Home Modernization Navigator

A black man sits at a desk and talks to a black woman over video conference software on his laptop.

The Challenge: Help Residents Navigate Decarbonization Programs & Projects

Massachusetts residents pursuing electrification, efficiency and renewable energy projects must navigate a complex landscape of programs and incentives. Additionally, many of these programs have historically underserved renters, low- and moderate-income residents, and non-native English speakers. Residents need customized, ongoing support to help them navigate these programs based on their unique interests and needs.

About the Home Modernization Navigator

The Home Modernization Navigator program will assist owners and occupants of one- to four-unit residential buildings in reducing their homes’ greenhouse gas emissions through electrification, efficiency, and renewable energy projects. The program will launch in Springfield and Lowell, MA, focusing on equitable customer outreach and support, particularly for underserved groups, such as renters, low- and moderate-income residents, and Environmental Justice Populations. MassCEC intends for the program to expand statewide after the initial launch.

Program Priorities

The Home Modernization Navigator will be a centralized, customer-focused program to connect customers with available clean energy opportunities—a priority in the state’s Clean Energy and Climate Plan for 2050. The program will provide decarbonization support on technical questions and help customers navigate available incentives and financing. Massachusetts is also dedicated to ensuring a just energy transition for all residents; the Navigator will support landlords/renters, low- and moderate-income residents, and Environmental Justice populations to ensure equitable access to decarbonization customer support. Through the program, MassCEC hopes to gather insights into the effectiveness of these services and understand residents’ common questions and obstacles to improve future customer support efforts.

Project Team

MassCEC is excited to partner with Abode Energy Management and All In Energy as the Home Modernization Navigator. Abode is a Massachusetts-based energy management and consulting firm with expertise in residential building science, energy efficiency, and decarbonization. All In Energy is a non-profit with deep experience working with underserved communities. Both organizations have a proven track record of offering decarbonization customer support and are involved in many of the other residential decarbonization efforts in Massachusetts.

Program Area

High Performance Buildings

Community Engagement

Env. Justice/DEI

Questions? Contact

Program Timeline

Process step	timing
Program Launch in Springfield & Lowell	November 2024
Phase 1: Springfield & Lowell	Through Summer 2025
Potential Statewide Expansion	TBD

Priority Audiences

Owners and occupants of 1-4 unit residential buildings in Springfield, MA and Lowell, MA.

Questions with Answers

Last updated June 26, 2024.

1. Why is the program launching in Springfield and Lowell?

These municipalities were selected because they have a high percentage of Environmental Justice block groups, and they both have existing Mass Save Community First Partnership and EmPower Massachusetts campaigns. Additionally, targeted outreach is already planned in Springfield as part of a state-funded climate marketing campaign. The Navigator will coordinate with the community organizations managing these local campaigns and may expand to other municipalities during the initial launch phase.

2. Will participating customers receive incentives?

Participating Residential Customers will not receive incentives through the Navigator program. The Navigator’s purpose is to provide technical guidance on clean energy appliances and systems, including air-source heat pumps, solar electricity, and heat pump water heaters, and to help customers access available incentives and financing.

3. Will Navigator support be available in languages other than English?

In Phase 1, the Navigator will conduct outreach and customer engagements in English, Spanish, Portuguese, and Khmer, based on the most spoken languages in Springfield and Lowell. A Clean Energy Lives Here website will be built out in Portuguese and Khmer, similar to the current Spanish site. If Navigator services are expanded statewide, the Navigator will ensure language accessibility for other commonly spoken languages in Massachusetts, including Haitian Creole, Chinese, and Vietnamese.