A new $9 million state program will help moderate-income Vermonters make their homes more energy efficient by allowing people to pay for weatherization projects in their utility bills, officials said Wednesday.
The Weatherization Repayment Assistance Program will allow people to pay for weatherization projects like insulation, air sealing, heat pumps and advanced wood heating systems through a monthly charge on utility bills that can be paid back over time. Both homeowners and renters can participate in the program, which will be overseen by the Vermont Housing Finance Agency.
The program is open to all Vermonters, although the majority of funding will be targeted to households earning between 80% and 120% of the area median income.
Households earning less than 80% of the area median income are eligible for free services through the state’s existing Weatherization Assistance Program.
The system is intended to help customers address obstacles such as high upfront costs and limited access to credit. If a customer moves, the next occupant of the property will pay the surcharge for the time they occupy the property.
The program is expected to start funding projects next year.
