CamdenCAN

ENERGY COACHING

Helping Neighbors Make Their Homes More Energy-Efficient

Reducing home energy use holds many potential benefits: greater comfort, cost savings, better indoor air quality, and less use of fossil fuels. Buildings are one of the biggest sources of greenhouse gas pollution in Midcoast Maine. 

CamdenCAN and the Rockport Conservation Commission are establishing a new program to train volunteers who will help local residents navigate ways to reduce their home energy use and find financial help to lower the costs of upgrades. This coaching model is already working well in other Maine communities. 

Energy Coaches are community volunteers who undergo thorough training so they can guide residents in planning and implementing home energy updates—ranging from insulation and weatherization to the installation of heat pumps, heat-pump hot water heaters, solar panels and battery back-up. Coaches can access expert sources to help answer questions and can make the contracting process easier.

Interested in having an Energy Coach help your household?

If you sign up to participate, you will get free support from a pair of coaches who

  • Provide a home visit to help assess needs; 
  • Review energy-saving options such as weatherization, insulation, heat pumps and solar, explaining terms that are unfamiliar;
  • Summarize options and provide information on financial incentives and income-eligible grants and loans; and
  • Follow up as needed throughout the process to help answer questions.

Click here if you’d like a coach to visit your home.

Interested in Becoming a Volunteer Energy Coach?

  • Volunteers don’t need technical skills or expertise to sign up. They will join a cohort of others getting trained by building science experts to help guide local residents through the process of improving home efficiency. 
  • After the initial training, coaches are offered ongoing opportunities to enhance their skills and learn from each other and industry professionals.
  • Coaches commit to a few hours a week, split between trainings, home visits and follow-up. 
  • Learn more about the coach training that starts this fall at an information session with free pizza Monday October 27 from 5-6:30 p.m. at Flatbread Pizza in Rockport.

Click here to volunteer as an Energy Coach.