Participating homeowners will be able to access an online one-stop shop for energy efficiency services, including information on contractors, available incentives, and rebates (Commonwealth of Massachusetts 2011). This website will also help homeowners understand the ratings they have received (Sherman 2012). Furthermore, the website will also provide analysis tools to help homeowners track their energy use and offer rewards for energy use reductions (Massachusetts EEA 2012). The planning and implementation of the pilot has been conducted with extensive outreach to homeowners, contractors, and local officials (Massachusetts EEA 2012). Outcomes The retrofits and ratings in Massachusetts’ Greater Springfield pilot are being kicked off in the spring of 2012 (Sherman 2012). As a result, there is no hard data on retrofit needs, home energy performance, or market response just yet. In general, many people have appreciated getting a free rating of their home’s energy performance (Sherman 2012), and city officials have been largely welcoming and supportive of the pilot as well. Pushback from the real estate community was more also “muted” than it has been on the commercial rating pilots. Of course, there has been some concern from a few stakeholders. In regards to building rating and thermal imaging, Sherman notes that there was some “concern about the lack of or loss of privacy,” although this was largely attributable to a small number of vocal citizens (Sherman 2012). In these pilots, success for the Commonwealth is defined in large part by the reactions of key stakeholders to the rating process, i.e. the homeowners, city officials, and tenants. If the stakeholders can agree that the ratings are fair, Sherman notes, that would address one of the biggest hurdles to residential building rating (Sherman 2012).
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