Submitted by newengland_schmuck t3_zh2t8q in RhodeIsland
Comments
TimeSlipperWHOOPS t1_izk1t7r wrote
Yup. Takes a few months to get someone out to do the assessment, then a few months to get the work done.
MT_Photos t1_izk7mgk wrote
Audit is free and then the work is HIGHLY discounted. Made a huge difference in how my home retains heat for $600 last year (maybe 4k of work for that price)
Sparkleshart t1_izka2ll wrote
It would be a boneheaded move to NOT take advantage. They have incredible programs for modernization and efficiency. I replaced my entire heat/hot water system (which was almost 30 years old) with a 0% loan facilitated by the program. Then they came in and did nearly $7k of insulation work for $0 which made a HUGE difference in heating costs.
NerdyDadGuy1981 t1_izkaph5 wrote
Yes!! We did this about 5 years ago now.
Our heating and electric bills are WAY better now. Electric is almost half of what we used to pay.
They put insulation in our attic and basement, replaced every single bulb with LED bulbs, and put in proper bathroom vents and a few other things I'm forgetting. I think we paid $300-400.
Was worth every penny, highly recommend it.
DKdeeks t1_izkg57h wrote
Mutli-family has a different set of guidelines per RI Energy. Its very difficult to have anything qualify under the program.
BobbleheadGuardian t1_izkhglo wrote
Did it earlier this year. They took forever to respond with a date to arrive, but the guy that came out was super helpful. They give you some super basic stuff and will even setup some kind of contractors if you need anything more professional.
E-Urena t1_izkl89r wrote
I did this 6 years ago. Comes to find out my house had ZERO insulation in the walls. They did $3500 worth of work for like $650. I was busy when they initially sent me the contract for the work which was originally like $900 or so and completely forgot about it. Then I got an email in December saying if I signed the contract before the 5th or something they'd take $300 off. Definitely worth having them come out.
ceramicferns220 t1_izknnde wrote
Highly recommend! Huge difference in the room temperatures and for the amount of work they did, it was very reasonable price.
ceramicferns220 t1_izko0jo wrote
ALSO you’re paying for the subsidization through a fee in the electric/gas bills so you might as take advantage of it
4k5 t1_izkotez wrote
Yes absolutely we bought our place knowing it was uninsulated and learned that you can get this audit down and get blown in insulation subsidized heavily by the gov. It took months from signing up to the actual audit so sign up asap and wait your turn to come up.
The guy told us also that we are allowed a certain dollar a k out each year so we could have gotten it done again the next year and get additional work done subsidized but we just opted to do it all at once.
[deleted] t1_izkpqxe wrote
wellllllll shit :-/
phill0406 t1_izkw2dm wrote
150% I recommend it. They came to my house and did about $6000 worth of insulation work and I got charged zero dollars. It made a SUBSTANIAL difference in the heat/cooling retention of my house, especially upstairs. Its like my house is wearing a fur coat now.
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I didn't have to worry about a thing, they took care of all the permits and scheduling. Only gripe is it took about 6 months start to finish but that's a small price to pay for a bunch of free work.
j0nny5iv3 t1_izky6mq wrote
Sounds like a great program. Do they only do insulation and heating? I have solar and my house seems to be pretty well insulated but I guess it wouldn’t hurt to get checked. I know we’re off season but does anyone know if they have any programs to install central air I know it’s a long shot lol
FrequentAnnual1262 t1_izl13o5 wrote
Highly recommend they installed a new BR fan. Added insulation to the attic, insulated the basement perimeter and noticed our furnace was leaking. All this for $0. They also helped us get 0% interest loan to replace the furnace with a new high efficient one.
SnooDrawings7662 t1_izl1c8y wrote
It doesn't hurt to get it checked - and checking is free. :)
When the auditor comes over - they will go over the full list of available programs.. and if you ask them, they will talk about heating/cooling.
FrequentAnnual1262 t1_izl1dh6 wrote
Not sure about AC, but it is worth a shot.... have them come out anyways.
FuriouslyFurious007 t1_izl4l19 wrote
The insulation is no longer free. It's 50% off.
FuriouslyFurious007 t1_izl4ynb wrote
People keep commenting that the insulation is free. That is no longer the case. Please upvote this so the OP gets the current correct information.
Source: I just had the audit done in September of this year. The guy who came out said the zero cost insulation program ended last year.
PhishPhanKara t1_izl4ze2 wrote
Yes we did in order to qualify for 0% financing to convert from oil to gas. Super helpful and it was free!
neveradullmomenteh t1_izl5dlo wrote
As an electrician who does Knob and Tube Remediation Work with customers who are utilizing RISE, I would 100% recommend going through the energy audit and any programs they offer you.
heloguy1234 t1_izl6idq wrote
Yes. You get a steep discount from their contractors if you get any work done.
grantnlee t1_izlb54s wrote
Was valuable to have the audit and talk to someone knowledgeable as they walk through the house. My attic needs insulation but is pulled high with junk from the last 50 years, which is not practical to clear out during winter time. Kinda put my ability to act on hold. The report/proposal was helpful in that it gave you the cost and the expected time to record the investment.
