Now that the end of winter has finally arrived, and we are beginning to see sunshine and green grass again, it is time to start preparing your house for summer. Spring is the prime time to get outside and enjoy the weather, but it is also the perfect time to...
HEAT Squad Energy Audits: A Step-by-Step Guide from Intake to Rebate
When it comes to weatherization, knowing where to start is often the biggest hurdle. How do I know if my current insulation is working? Is the moisture in my basement an issue? How do I get a contractor to call me back? HEAT Squad can help you sort through all...
Heat Pumps for $51 a Month (Really!)
Efficient Cooling (and Heating) with Heat Pumps While our stubborn refusal to buckle to temperature extremes in Vermont is a cherished bragging right, it’s worth pointing out the fact: there is nothing inherently evil in air conditioning. Okay, maybe an argument could be made about window units. BUT there’s a...
HEAT Squad Receives Home Performance with ENERGY STAR Century Club Award
The Department of Energy Century Club Award recognizes Home Performance with ENERGY STAR contractors that have improved the energy efficiency of more than 100 homes in the past year. HEAT Squad is one of a few dozen organizations in the U.S. to receive this coveted award. Since 2012, HEAT Squad has...
7 Things You Probably Didn’t Know About Heat Pumps
Let's start with the basics: What are heat pumps? Residential heat pumps, also called “mini-splits,” are composed of an exterior unit and typically wall mounted interior units. The two or more units are connected by small refrigerant pipes. Heat pumps use electricity to move air to cool and heat your...
11 Tips for Keeping your Home Cool without Air Conditioning
Keeping your Home Cool in the Hot Heat The other day the thermostat in our office hit 80 degrees. After the snowstorm in early April, this was a complete shock to our systems – we all felt like we were dying. Our office is equipped with cold-climate heat pumps, but...
17 Available Cash Incentives for Energy Efficiency Upgrades in Vermont
1. Home Performance with ENERGY STAR: Up to $2,000 custom incentive This incentive covers insulation, air sealing, and heating and ventilation systems improvements. So, how do you know what work to do? Get a HEAT Squad Energy Audit, and we'll walk you through the rest. Our BPI-Certified Energy Auditor will...
8 Easy Steps to Get Your Home Ready for Winter
Bundle up- we’re in for a cold one! Have you heard the news from the 2017 Farmers’ Almanac? "While last winter was a reprieve from shoveling and high fuel bills,” says the Farmers’ Almanac, “the party is over." "Last year's El Niño produced warmer than normal weather, extremely warmer," said...
AmeriCorps Energy Efficiency Job Opportunity in Rutland, Vermont!
HEAT Squad Community Engagement Specialist Full-time, one- year position. HEAT Squad is looking for an outreach person/educator passionate about changing the energy paradigm in the state and educating home and business owners about energy efficiency. Applicants should have strong interpersonal and communication skills, and be excellent writers. Knowledge of the...
“Who Left the Window Open?” A Love Letter to Our 100-Year Old Vermont Home
How our energy audit from HEAT Squad revealed a three square foot hole, and showed us that finishing the project will pay for itself 8 times over while saving us money and making our home more comfortable. “This is the house we have to buy.” It was June, 2006 and...