When Ryan and Sarah bought their home on Cape Cod in 2024, it had a natural gas boiler with forced hot water that was at least 20 years old.

They knew they wanted to get a heat pump system and heat pump water heater to replace the boiler. Originally planning on applying for a Mass Save Heat Loan, they spent some time getting consultations and quotes from many different contractors on many different system types.

"It became overwhelming, largely because each contractor would tell us something different, though at least there were some aspects that were common or consistent between some of them," said Ryan. "We decided that we wanted a ducted system rather than several mini splits. We ended up with a ducted system put in from the basement instead of the attic, with vents (registers) cut into the floor."

During the delay deciding on their heat pump system, the couple learned about the Energy Saver Home Loan Program (ESHLP) through MassHousing and the Massachusetts Community Climate Bank (MCCB) that made them realize they could significantly expand the energy upgrades for their home.

In addition to heat pumps for heating and cooling, the couple added solar panels, a solar water heater, new siding, and a new front door. They had learned about the ESHLP through the Cape Light Compact.

"We realized this loan program would allow us to do other things beside heat pumps," said Ryan.

The ESHLP helps eligible Massachusetts homeowners cut their energy use and reduce or eliminate their reliance on fossil fuels by at least 20 percent. It provides low-interest rate, second-mortgage loans that support a variety of energy-related home improvements. Another benefit of the program is participants receive guidance on available incentives and tax credits to lower the cost of their home energy projects. Ryan and Sarah are expecting to receive state and federal tax credits for their energy upgrades. They also received a Mass Save rebate for their heat pump system.

Energy Saver Home Loans are made in partnership with Concierge Service Providers (CSPs), who will guide you through all aspects of the home energy improvement process. The couple worked with Kate Coleman at Cape Light Compact, the CSP covering their community, who told them they would qualify to apply for an ESHLP loan.

"The Compact is excited to see another customer leverage the Energy Saver Home Loan to do a comprehensive home energy upgrade," said Chief Administrative Officer Maggie Downey. "The low interest rate and large dollar amount that can be borrowed allows customers like Ryan and Sarah to package multiple energy efficiency projects at once instead of having to phase them in over time, allowing them to start saving energy and money earlier."

From there the couple was referred to Abode Energy Management, the Energy Service Provider for the ESHLP. Joe Fisher, a Decarbonization Consultant from Abode, conducted a no-cost assessment of the couple's home and provided them with a detailed report of solutions that would reduce its energy usage by an estimated 100 percent and reduce their CO2 emissions by four tons a year.

"We appreciated Abode," said Ryan. "Joe Fisher was a good communicator. We went from originally wanting to do heat pumps to adding a new front door, siding, and the solar panels."

According to Joe Fisher, "Ryan and Sarah were fantastic customers to work with over the entire course of their project. They utilized the full potential of the ESHLP to invest in their home beyond their initial objectives after iterative energy modeling showed that they could potentially achieve net-zero home status with the right projects," he added.

"Education and trusted consultation, paired with low‑cost financing, are what enable customers to go further," said Christopher Haringa of Abode. "When homeowners understand how upgrades work together and know they can afford to do them at once, they move beyond single measures and invest in comprehensive, high‑impact energy solutions."

The couple used Cape Cod 5 for their ESHLP loan, which they got with a two percent interest rate.

"Cape Cod 5 appreciates being able to partner with MassHousing, Abode and Cape Light Compact to help local homeowners access affordable financing that makes renewable energy and efficiency upgrades possible," said Liam Cahill, Senior Vice President, Director of Residential Lending Operations at Cape Cod 5. "By offering the Energy Saver Home Loan right here on the Cape, Islands and in Southeastern Massachusetts, we're helping our neighbors lower their energy costs and take meaningful steps toward a more sustainable future."

The couple is very happy with the results.

"It's a great program," said Ryan. "It's available and accessible to be able to do more than one thing at a time. We didn't even think about replacing siding and adding a weather resistive barrier and it was added on very late after a recommendation from Joe." 

Ryan added, "We should be net zero with the solar. We are very environmentally conscious people, and my career is in natural resource management and conservation. It adds value to the home, and we are really happy with what we got out of it. It's a wonderful program and helpful for people to be able to make these upgrades."

Now the only appliance using natural gas is the couple's clothes dryer. 

"We wanted to try and totally get off of natural gas," said Ryan. "The only appliance on gas is the clothes dryer, and we plan to replace that. We got the solar assisted heat pump water heater thanks to Joe mentioning that option and we're glad we went with it. It's a much better way of doing it. Joe did his best to respond to questions and be as available as he could."

Ryan said the couple's experience with Cape Light Compact, Abode, Cape Cod 5 and MassHousing was all positive.

"The team at MassHousing that I have communicated with has been very responsive as well," he said.

The Massachusetts Community Climate Bank at MassHousing, with resources like the ESHLP, is working to accelerate investments to decarbonize the building sector in Massachusetts. As the Commonwealth transitions to a net zero future, MCCB promotes an equitable transition to clean energy by addressing the needs of low- and moderate-income households and environmental justice communities. 

"Helping homeowners achieve net zero energy use in an existing home is really exciting. Ryan and Sarah are proving what's possible through the Energy Saver Home Loan Program with a holistic approach that will pay dividends for years to come," said Maggie Super Church, MCCB Director of Policies and Programs.