BERLIN, Connecticut, October 14, 2009 – Local residents looking for an easy way to reduce their monthly energy bills should check out the in-home programs offered by Connecticut Light and Power (CL&P) and funded by the Connecticut Energy Efficiency Fund (CEEF). While more than 25,000 residential owners and renters participated last year, tens of thousands more across the state are eligible – and at little or no cost to them.
The programs help homeowners and renters, small and large businesses, and state and local governments use energy more efficiently. Funded by a small charge on customer utility bills, CEEF has in-home programs administered by CL&P, United Illuminating (UI), and the natural gas utilities that provide owners and renters with a professional energy assessment of their household and trained technicians to make efficiency improvements.
“This is a fast and easy way for residents to reduce their energy utility bills,” said Jeffrey Gaudiosi, chairman of the CEEF. “Using these services can save the average household about $200 per year in energy costs, depending on how they are heated and cooled and the number of appliances used. And the savings continue each year the installed improvements remain effective.” He said participants enjoy even greater savings if they add insulation, replace older appliances with ENERGY STAR®-qualified models and upgrade to efficient heating, cooling and ventilation systems.
Under these in-home programs, efficiency experts visit homes and apartments to conduct a comprehensive energy assessment. After consulting with residents on their findings, trained technicians make improvements valued at up to $700 – more in some cases. The technicians:
Locate and seal drafts, cracks and leaks throughout your home;
Evaluate wall and attic insulation and analyze appliances;
Provide and install energy-saving compact fluorescent light bulbs;
Discuss and leave information about money-saving tips to stay energy efficient year-round;
Provide and install hot water-saving, low-flow shower heads and faucet aerators.
Residential programs include Home Energy Solutions (HES), which is available to all Connecticut residents, regardless of income, for a one-time fee of $75. In addition to a home energy assessment and improvements, HES participants are provided with valuable information about money-saving rebates for additional efficiency upgrades.
There are similar programs for limited-income residents. They include WRAP (Weatherization Residential Assistance Partnership) for CL&P customers and UI Helps for UI customers. Both programs are free to limited-income renters or owners who are at or below 60 percent of the state’s median income levels. Besides making needed weatherization repairs, trained technicians determine whether the energy efficiency of certain household appliances qualifies them for replacement assistance – at no cost to the resident. Renters are required to have their landlord sign a permission statement before participating.
“Programs funded by the CEEF have helped make Connecticut a nationally recognized energy efficiency leader,” said Cathy Lezon, CL&P supervisor. “In 2008 alone, improvements installed from our in-home programs resulted in projected annual savings of more than $6 million. In addition to in-home services, CEEF has a broad portfolio of efficiency programs including additional residential offerings and those tailored for business and government.”
Lezon noted that, overall, the state reduced its electric needs last year by 368 million kilowatt hours, enough to power nearly 44,000 average homes for a full year. These efficiency programs also reduce consumers’ natural gas needs. In 2008, customers who participated in the residential or business programs reduced natural gas use by an estimated 977 million cubic feet, an environmental benefit equivalent to taking 1,027 cars off the road for one year. Over the lifetime of the installed efficiency measures, that benefit is projected to grow to the equivalent of 16,717 automobiles.
Besides saving money, energy efficiency benefits the environment by reducing the need to build new power-generating facilities and by decreasing the use of existing older power plants. In 2008, programs funded by the CEEF offset an estimated 203,000 tons of pollutants and greenhouse gas emissions from electric power plants.
With cold weather approaching, it’s not too soon for owners and renters to start saving money on energy bills. Residents interested in the in-home efficiency programs should call 1-877-WISE USE (1-877-947-3873) or visit www.ctenergyinfo.com.
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The Connecticut Light and Power Company (CL&P) has been part of everyday life in Connecticut for more than 100 years, providing safe and reliable electric service to homes, neighborhoods and businesses. With 1.2 million customers in 149 cities and towns, CL&P is improving the environments you live in, by offering programs in energy conservation, economic development and environmental stewardship. CL&P is a Northeast Utilities company (NYSE: NU). For more information, please visit www.cl-p.com.
The CEEF promotes efficient energy use, helps residents and businesses save on their electric and natural gas bills, advances economic development, reduces electric demand and helps reduce air pollution. CEEF conservation programs serve residential customers, including limited- and fixed-income customers, as well as business and municipal customers. Connecticut’s energy efficiency programs are funded by a charge on customers' utility bills and administered by the state’s electric and gas utilities including: Connecticut Light and Power, United Illuminating, Yankee Gas Services, Connecticut Natural Gas and Southern Connecticut Gas. Additional information on Connecticut's energy efficiency programs can be found atwww.ctenergyinfo.com.