Status_Silver_5114 t1_izlht7z wrote
We did it several years ago and since we had (non working bht still present knob and tube) we couldn’t get the insulation and the rest of the stuff they did at the end of the day re air flow didn’t make a difference (whatever they tested using scientific instruments didn’t change). So we have a basement with lots of weird insulation (the foam stuff) piped in places that apparently doesn’t do anything. So find out if you have any knob and tube anywhere inside and don’t bother if it does until you get it removed.
hockeyshiz t1_izlnh8o wrote
Just had $7k worth of work done 5 weeks ago for $1700. (Full insulation, air sealing, moisture barriers, roof ventilation, attic air baffles/soffit vents, exhausted my bathroom fan and redid my chimney cap) And they sent me 30 free led light bulbs for the whole house saving me a bunch on electric each month.
hockeyshiz t1_izlnk00 wrote
And got a 24k loan for my new heating and hot water at 0%
edthesmokebeard t1_izlobxh wrote
Let strangers into your home, so that they can give you free flourescent bulbs? No thanks.
And if you DO use any of their so-called programs, you're just fucking over all the other electric bill payers in the state, and funnelling money into the pockets of crony contractors in bed with the State? No thanks.
FuriouslyFurious007 t1_izlx4h7 wrote
AC is not covered under the program, unless you're talking a combo heat pump system that does heating and cooling.
mydrivec t1_izm0pmt wrote
Good deal. I’m glad you are happy to subsidize mine!
edthesmokebeard t1_izm298y wrote
Who said anything about being happy about it? Socialist.
mydrivec t1_izm985d wrote
Oh I meant I’m happy you are subsidizing mine.
rocketmonkeys t1_izm9xce wrote
Wait, how does that work? You mean if someone saves electricity by going with this program, it'll negatively affect all other electric customers in the state? How?
SharpCookie232 t1_izma3w2 wrote
We did it and were very pleased. They found some drafts, added some weatherstripping and added some insulation to our house.
corrupt_gravity t1_izmcwql wrote
Been in our house 2 years in April. This is our first fall after they insulated. We keep our heat relatively low (64 overnight and 66 at 8am). By 6am it feels relatively chilly around 64 and the heat kicks moist mornings to hit 66, but once it hits 66 it doesn't kick on again until the next morning. We get a lot of sun and even on moderate temp cloudy/rainy days the temp will hit 68 if not higher. Most days it's up to 70 and it gradually decreases to a chilly temp will into the middle of the night.
Credit RISE 100% with that. We moved in in April and we had the heat on then, often.
Icy-Memory-5575 t1_izmf5h3 wrote
I tried at a vacant property and they told me to rent it out first and then they will do assessment
climb-high t1_izmkvnk wrote
Yes and yes. Got super cheap insulation
Larrybud75 t1_izn0kka wrote
Yes.
newengland_schmuck OP t1_izndx2f wrote
newengland_schmuck OP t1_izne5wq wrote
The owner of the property needs to contact them to schedule an audit
[deleted] t1_izng1vg wrote
the owner of the property has to care enough :P I tried. my landlord-management-company is a real POS. unfortunately they have the cheapest rent in the area. I get what I deserve I guess... but thanks anyways.
Sparkleshart t1_iznkyj4 wrote
That’s still an amazing deal
RainbowJay t1_iznmymr wrote
Absolutely. Just did mine and got the entire house insulated. Thousands of dollars of work subsidized waaaaay down.
newengland_schmuck OP t1_iznn024 wrote
Just like paying taxes towards public schools, police & fire departments, and public transportation and never using them... it's part of being a citizen in a civilized society.
RainbowJay t1_iznn33h wrote
Really? I have a multi family and the work in the tenant apartment was FULLY subsidized.
Dunder72 t1_iznnuyc wrote
I never implied public schools or police/fire services were free either. My point is none of this stuff is "free"
newengland_schmuck OP t1_iznodmy wrote
Very few things in life are truly "free"... luckily air still is
Dunder72 t1_izoayeu wrote
Still...lol
Hey_Alyyyyy t1_j09j8s9 wrote
They're booking out in March. So call now if you'd like to be warmer for next winter.
Larrybud75 t1_j1mwsk8 wrote
That seems like an owner issue and not a Rise issue.
gorohdee t1_j1zhl5i wrote
great info here! thanks! for those who did this recently, how long did it take from signing contract to getting the insulation contractor to your house? and how long did it take them to be on site?
gorohdee t1_j1zl6hu wrote
Ive heard electricians complain about blown-in insulation. My understanding for external walls, is RISE will blow in from outside through the shingles. How will this affect any future electrical upgrades I need to do? I believe my house has knob and tube
neveradullmomenteh t1_j26006r wrote
If your home has knob and tube, they cannot insulate. An licensed electrician has to certify that there is no knob and tube (RISE will send you the certification form).
FunnyFilmFan t1_izjvcfo wrote
I did it a couple of weeks ago and no regrets. The suggestions seem reasonable and are either free or subsidized. Though the work they recommended won’t be done until January, so I might have a different opinion then.