Home electrification-or the process of avoiding or replacing appliances and systems that run on fossil fuels with those that run on electricity-is catching on across the country. As we race to meet ambitious goals to slow the rate of climate change, Massachusetts homeowners are doing their part by upgrading their homes to be more environmentally friendly, thereby reducing the use of fossil fuels and lowering their utility bills.
We often think of solar energy as a means of reducing reliance on fossil fuels, but did you know that residential solar also fits into the home electrification picture? Today we’re going to cover some of the basics of electrification upgrades, including available rebates that can save you thousands of dollars, and how adding solar panels to your all-electric home on Cape Cod and the greater Boston area can help you save even more.
How Can You Electrify Your Home?
Whether you’re building a new home or are interested in renovating and upgrading your existing house, all-electric homes share some common appliances and systems, including:
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Electric heat pump or ductless mini-split HVAC systems
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Heat pump water heaters and heat pump clothes dryers
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Induction cooktops
But the spirit of home electrification is about more than just eliminating fossil fuel usage-it’s about reducing energy use and energy waste, and making a home more environmentally friendly, healthy, and energy-efficient. In this sense, proper insulation and air sealing, fresh air ventilation systems, and even electric vehicle chargers can all be considered part of a high performance, all-electric home.
There are many rebates and incentives available to encourage the adoption of energy-efficient upgrades. One of the most significant is the Mass Save® electrification rebate, or the All-Electric Home Incentive. New single-family home construction that meets certain criteria can qualify for $15,000-$25,000 in incentives. For multi-family dwellings, incentives can ring in at as much as $40,000!
Using Solar Panels to Get More Out of Home Electrification
Solar energy fits into the home electrification process in two ways:
- Solar energy reduces the amount of fossil fuel-generated energy your home uses. Even if your home is all-electric, the grid electricity your home runs on could be generated by fossil fuel-burning power plants. Any solar energy that solar panels on your Massachusetts home produce, on the other hand, is guaranteed to be 100% clean energy from a renewable source.
- An all-electric home can be completely powered by solar energy. With electric systems and appliances-as well as a lower total energy load because of proper insulation and air sealing- you can offset a significant portion of your monthly electricity bills for decades to come with solar panel installation.
Using Other Incentives to Save Money on Solar Panel Costs
Mass Save® electric rebates don’t extend to solar panels, but that doesn’t mean there aren’t ways to reduce your upfront installation and ongoing energy costs with other incentives. Massachusetts’s solar incentives include:
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The federal solar tax credit (30% credit of total installation costs)
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The SMART incentive program
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Net metering
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State tax credit (15%) & local property and sales tax exemptions
My Generation Energy can help you maximize your solar savings and capitalize on your all-electric home so you can benefit from free, clean solar energy. Whether you’re building a new house or electrifying an existing one, talk to our team of Cape Cod-based solar experts about adding solar into your electrification plans.
