Springfield, MA – The Pioneer Valley Planning Commission (PVPC) is starting up a regional energy coaching pilot program for participating communities with funding from Massachusetts Department of Energy Resources (DOER), as part of a $140,700 grant awarded to PVPC through the DOER’s Regional Energy Planning Assistance (REPA) program. Almost 20 communities will be participating in the pilot program.
PVPC is partnering with HeatSmart Alliance and MassEnergize to develop and run this program, which will help homeowners learn about energy-efficient heating and cooling technologies and better understand the process and benefits of installing heat pumps in their homes. Clean energy technology such as heat pumps, also sometimes called mini-splits, can be confusing or overwhelming for consumers. The energy coaching program is designed to reduce those barriers and help homeowners through the decision-making process.
The HeatSmart Alliance will train volunteer clean energy coaches who will guide homeowners through the process of exploring heat pump installations. Clean energy coaches will take a no-cost six session training course focused on weatherization, heating and cooling systems, heat pumps, and incentives. Once trained, volunteer coaches will be matched with homeowners who request assistance, and there will be a website where homeowners can sign up for coaching services. Recruitment for the heat pump coach training program is currently underway, with training sessions beginning April 23. To learn more about becoming a volunteer heat pump coach and register for the training, see here: Pioneer Valley Energy Coaching.
“This funding allows us to strengthen our clean energy initiatives while providing hands-on support to participating communities across the Pioneer Valley,” said Kimberly H. Robinson, Executive Director at PVPC. “By bringing municipalities together and expanding resources like the energy coaching program, we can help communities and residents navigate the transition to cleaner, more efficient energy solutions.”
“We are excited to be starting up this pilot regional energy coaching program and providing assistance to Pioneer Valley residents who want to transition to clean energy,” said Mimi Kaplan, Senior Environmental Planner at PVPC. “Thank you to the DOER for helping PVPC provide clean energy planning and technical assistance for communities across the Pioneer Valley.”