Town of Ellington Partners with Energize Connecticut for a Clean Energy Future

The Town of Ellington has joined more than 150 other Connecticut cities and towns in a pledge to increase energy efficiency and support renewable energy by joining the Clean Energy Communities program.

Clean Energy Communities is a nationally-recognized Energize Connecticut program administered by Eversource, UI, and the Connecticut Green Bank to help cities and towns save energy and increase the installation of renewable energy.

To join the program, municipalities pledge to reduce their municipal building energy consumption by 20 percent, attain 20 percent of municipal electricity needs from renewable sources and take other actions to support the deployment of clean energy by 2018.

Public involvement is critical to helping a community reach its energy goals. Once the pledge is signed, residents and businesses that take advantage of Energize CT energy efficiency programs can help their community earn a grant, ranging from $5,000 to $15,000, which can be used toward a community-selected energy saving project. Through participation in Energize CT renewable energy programs, they can also help their community earn a solar photovoltaic (PV) energy system that can be installed on a municipal building.

One energy-saving program all Eversource customers can participate in is Home Energy Solutions℠ (HES), a convenient, in-home service designed to help you save money on your energy bills and make your home more comfortable year round.

Eversource-authorized contractors will come to your home or apartment and perform a thorough energy assessment to locate inefficiencies and pinpoint critical drafts and air leaks. Once identified, the specialists make on-the-spot energy improvements, which include caulking critical areas, installing weather stripping as needed and adding hot water pipe insulation. You will also receive compact fluorescent and LED light bulbs, and water-saving aerators.

At the end of the visit, the specialists sit down with you and review all of the tests they performed. They will then discuss additional opportunities to improve your home’s energy performance, such as replacing older appliances, heating and cooling equipment, and upgrades to insulation. They will provide you with a customized report that estimates the potential savings and costs, along with access to the rebates, instant discounts, and payment plans you may be eligible for.

While these services are valued at an average of $1,000, the cost for the HES service is only $99, with the fee waived for income-eligible residents. The average home in Connecticut will save approximately $250 annually after completing the initial HES visit.

Residents and businesses looking to save energy and money should visit EnergizeCT.com or call 877.WISE.USE (877-947-3873).

Photo credit: Juergen Richterich via flickr creative commons