Financial and Lifestyle Resources for Vermont

Small businesses come in a variety of sizes and types in Vermont. So, it is no wonder that there is no “one-size fits all” solution for energy savings when it comes to how Vermonters make a living. According to the U.S. Small Business Administration, “over half of the U.S. workforce either owns or works for a small business.” It’s clear that small businesses, like yours, power our economy. And your business needs power to keep the lights on, to heat and cool, and more. And, chances are you are paying for more energy than you need to get the job done.

Extreme weather events are causing increasing numbers of power outages, and power outages can impact your life and your livelihood—maybe you have to throw out a freezer full of spoiled food, or you are cut off from loved ones during a storm, or can’t shower before work. It’s important to have energy alternatives that can help you meet your essential needs and keep your home habitable, maybe for an extended period, during power outages. Most people say water, food, warmth, and communication rank as essential needs. To help meet those needs, people are increasingly looking for new uses of solar energy that can help them protect their homes during outages. Here’s why.

Living in the Northeast when the seasons are changing can prove costly if your home is not energy efficient. You can easily spend hundreds of dollars on a heat pump, furnace repair or replacement, a pellet stove, air sealing, insulation, ventilation, or roof repair or replacement just to name a few. The list of potential fall weatherization and energy efficiency projects is often big, and finding funds necessary to pay for such efforts may be just enough to make some people think it’s simply not affordable for them.   

Air sealing and insulating are relatively low-cost solutions to climate control in your home or office. Whether you are dealing with heat and humidity in the summer, cold and drafty spaces in the winter, or both, you will save both money and energy by taking some simple steps to tighten up your structure’s envelope (the physical barrier between air conditioned and unconditioned spaces).  

With the heating season coming up quick, this is a good time to assess your home heating equipment to make sure it’s in good working order. By maintaining your equipment, you’ll ensure that your stove, boiler, furnace, mini-split, or other heating unit performs as efficiently as possible. Here are some tips to help you get ready for the cold weather:

This is an exciting time for plug-in electric vehicle (EV) buyers. Manufacturers are producing more affordable electric cars in a wider array of models than ever before. And now, the Vermont Public Utility Commission (PUC) is investigating how electric utilities and others can promote the ownership and use of electric vehicles in the state. If you’re on the fence about buying an EV, this article may help you pick a side.

If your house were a human, the attic and roof would be its head—that part of the human anatomy that loses the most heat. Just as you would wear a hat in the winter, you want to make sure your attic and roof are protected against the elements.

If you’re not sure if you can afford to improve the energy efficiency of your home, you’re in good company. Lots of people wonder not only about how to pay for home improvements but also about what upgrades make the most sense. The good news is that you can get help about both concerns. At Efficiency Vermont, it’s my job to give objective advice about lowering energy use within any budget. One of the ways that many people are able to make their dream of an efficient home a reality is with a low-interest energy loan.