Energy Efficiency Programs Can Help Lower Utility Bills

Old Saybrook resident and AARP member Jean Caron has been living in her 2,200 square foot home for the past 27 years. When she and her husband made the decision to make their home more energy efficient, they began looking for ways to do so in a cost-effective and timely manner.

“Our house was built in 1969, and as it began to age it became important to us to look for ways to make it as sustainable as possible, ultimately prolonging the life of the house,” said Jean.

Jean is just one of tens of thousands of Connecticut residents who have taken advantage of programs and incentives through Energize Connecticut, Connecticut Light & Power and the United Illuminating Company to lower energy use and monthly energy bills.

Energize Connecticut is an initiative of the Energy Efficiency Fund, The Clean Energy Finance and Investment Authority, the State and your local electric and gas utilities. These initiatives are funded from a small charge on customer energy bills.

Jean participated in the program called Home Energy Solutions℠ (HES)* – a service that brings energy professionals right to your house, condo or apartment, where they locate and seal critical air leaks, replace inefficient lights with energy-saving bulbs, insulate hot water pipes and evaluate heating and cooling equipment, insulation, and major appliances. Last year, more than 40,000 homes participated in the HES program and saved more than $12 million.

All of the service professionals have been screened and approved by CL&P and UI to provide peace of mind that the workers you are letting into your home are competent and authorized to perform the services. They all carry identification on them, and are willing and able to verify who they are upon request.  Learn how to avoid energy-saving scams. 

A HES service, which also has convenient, Saturday appointments available, is valued at an average of $1,000, but as part of the Energize Connecticut initiative, CL&P and UI customers pay only $75 (for homes heating with electricity or natural gas) or $99 (for homes heating with oil or propane). There is no charge for customers who meet certain income guidelines.

“One of the best things about Home Energy Solutions is that they sit down with you when it’s done and go over your options and how you can take additional steps to improve your home’s energy efficiency,” said Jean. “As a result of getting the service, we became eligible for a tax credit and rebate that helped us install a split ductless system.”

That split ductless system, along with other energy-saving measures like the installation of a heat pump water heater, has helped lower Jean’s energy bill by 40 percent.

See also: 6 Simple Home Improvements That Can Slash Your Energy Costs 

After your visit, you may be contacted by either the HES contractor or an affiliated partner to further discuss energy-saving opportunities identified during the visit such as the ductless system Jean installed or additional insulation for your home.  These contractors do not sell customer information to companies not affiliated with the program, and will clearly identify themselves to prevent any confusion.

Low interest or no-interest payment plans are also available to help with energy upgrades over time.

For more information or to sign up for a program, please call 877-WISE-USE (877-947-3873) or visit www.EnergizeCT.com.

*Programs not affiliated with or endorsed by AARP.  Any information you provide to the organizations will be governed by their privacy policy.