The HeatSmart Alliance has volunteer coaches who can guide a homeowner through the process of converting a heating and cooling system to heat pumps. They help clients become better informed about the options and as a result, more confident about deciding on equipment and a provider.Our volunteers typically serve homeowners in the communities in which they reside and occasionally nearby communities, and strive to follow our coaching principles.

A volunteer coach typically…

• Collects information about the existing conditions in a client’s home and their heating system, and asks about their needs and priorities
• Helps a client understand how heat pumps compare with conventional systems, and suggests questions to ask HVAC installers when they visit the home
• Suggests which type(s) of heating/cooling and/or water-heating equipment configurations might be best suited to their needs
• Suggests getting a no-cost Mass Save® energy audit (if eligible)
• Informs clients about local, state and federal financial incentives for which they might be eligible
• May assist clients with understanding and comparing heating system quotes, and suggest follow-up questions for installers
• May analyze a home’s heating requirements based on past fuel usage.

Our coaches try to make the process of switching to heat pumps easier while respecting each client’s unique needs and priorities. Our volunteer coaches are not Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning (HVAC) professionals, but most have a good understanding of home heating and cooling systems, as well as heat pump water heaters, and should be able to answer a homeowner’s specific questions or refer them to trusted resources.

Please note

• Coaching services may be offered via video conference, telephone, or in person (if both the homeowner and coach agree)
• Access to coaching services depends on the availability of a trained, volunteer coach in the community in which a homeowner resides
• While our coaches do not accept payment or gifts for their services, the Alliance welcomes tax-deductible donations to acknowledge the benefits they provide (see Donate).