Sustainable Energy Commission Urges Home Energy Audits

By Kendra Bobowick

For a $75 fee and a certified home inspection, residents could potentially reduce their heating and energy costs by twice that sum each year.

“Do this and save money; bottom line,” said Newtown’s Sustainable Energy Commission Chairman Kathleen Quinn. The town of Newtown is participating in the Home Energy Solutions (HES) program offered through the utility companies and promoted in town by the Sustainable Energy Commission.

First in line and intending to kick off this program is First Selectman Pat Llodra. Contractors will be at her house for an inspection on Friday morning, October 19.

She said, “We are very good about updating and minding energy efficiency.” But she is also sure that “there are things we will learn.” Energy efficiency? “We believe in that. This is an easy initiative for us, and we feel there is merit to it.” Mrs Llodra hopes to set an example encouraging others to invite testing in their homes.

Coming in the mail this week is an informational flyer on how homeowners and renters can sign up for an inspections and on site repairs such as caulking, weather stripping, replacement lighting with energy-efficient bulbs, and other energy-saving improvements said Ms Quinn.

Describing the HES scenario, Ms Quinn said certified and state-approved contractors will visit the home, “do testing to determine where leaks are” and make small repairs, insulate, replace lighting with fluorescent bulbs, etc. A recent HES flyer estimates the in-home work at approximately $700 in labor and materials and savings of an estimated $200 a year.

According to the flyer, certified and insured contractors will evaluate household energy usage and provide an average of $700 of energy efficiency and weatherization services at no additional cost to you.

Services include: free energy-efficient lighting up to 40 compact fluorescent light bulbs, water-saving measures including low-flow, high-pressure showerheads and faucet aerators, the latest technology to seal up air leaks in your home, additional rebates for home insulation, HVAC systems, and other appliances.

The Home Energy Solutions program is funded by a small charge on electric and natural gas bills. The charge is already in place. Mr Quinn agrees that the money funding the project “is your money,” and she suggests taking advantage of this program. Call 1-800-957-1610 to sign up for the Home Energy Solutions program.

Now through September 15, 2013, for every Newtown resident who receives HES services, donations will be made to the Newtown High School Athletic Department and the Newtown Fuel Bank, managed by the Department of Social Services. These donations will be made by the following Home Energy Solutions partners: Victory Energy Solutions and Energy PRZ. The funds will help the town’s residents receive valuable energy assistance to heat their homes and will also help the athletic department purchase new uniforms, the flyer states. Visit GoGreenNewtown.com for more information.

Participation also makes Newtown eligible for grants through the Clean Energy Communities program, to promote other energy efficiency projects and efforts.

The Newtown Sustainable Energy Commission has partnered with Energize Connecticut to make these programs available.