The City of Lowell in partnership with National Grid, Advanced Building Analysis, UMass Lowell and the Massachusetts Department of Energy Resources will launch the “Getting to Zero Energy Challenge”.  The challenge is a competition created to award homeowners or developers who are able to develop a strategy to implement energy efficiency and renewable energy sources into existing residential buildings that will come closest to a Net Zero Energy building.  Two proposals that show the deepest energy reductions for existing residential buildings with between one and four units will receive a $25,000 award to help fund implementation of the plan.  The competition offers two separate tracks for applicants to compete in, the first is targeted for projects that currently or will house residents that are classified as low or medium income households according the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), the second will be unrestricted by household income limits.
 
The competition seeks to elevate the understanding of ‘green’ building technology and strategies available to increase energy efficiency and/or produce energy through alternative forms.  The competition will facilitate the development of best practices in order to reach this goal, with competition winners serving as a model for other Lowell developers and homeowners seeking ways to reduce their energy needs.  The long-term goal is to make viable efficiency measures and renewable technologies for homeowners in order to reduce the cost burden of energy needed to operate their homes. 

For more information on the “Getting to Zero Energy Challenge”, contact Aaron Clausen or Sandy Swaile at 978-446-7200. Information on the competition can be found at gettingtozero.lowellma.gov