08/14/2026
After 10 months of being your Energy Advocate, signing folks up for no-cost Home Energy Assessments, and assisting with Discount Rate and Heat Assistance applications, there’s (at least) 10 things I’ve learned and would like to share with you:
1. You don’t know what you don’t know: historically, New Bedford residents haven’t participated in Mass Save as much as we could’ve—so now our community has an Energy Advocate (me!) and enhanced incentives (read the next item for those incentives)
2. ALL New Bedford residents are eligible for no-cost energy saving upgrades: Regardless of income, if you live in New Bedford, you’re eligible for no-cost insulation and air-sealing, and if you earn a low or moderate income and heat with a fuel other than gas, you may be eligible for no-cost heat pumps! Call the Energy Advocate at 508-991-6193.
3. Connecting with community is key: Not only has it been a joy to meet you all out in the field, but in case you didn’t know, New Bedford residents may be eligible for free community solar through Joe-4-Sun. If you’d like to learn more, you can call the Energy Advocate!
4. No-Cost Heat Pumps are available: through Mass Save’s Turnkey Services pathway, New Bedford residents that earn moderate income and heat with propane, oil, or electric resistance can access no-cost Heat Pumps.
5. Trees in New Bedford prevent over 49 million gallons of stormwater from entering streams and waterways annually, planting enough trees to offset at least 33 homes’ carbon footprint since 2015, the NB Resilient plan will help us continue that legacy!
6. The value of Weatherization: no-cost weatherization that’s available through Mass Save, including insulation and air-sealing can decrease heating and cooling costs by 15%!
7. Small businesses can benefit from Mass Save too: Mass Save has an energy saving program for small businesses as well. Businesses first receive an Energy Assessment and then receive custom offerings for their building.
8. There are resources for residents everywhere in New Bedford: over the last 10 months, I’ve been partnering with other organizations and learning about the offerings available through their work, some of my favorites include: Foodshed Way New Bedford Community Health, and many more than can be listed here!
9. Sea level rises in our Port are expected to rise 2.5 feet by 2050, and thanks to the NB Resilient plan, New Bedford will be prepared!
10. New Bedford rocks! The last 10 months as your Energy Advocate has also been my first 10 months in New Bedford. It’s been a pleasure to get to know you all and I look forward to the next 10 months!
New Bedford is a Mass Save Community First Partner, increasing participation in energy efficiency programs.
