The Town of Acton’s Clean Energy Coaching program, which launched in late winter 2023, is expanding its cadre of trained volunteer coaches. The program provides free access to coaches for residents, businesses, and organizations in Acton interested in learning about and making clean energy upgrades to their homes, buildings, and practices.
Residents and businesses who work with coaches to implement one or more clean energy strategies not only reduce their own emissions contributions to the climate crisis, but also advance the community’s progress on its climate goals. The Sustainability Office is developing methods for tracking outcomes of the program.
Program coaches have worked, to date, with more than one hundred Acton “clients” to help them understand, plan for, and — when desired — execute clean energy upgrades. Such upgrades might include weatherization and insulation, heat pump systems (for heating and cooling), solar panel installation, cleaner electricity supply via Acton Power Choice (Green or Standard options), electric vehicles (EVs), heat pump appliances (such as clothes dryers and hot water heaters), and more. Coaches can provide information and guidance throughout the learning, decision-making, and execution processes.
Acton resident and Clean Energy Coaching client Chloe Morel Haberstro commented, “My Clean Energy Coach came to my home to help me understand my options in making my home more energy efficient. I had done a MassSave energy audit, but didn’t really understand next steps. My coach reviewed my audit, saw my home, heard my concerns, and came up with a potential plan and concrete next steps. Having him come to my home made the process so much easier and more personal. It was clear he had had comprehensive training, was able to answer many of my questions, and then followed up over email with more information. And his enthusiasm for clean energy upgrades was contagious!”
Another program client, Acton’s Andy Platt, said, “We are sitting cozily in our newly emissions-free home on the first day following the installation of our heat pump system for heating and cooling. This process began in the spring of 2023 when we met with our Clean Energy Coach during an environmental house tour. Let’s be clear: without our coach’s support we likely would never have started this project, much less completed it within seven months. Our coach was by our side throughout the process: introducing us to new terminology, advising us at each step, guiding us in going out for bids, and clarifying with the contractor the need for certain design elements. We are most grateful for this Town of Acton program — a remarkable and helpful clean energy/decarbonization resource.”
Eight volunteer coaches were trained before the launch of the program in late winter 2023. In response to demand for these coaching services, the Sustainability Office will expand the number of coaches, and is actively seeking any Acton resident who may be interested in becoming a Clean Energy Coach. According to Acton Sustainability Director Andrea Becerra, coaches will have had some prior experience with clean energy technologies, and would train with Abode Energy Management and other experts.
Any Acton resident interested in becoming a Clean Energy Coach should apply before December 31, using the Acton Clean Energy Coach application form. For more information, email Sustainability@ActonMA.gov or call (978) 929-6515.
Debra Simes is a member of the Acton Climate Coalition, which works with the Town of Acton’s Sustainability Office on multiple initiatives, including the Clean Energy Coaching program.