Monthly Archives: October 2019

Cambridge Clean Heating and Cooling Informational Workshop

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The City of Cambridge is hosting a second public informational workshop for the newly launched Cambridge Clean Heating and Cooling Marketplace, an initiative to help residents make their homes more comfortable, save energy, and cut their carbon footprint. The program will support residents who are interested in learning about installing air-source heat pumps, such as ductless minisplits, and solar hot water.

The Community Development Department will host the workshop on Thursday, November 14th from 6:30-8:00pm at the Citywide Senior Center (806 Massachusetts Avenue), Arts & Crafts Room.

Residents are encouraged to attend to learn more about air-source heat pumps and the Cambridge Clean Heating and Cooling Marketplace. Click here to register for the event. 

The City is working with Boston-based EnergySage to develop this program, which helps residents request, receive, and compare air source heat pump and/or solar hot water quotes from local, reputable contractors. An EnergySage expert Energy Advisor will be available to provide independent support every step of the way to help residents review technology options and installation quotes.

Many Cambridge residents have already installed heat pumps and solar hot water, thanks to generous rebates from state and utility programs. The Cambridge Clean Heating and Cooling Marketplace will help residents ensure that they are taking full advantage of these incentives.

Heat pumps and solar hot water are a great way for residents to save on their utility bills and reduce their home’s carbon footprint, while making it more comfortable. Air-source heat pumps, often called minisplits, are powered by electricity and move heat into or out of a home, instead of burning gas or oil to create heat. As a result, heat pumps deliver energy-efficient heating and cooling, year-round, and can be zoned by an individual room. Though they require electricity to operate, heat pumps use up to 70% less electricity than traditional electric-resistance heating and can be powered by clean electricity.

At this workshop, you’ll have the chance to learn more about the technologies, meet an installer, and get your questions answered! Click the link to register: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/cambridge-clean-heating-and-cooling-public-workshop-tickets-78221361197?aff=camb

Consumer Alert: Beware of Electricity Offers

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Many Cambridge residents receive phone calls, letters and door-to-door solicitors asking them to switch their electricity supply.  Some solicitors even say they work for your utility company, Eversource, or are approved by the City. Eversource will never knock on your door or call you about your electricity bill. Do not show anyone your utility bill or share your utility account number unless you actually want to change your electricity supplier. Beware of the many ways that suppliers can drive up your electricity bills. Some suppliers offer low introductory rates that quickly escalate. Some suppliers charge you to end your contract.

If you experience an interaction with an electricity supplier that you think was misleading, pushy or deceptive please report it:
Department of Public Utilities Consumer Division
617-737-2836
DPUConsumer.Complaints@state.ma.us
Tell the DPU the name of the company, the issue, and the date of the occurrence.

The City of Cambridge offers a safe and consumer friendly electricity supply, the Cambridge Community Electricity Program. The City has had volunteers promoting the 100% renewable electricity option and Community Electricity Program volunteers will be clearly identified as volunteers.

Most residents are automatically enrolled in the City’s Community Electricity Program. The City of Cambridge rate is fixed from now through December 2020 at 11.12 ¢/kWh. The 100% renewable electricity rate is 11.94 ¢/ kWh.  While the City does not guarantee savings, Cambridge residents enrolled in the Community Electricity Program have saved over $10 million dollars compared to Eversource.

You can check your bill to see if you are currently enrolled in the Cambridge Community Electricity program.  Look on your bill for:

CAMBRIDGE COMM ELEC
DIRECT ENERGY
Billing for CITY OF CAMBRIDGE

If you see a different supplier listed on your bill and want help switching to the City’s Community Electricity program, please call or email Meghan Shaw. You can also contact Meghan about suppliers that you feel have misleading, pushy or deceptive.

Meghan Shaw
617-349-5323
mshaw@cambridgema.gov

If you would like to sign up for the Cambridge Community Electricity Program’s 100% renewable electricity, please call the City’s supplier:

Direct Energy:
1-866-968-8065