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New Englanders have a long history of independence and resilience – that’s why many homeowners are hoping to age in place, to remain in their own houses, in the communities they’ve loved and been part of for decades. And while accessibility upgrades often get the spotlight in these discussions, renewable energy technologies play critical roles in allowing residents to remain in their homes. Solar panels, battery storage, and heat pumps can help homeowners lower energy costs, improve comfort, and keep systems running safely during power outages, supporting greater independence as they age.
The Challenges:
Homeowners need solutions that reduce ongoing expenses while improving comfort and reliability. Here are some challenges faced by homeowners trying to age-in-place:
- Energy costs are rising rapidly across New England, and increasing utility bills are tough to handle on a fixed retirement budget.
- You’ve worked hard – you deserve to be comfortable! Older homes often struggle with temperature and, especially in our northern climate, air conditioning was not part of the original home design.
- Power outages can be a major safety concern, especially for residents needing refrigerated medications, CPAP machines, or other essential home care technologies.
The good news? Modern renewable energy technologies can address all three concerns at once.
The Solutions:
Solar: lower costs, greater financial predictability
By going solar, homeowners lock in a fixed rate for electricity for years to come. You’re protecting your home from future rate hikes, reducing your monthly expenses, and generating clean energy right on your roof. And another perk – it increases the value of your home, so whenever you or your family decide to sell, you’ll recoup that initial investment. It’s a win for you, and a win for your grandchildren and future generations. Solar helps make staying in your home realistic for a long time, regardless of what happens with volatile electric rates.
Battery storage: backup power when it’s needed most
Medical devices, refrigeration, lighting, and cell phones are critical in storms, and without battery storage, your solar array will not work in a grid outage. But with a backup battery, you’ll be seamlessly switched over – no loud, clunky generator to drag out of the basement and try to power up with propane. Many of our battery customers say they never even notice the power loss until they hear their neighbor’s generator start up. Stay in touch with loved ones, keep your medications refrigerated, and stay warm – through every storm.
Heat pumps: year-round comfort, super efficiently
We get it – most New England homes don’t have central air conditioning. It never used to get hot enough to need it! But summers are getting hotter, and you’re way past the days of draping ice packs around your neck; you deserve a comfortable home. Air source heat pumps keep you cool in the summer, and warm in the winter – without the hefty price of an oil bill. They’re super-efficient, and easy to control; you won’t need to figure out how and when to install a huge window unit (it’s probably covered in mildew anyway).
Case Study: Beth and Ruth, Solar Champions
ReVision Energy customers Beth and Ruth first began to think about their home as a retirement investment when they were in their 50s. Owning a two-story saltbox home with a garden in front, Beth and Ruth knew that adding solar would give them a retirement free of electricity payments. And in addition to providing them with a predictable electric rate, their solar powers three large freezers where they store their summertime garden harvest – increasing their ability to be independent.
When we first considered a solar investment, we did it in part as a way to diversify our retirement investments. We were in our 50s and knew that the investment would provide stable, zero-dollar electric costs when we retired. We’ll be installing electric heat (powered by our excess solar production) soon to reduce the wood we cut for our wood stove. That will be key to aging in place.
Beth M., Canterbury, NH
“Two women on nonprofit salaries made this happen,” adds Ruth. “A lot of people could do this, it doesn’t have to be the super-rich or the super-crunchy folks.”
Case Study: Cumberland Crossing
One of ReVision’s commercial customers is already deep into the connection between aging-in-place and renewable energy. OceanView at Falmouth, in Maine, is an active retirement community at the forefront of sustainability, with rooftop solar arrays on most of their cottages. With over 2,000 solar panels installed across their neighborhoods and more on the way, OceanView residents are thankful to live in a community where their energy costs are controlled.
One OceanView resident told the Bangor Daily News recently that the solar panels on their independent living cottage offset their electric bill so significantly that they only pay basic service charges during the summer months. The solar panels, heat pumps, and battery storage allow homeowners to enjoy greater comfort, predictability, and budget protection.
The End Goal: Your Forever Home
Solar panels can help reduce and stabilize energy costs; battery storage can provide peace of mind during outages; and heat pumps can deliver efficient, year-round comfort. Together, these technologies help create homes that are comfortable, and affordable to operate over the long term. New Englanders have a long history of independence – there’s no reason why you should have to give that up in your retirement.
Homes that are mostly electric and powered by the sun are more comfortable and more resilient; they preserve your independence and your quality of life. Don’t move away from the communities you’ve grown to love – just increase the accessibility and affordability of your home.
