FRAMINGHAM, MA - Framingham has been selected by Eversource, its local electric and gas utility, to participate in the Mass Save® Municipal Partnership Program for the second consecutive year. Through the program, Framingham will strengthen its efforts to support and empower all residents and businesses to save energy, cut costs, and reduce greenhouse gas emissions through Mass Save®.

Framingham's participation in the program this year builds on 2020 efforts in which it exceeded its participation goals with more than 300 no-cost energy assessments conducted for small businesses, over 550 weatherization projects for residents that will help them improve their comfort and reduce energy costs, as well as over 600 heating and cooling system upgrades completed in local homes and businesses.

As one of the Commonwealth's Green Communities and MVP Communities, improving the energy resiliency and efficiency of municipal operations and the greater Framingham community has become a major priority of the municipality's sustainability efforts. This year, Framingham is redoubling its efforts to improve community energy efficiency, launching the "Framingham Saves Energy" campaign in coordination with the nonprofit, All In Energy and Energize Framingham.

The campaign will strive to ensure that residents – renters, homeowners, and other residential property owners – as well as small businesses and local nonprofits, are receiving the full benefits of the statewide Mass Save® program. Funded by an energy efficiency charge on monthly utility bills, Mass Save® is administered by electric and natural gas providers in Massachusetts.

Renters and property owners who want to join Fraimgham in its campaign to save energy can take the first step by visiting FraminghamSaves.org to sign up for a no-cost home energy assessment or learn about other offers for which they may be eligible.

No-cost home energy assessments organized through the campaign are performed by a Mass Save home performance contractor or by the nonprofit Southern Middlesex Opportunity Council (SMOC), Framingham's Community Action Program agency, based on owner or tenant income criteria. Energy assessments can help renters and property owners receive products like high-efficiency showerheads, smart power strips, and programmable thermostats at no cost so that they can immediately begin saving energy and money. These assessments can also help them learn about other energy-saving opportunities.

For a limited time, Eversource, our Mass Save® sponsor, is offering 100% off approved insulation for all renters in 1-4-unit buildings as well as 75-100% off approved insulation for single-family homeowners and single-unit/condo owners. In addition to reducing energy consumption and costs directly, these energy upgrades can help improve comfort and reduce maintenance costs. Furthermore, upgrades involving insulation improvements combined with no-cost air sealing may help reduce noise levels, assist in decreasing the size of future HVAC systems, and even mitigate insect and rodent infiltration.

In addition to helping residents save energy at home, the Framingham Saves Energy campaign will also focus on increasing awareness about opportunities for small businesses and nonprofits. Through the Mass Save Small Business program, business owners and nonprofit leaders can access a no-cost energy assessment for their buildings and receive an even broader set of energy efficiency upgrades and savings opportunities. Framingham businesses can sign up for a no-cost energy assessment and learn more about available opportunities here: www.masssave.com/en/saving/business-rebates/energy-saving-solutions-for-small-businesses.

To maximize the campaign's ability to support Framingham's diverse neighborhoods, Framingham is working alongside the nonprofit All In Energy to develop and implement a comprehensive education and outreach strategy. Throughout 2021, members of the Framingham Saves Energy coalition, including the All In Energy team, will be organizing events, activities, and communications to assist residents and businesses navigate the Mass Save® programs and spread awareness about energy efficiency opportunities and energy-saving incentives.

All In Energy's mission is to accelerate an inclusive clean energy economy focusing on developing strong community connections to support cities and communities in their outreach efforts. "We are thrilled to continue work with the City of Framingham to help Spanish, Portuguese and English-speaking renters, and building owners save energy and money, especially as we all continue to grapple with the financial impacts of COVID-19," said Gabe Shapiro, Co-Executive Director, Partnerships at All In Energy. More information about All-In Energy's work can be found at AllInEnergy.org.

As a member of the Framingham Saves Energy Coalition, residents can also find more ways to save energy and money by creating a healthier home and community using Energize Framingham at EnergizeFramingham.org. Energize Framingham collects recommendations and provides information on actions, service providers, and events as a central resource for the Framingham community while tracking the collective climate impact of the community's sustainability actions. "The idea behind Energize Framingham is to help everyone, from renters to retirees, feel empowered about their own ability to participate in climate action," says Aimee Powelka, community lead for Energize Framingham.

For further information, contact: Kelly McFalls, kmcfalls@framinghamma.gov, Tel (508) 532-5437 -or- Gabe Shapiro, Co-Executive Director, Partnerships, All In Energy, (781) 656-5359, gabe@allinenergy.org 

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