(Concord, NH) BetterBuildings is partnering with New Hampshire Electric Cooperative and Unitil to increase the scope and financing of the utilities’ popular energy efficiency programs. The increased funding will allow Unitil and NHEC to expand access to programs that offer incentives for energy-saving upgrades and no-interest financing for renovation costs.

Residents served by either electric utility can sign up for the Home Performance with ENERGY STAR program online at their company’s web site. An energy professional will analyze their building and provide a list of upgrades and improvements customized for their home. Homeowners can receive a 50% rebate – up to $4,000 – to pay for the renovation costs. Some of the eligible energy efficient improvements include adding insulation, reducing air infiltration and leakage, sealing ductwork, upgrading lighting, replacing old, inefficient refrigerators, installing water saving devices, and replacing home heating systems.

“We know that many people want their homes to be more efficient, but they don’t know where to start or have the cash on hand to do the work,” said BetterBuildings Program Manager Kate Peters. “This partnership allows even more homeowners to get upgrades and affordable options for financing them.”

The BetterBuildings collaboration will allow NHEC members to install additional efficiency measures not previously offered. It also allows Unitil’s customers to access additional financing up to $20,000for these efficiency measures not previously covered, like exterior insulated siding, ENERGY STAR appliances, ENERGY STAR doors and windows, mold/mildew remediation, and radon/water mitigation.

“Enhanced financing means that our customers can do more work and the upgrades are payable right on their monthly utility bill,” Unitil Energy Efficiency Program Coordinator Ben Stephenson said.

The partnerships with Unitil and NHEC are part of a series of expansions of the BetterBuildings residential program. A similar collaboration with Public Service of New Hampshire was announced in June. BetterBuildings is administered by the NH Office of Energy and Planning and operated by the Community Development Finance Authority.

Unitil Corporation provides energy for life by safely and reliably delivering natural gas and electricity in New England. We are committed to the communities we serve and to developing people, business practices and technologies that lead to dependable, more efficient energy. Unitil Corporation is a public utility holding company with operations in Maine, New Hampshire and Massachusetts. Together, Unitil’s operating utilities serve approximately 101,400 electric customers and 71,900 natural gas customers. Subsidiaries include Usource, Unitil’s non-regulated business segment. For more information about our people, technologies and community involvement please visit www.unitil.com.

NHEC is a member-owned electric distribution cooperative serving 83,000 members in 115 New Hampshire communities.

The BetterBuildings program is funded by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) through the United States Department of Energy and administered by the New Hampshire Office of Energy and Planning. BetterBuildings is operated in New Hampshire by the Community Development Finance Authority. For more information about BetterBuildings NH, call 603-717-9138 or go to www.BetterBuildingsNH.com.