income falls above 120 percent of State Median Income?
If you believe you are above the income level for this incentive, or wish to opt out of the program eligibility process, you can still move forward with an energy assessment. Although you will not receive the Renew Boston offer, you will still receive the same energy assessment at no cost to you, as well as a 75% discount off the cost of insulation and air sealing in your home, up to $2,000 through the Commonwealth’s Mass Save program. Please call the Renew Boston hotline at 617-635-SAVE (7283) and indicate that you would like to opt out of the income verification process. A representative there will be able to schedule a no cost Mass Save energy assessment for your home.
If you already have a Renew Boston assessment scheduled, you do not need to cancel that visit. The Home Energy Advisor will be able to perform a Mass Save assessment for you at the time of your scheduled visit.
What should I do if my total household annual income falls below 60 percent of State median Income?
If you believe you are below the income level for this program, you may be eligible for even greater incentives and assistance offered by Action for Boston Community Development (ABCD). ABCD offers several benefits including fuel assistance, discounted electricity and telephone rates, as well as heating system assistance. The first step is to apply for fuel assistance. You can contact your neighborhood ABCD office or call ABCD at 617-357-6012. Be sure to tell them that you were referred by the Renew Boston Program and you are interested in weatherization.
If you already have a Renew Boston assessment scheduled, you will need to cancel that visit. Please call Renew Boston at (617) 635-SAVE (7283) immediately to cancel your assessment. The representatives there will help connect you to ABCD to access their weatherization program.
What if I still have questions about whether or not I qualify?
If you have any questions about the Affidavit, or whether or not you qualify for the Renew Boston offer, please call Mass Energy Consumers Alliance, the nonprofit organization administering the incentive, at 617-524-3950, or email [email protected]. Clarissa, or another Mass Energy representative, is available from 9am-5pm, Monday through Friday.
What happens in some units in my building qualify for Renew Boston and others for ABCD?
If 50% or more of the units in your building qualify for ABCD, then the whole building can be served through that program. If those that likely qualify for ABCD are unable or unwilling to be verified or served through that program, the units that qualify for Renew Boston or Mass Save can be served separately. However, it is best for everyone if the whole building is served at the same time, so every effort should be made to qualify for the ABCD program.
If less than 50% of the units are eligible for ABCD. The units will be served separately through the separate programs.
I am the owner of a building in which one the units is currently unoccupied, can I use my income to qualify for the program?
Yes, but only if there is an active utility bill in your name for that unit.
I am the owner of a building in which one the units is occupied by temporary tenants that turnover frequently, can I use my income to qualify for the program?
Yes, but only if there is an active utility bill in your name for that unit.
