Retrofit Resource Hub

The most common ways to reduce energy usage include:

Changes to how you operate your building could include occupant behavioral changes or equipment controls. Examples include:

• changing the schedule or settings for heating systems, or
• adding occupancy sensors for lighting (especially common area lighting).

These are less expensive than other measures. They can often be done in-between regular capital improvement cycles.

LEDs represent significant electricity savings compared to older bulbs. The pay for themselves over a very short period of time.

Air sealing or adding insulation to your building makes it more comfortable for occupants. It also reduces the heat load, so any future heating system replacement can be smaller (and therefore less expensive).

Changes to heating or hot water systems should be considered very carefully. Because these systems have such long lifespans, equipment replaced now could still be in use in 2050. You should consider the opportunity cost of installing a new fossil fuel system.

The most common way for buildings to decarbonize their heating systems is to switch from using fossil fuels to electricity for heating and cooling. Buildings can switch their electric resistance, oil, and propane systems to heat pumps. This transition can often yield operational cost savings. Switching from natural gas to heat pumps can also lead to immediate savings when combined with energy efficiency and onsite solar. Any increased operational costs can be offset by benefits of the upgraded system. Many heat pump technologies improve quality of life through efficient cooling and better indoor air quality.

The more common types of heat pumps include:

This is a common replacement for buildings with central air conditioning or furnaces. These heat pumps use ducts to deliver hot or cold air.

This is a common replacement for buildings with hot water or steam distribution systems. Mini-splits add a wall unit to blow air into each zone to be heated or cooled.

Most common in large buildings, VRF systems are able to provide both heating and cooling to different zones of the building at the same time.

This is most appropriate for buildings with outdoor space to dig wells. Geothermal heat pumps (or ground-source heat pumps) pre-heat or pre-cool refrigerants using the constant temperature underground.

These pumps are currently less common in the U.S. than Europe. Air-to-water heat pumps heat hot water for distribution. They can be used for both heating and hot water (and sometimes cooling).

We'll continue to update this information as new technologies emerge to replace fossil fuels with renewable sources.

Here are some ways to buy renewable electricity:

Roof-mounted solar photovoltaic (PV) is the most common onsite option in urban areas. This can be done through:

• buying the system yourself, or
• entering into a power purchase agreement with a solar provider, in which they own the system and sell you electricity at reduced rates.

This can be an attractive option for nonprofits or public entities. This is because the solar provider will be able to take advantage of existing tax credits. If your roof is nearing the end of its useful life, it should be replaced before installing solar PV.

If your building doesn’t have sufficient roof space, or if there are other barriers to onsite renewables – such as grid constraints – there are multiple options for purchasing offsite renewables:

Community Choice Electricity

• You or your tenants can participate in the City’s municipal aggregation program and opt up to 100% renewables.

Power purchase agreements (PPAs)

• You can buy electricity from a renewable installation at another location.

Renewable energy credits (RECs)

• You can maintain your current electricity supplier and buy the environmental attributes of offsite renewables through RECs.

A collection of resources from the U.S. Department of Energy. This includes:

• sector energy financing primers
• financing option fact sheets
• high-level market overviews and guides, and
• information on financing policies and programs.

Get rebates, custom incentives, and loans for a variety of energy efficiency measures. For a dedicated Eversource Energy Efficiency consultant team for large buildings, contact:

• bostonenergyconsultant@eversource.com, or
• 781-441-3010.  

Get reduced interest rate loans and discounted audits for multi-family housing retrofits that reduce energy use.

Get reduced interest rate loans and discounted audits for multi-family housing retrofits that reduce energy use.

Get reduced interest rate loans and discounted audits for multi-family housing retrofits that reduce energy use.  

Get reduced interest rate loans and discounted audits for multi-family housing retrofits that reduce energy use.

Offers low- or no-interest loans for affordable multi-family buildings.

Offers low-interest financing for nonprofits using performance contracts to reduce their energy use.

Get financing for energy improvements for:

• commercial
• industrial, and
• large multi-family properties

City of Boston income-eligible loans and grants for home repair and heating system replacement.

Get incentives for solar photovoltaic (PV) projects, with adders for:

• energy storage
• community solar, and
• projects that benefit low-income households.

This federal tax credit is for renewable projects, including solar and geothermal.

This federal depreciation deduction for businesses recovers investments in solar PV, solar thermal, and geothermal.

Learn about the Massachusetts excise tax deduction for solar and wind systems.

Learn about the Massachusetts property tax exemption for solar and wind systems.

The City of Boston program buys affordable and renewable electricity on behalf of its residents and businesses.

Get incentives for switching from oil, propane, or electric resistance heating and hot water systems to heat pumps. For a dedicated Eversource Energy Efficiency consultant team for large buildings, contact:

• bostonenergyconsultant@eversource.com, or
• 781-441-3010.

Get Alternative Energy Credits for:

• solar hot water
• air-source heat pumps, and
• ground source heat pumps.

You can receive incentives for the installation of electric vehicle charging stations.

The program offers rebates for the hardware and installation costs of electric vehicle charging stations.