Save Energy, Save Money- Get Support

For the past few years, warming weather has meant milder winters in New England. But this past one was a throwback – with temperatures far colder than we’ve seen in a while. That, in part, caused home heating prices to rise sharply across the state. As more residents search for help with skyrocketing expenses, the City of Cambridge is proud to offer free, one-on-one assistance understanding bills, making homes more energy efficient, and lowering energy costs.

Residents just have to call one number: the Cambridge Energy Helpline, 617-430-6230. It connects callers to an adviser who explains the array of energy programs the City offers & supports.

"The Cambridge Energy Helpline offers an easy way to receive personalized support and find programs that are right for you,” said Brad Pillen, a City of Cambridge Energy Engagement Associate Planner. “Regardless of whether you rent or own your home, or what type of building you live in, if you pay a gas or electric bill, there is a program for you."

The Helpline is a service offered by the Cambridge Office of Sustainability and supported by All in Energy, a nonprofit that works in more than 50 Massachusetts communities. Last year, Helpline advisers assisted more than 100 Cambridge residents who called in.

Many of those residents signed up for no-cost Energy Bill Checkups that verify enrollment in income-qualifying discount programs. Checkups also ensure residents are signed up for the Cambridge Community Electricity (CCE) program, which has saved customers $36 million since it began in 2017*. Last year, Cambridge introduced a new lower cost CCE option, Economy Green, that residents can join at any time. 

Advisers put people who needed help paying heating bills in touch with the Fuel Assistance program. They also connected residents to Community Solar, which allows customers to lower their electricity costs by as much as 20% by buying into off-site solar energy systems to receive credits on their utility bills.

Renters, owners and landlords of single-family homes, apartments or condos took advantage of free Home Energy Assessments that offer customized advice about ways to save energy, including weatherization techniques. For those looking to install high-efficiency appliances and heating and cooling equipment, the City’s Electrify Cambridge program helps residents figure out how to cover initial costs and provides financial assistance.

Cambridge’s energy programs serve dual purposes: they improve families’ health and welfare while also transitioning the community off of fossil fuels, which cause the greenhouse gasses that warm the planet. By giving residents the tools to help themselves and the world, the City hopes to ensure a better future for everyone, everywhere.

*Note: the City can't guarantee future savings