News in Brief: U.S. Rep. Himes Goes to HCC; UI News

UI Releases Results of Independent Survey on Storm Response: The survey was conducted through a national research organization, The Center for Research based in Meriden, Conn. The results, based on telephone interviews from a random sampling of UI’s residential customers, represent a margin for error of +/-5.0 percent at a 95 percent confidence level.

Among the highlights of the survey’s results:

General overview:

• When asked how prepared they were to be out of power for multiple days, 86 percent reported to be either “very prepared” or “somewhat prepared.”

• Of those surveyed, 62 percent reported losing power during the storm. 

• Of those surveyed, the duration of customer outages were reported as follows:

o   Less than 12 hours (22 percent)

o   12 hours to 1 day (7 percent)

o   1 to 2 days (16 percent)

o   3 to 4 days (28 percent)

o   5 or more days (26 percent)

On restoration:

• 86 percent of those interviewed either “strongly agreed” or “somewhat agreed” that regardless of the time it took to restore power, UI worked very hard to restore power as soon as possible.
• Considering the fact that power outages were the result of a Tropical Storm, nearly 72 percent suggested the restoration period was either “very reasonable” or “somewhat reasonable.”

• 75 percent reported to be either “very satisfied” or “somewhat satisfied” with UI’s handling of customers throughout Irene.
• Among those reporting dissatisfaction with UI’s handling of customers throughout Irene, respondents suggested these top three reasons why:
  •  39 percent would have liked power back quicker/immediately/took too long.
  • 23 percent found difficulty in getting through/poor communication.
  • 11 percent would have liked more specific estimates/more frequent estimates/unable to get an estimate.

On information and communication:

• When asked about their preference for outage restoration times, nearly half of all respondents surveyed preferred “real time” estimates, while another 35 percent reported a preference for UI to provide a larger window of time up-front which incorporates unforeseen delays and issues.                                                   

• When asked to look back at how UI handled the issues caused by Irene, respondents provided the following top suggestions for what UI could have done better to serve its customers:

o   Nothing/no suggestions (42 percent)

o   Communicate better/more often (10 percent)

o   UI performed well considering the storm/did best they could (8 percent)

o   More help/bigger crews/more staff (5 percent)

o   More accurate time estimates/more frequent estimates (5 percent)

o   Cut trees back more year round/prior to storm (5 percent)

UI's Residential Energy Efficiency Financing program: According to a recent UI press release, the company, in partnership with the Connecticut Energy Efficiency Fund, announced that it has closed its first loan given to a UI customer as part of their new on bill repayment program. This customer became eligible for the low interest rate loan after receiving a home energy assessment through the Home Energy Solutions (HES) program.

To successfully execute this Residential Energy Efficiency Financing program, UI and the Energy Efficiency Fund work with the Connecticut Housing Investment Fund, Inc. (CHIF) to create the Residential Energy Efficiency Financing Program. 

“This is the first time UI is offering on bill repayment for residential energy efficiency measures, and with these improvements, we can help customers finance their purchases with low interest rates ranging from 2.99-4.99 percent,” said Anthony Marone, Vice President for Business Services, UI. “With the cooler fall weather fast-approaching, there’s no better time than now to make your home more energy efficient by utilizing our HES program as well as this cost-effective financing option, and I strongly encourage eligible customers to sign up.” 

Hamden resident Allen Townsend was the first UI customer to close the loan through this new program. A utility-authorized contractor visited Townsend’s home, made energy efficient recommendations, and as a result, installed an Energy Star-qualified central air system in addition to two programmable thermostats implemented to keep temperatures comfortable and efficient. 

“This program is a really good option for people on a budget, and for me, the low interest rate stretched over ten years makes large purchases possible,” said Townsend.  “I don’t have an exact percentage, but just judging by the dollar amount, my energy bill is already significantly down, and the central air unit is quieter and much more efficient.” 

The Residential Energy Efficiency Financing program provides Connecticut residents with financial assistance in energy efficiency home improvements that will help decrease utility costs. To become eligible for the Residential Energy Efficiency Financing program, residents must be UI or CL&P customers, own and occupy a single or two-family home and must participate in the HES program. 

For more information, please call 1-877-WISE USE or visit www.CTEnergyInfo.com.

Trumbull Resident meets Jim Himes: Housatonic Community College students Keira Haller (center) of Bridgeport and Kristina Kyoryosh (right) of Trumbull chat with U.S. Rep. Jim Himes (D-4^th Dist.) during Himes’ recent visit to the college.  Himes visited the college to participate in a 9/11 remembrance.