‘Renew Boston’ Completes its 600th No-Cost Home Weatherization; Registration for Services ends December 31st

Posted by erik devaney

While many Bostonians recently took to the streets as part of the Occupy Boston protest, Boston’s Mayor, Thomas M. Menino, recently took to the streets to promote a different message: Renew Boston.

Standing in front of the East Boston residence of Patricia Cortes-Duran, Mayor Menino announced that the City of Boston’s Renew Boston initiative has successfully completed its 600^th free home weatherization;  an accomplishment that has resulted in over $1 million in annual home energy savings.

Cortes-Duran’s home recently received weatherization services through the initiative, which included adding insulation and sealing windows. These services are expected to reduce Cortes-Duran’s electricity and heating costs by 30% this winter.

“Renew Boston is proof positive that community networks are effective in scaling up energy efficiency and leveraging local economic benefits for all,” said Mayor Menino. “This is Boston’s triple-bottom-line approach to sustainability: lowering utility bills for residents and businesses, create jobs and increase economic opportunity – all while greening our city.”

The Renew Boston initiative acts in partnership with NSTAR and National Grid in order to provide free home weatherization for qualified residents – and businesses – of Boston. Since its launch in August of 2010, Renew Boston has employed the help of community-based organizations in order to promote awareness of the free services and to encourage participation. Cortes-Duran found about Renew Boston through the Neighborhood of Affordable Housing (NOAH), which guided her through each step of the program.

Through working with neighborhood organizations, like Nuestra Comunidad’s Partnership for Greening Blue Hill Avenue, the Dorchester Bay Economic Development Corporation and NOAH, the City of Boston has been able to reach residents who would otherwise have difficulty accessing weatherization services. Such residents include moderate-income residents and residents, like Cortes-Duran, for whom English is a second language.

On average, Renew Boston participants save about $200 each year with the installation of aerators, programmable thermostats and CFL light bulbs. Full weatherization services, which include insulating and sealing, can save participants up to $600 in annual heating costs.

Neighborhood organizations will continue to sign up Boston residents for Renew Boston services in the coming months, with registration ending on December 31^st.

Eligible residents must live in buildings with no more than four units and make between 60 to 120% median income. For more information on eligibility, call (617) 635-SAVE or go to www.RenewBoston.org.

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