1 4 | 2 0 1 7 N O R A A N N U A L R E P O R T simply do nothing to achieve these.
MEMA also provided consumers
with the opportunity to learn more
about how to increase efficiency,
reduce usage and improve comfort
through the use of improved controls,
equipment and upgraded systems.
MEMA continued its rebate program
to encourage homeowners to upgrade
boilers, furnaces and tanks.
MEMA engaged in an education
program for home inspectors so that
the home inspector community understands
the benefits of oilheat, biofuels,
and the cleanliness of using oil
when inspecting a home. The Inspector
can speak positively about oilheat
once they understand its efficiency
and cleanliness. Further, the home
inspector program fully educates inspectors
on proper installation and
operation of home oil tanks. Ensuring
high quality tanks remain and poor
ones are upgraded at the time of the
real estate transaction.
MEMA further improved the Maine
Technical Education Center, which is
being used to encourage adoption of
the latest in biofuels and spotlight the
best applications and efficient uses
of biofuels and biofuel blends, including
those blends made in Maine. The
Center showcases the interaction of
high-efficient equipment, controls and
ventilation, combined with existing
technologies, to assist consumers to
make cost-effective upgrades to more
fuel efficient heating oil systems. Also,
to make cost-effective modifications
to an existing heating system to improve
its efficiency and reduce energy
consumption through cost-effective
energy efficiency programs while improving
its safe operation.
Finally, with the help of NORA,
MEMA is training dozens of technicians,
giving them the latest skills
needed to install high efficiency boilers
and furnaces, integrating other
fuels into the central system and
understanding and promoting renewable
liquid biofuels (Bioheat®) use in
the home.
NORA provides the people of Maine
the opportunity to better understand
the role and environmental benefits
of renewable liquid biofuels; the highefficiency
operation of today’s modern
oilheating equipment, and the training
to those who professionally install and
service oilheat equipment.
As a state where a majority of
homes use oilheat, the Maine Energy
Marketers Association is intent on
helping homeowners maximize their
energy efficiency and continue to
feel good about their home’s energy.
In keeping with this focus, MEMA
launched a robust consumer education
and equipment rebate program
in 2017.
Since the program’s launch, hundreds
of homeowners have upgraded
their heating equipment, thousands
of homeowners have visited the program’s
consumer-facing website and
tens of thousands of Mainers have
received Efficiency Matters in Maine
newsletters. Oilheat has a strong presence
in Maine and MEMA’s efforts to
support oilheat customers, oilheat
dealers and the industry at large will
continue to pay dividends into the
future.
MASSACHUSETTS
In Massachusetts, the Massachusetts
Energy Marketers Association
(MEMA) utilized its NORA funds to
fulfill the requirements of the NORA
statute. In the areas of consumer education
and industry training, MEMA
completed statewide media campaigns
to advance consumer messaging
on clean, renewable Bioheat® and
energy efficiency using oil-fired heating
systems; created and produced
marketing materials for retail heating
oil dealers to use with customers to
advance Bioheat® use, announced the
introduction of ultra-low sulfur fuel
and improve energy efficiency; and
conducted several training sessions to
advance the skills of heating technicians,
customer service representatives
and company owners.
The association also created and
implemented a very successful equipment
rebate program whereby oil
heat customers could access up-to
$650.00 per household to replace
older boilers, furnaces and heating oil
storage tanks. The program has assisted
over 2000 homeowners statewide.
Finally, the association conducted
focus group research with millennials
to ascertain their views on oil heat,
Bioheat® and energy efficiency so that
retail heating oil dealers can meet
changing consumer demands and
concerns.
As part of its requirements under
the Association charter and the NORA
authorization Act, MEMA provides
consumer information on Bioheat®
fuel on its website at massenergymarketers.
org. In 2017 this website
was re-developed and is now deviceresponsive
for mobile and desktop accessibility.
The content and design was
also revised to include additional information
for consumers on Bioheat®
fuel benefits, upgrades, environmental
benefits and dealer service as well as
assistance programs and the MEMA
rebate program. It also features public
information on NORA training programs
and content for real estate professionals.