Residents Get Chance For Free Energy Audit

April 23, 2010 by Josh Morgan

In the coming weeks, residents should be receiving a letter from the Town of Cheshire informing them about future energy savings opportunities.
According to officials, every homeowner in Cheshire will receive, if they haven't already, a full page letter from Town Manager Michael Milone and Energy Commission Chairman Rich Ogurick announcing their chance to receive a free home energy audit. The letter explains how residents can take advantage of the opportunity, including calling a toll free number and referencing a certain code to schedule an appointment. However, not everyone will receive the service, as it is first come, first serve to the first 200 homeowners who call and schedule appointments. Usually, the home energy audit costs $75, but for the first 200 homeowners who turn in their letter, they will receive the service for free.
"This is a program that is being handled through Connecticut Light & Power and the Connecticut Energy Efficiency Fund," Milone said. "I think, for $75 it's well worth it and, obviously, for free it's even better."
The Town saved approximately $3,500 in mailing fees since CL&P and the Connecticut Energy Efficiency Fund paid for the letters.
Milone explained that the Town had to agree to the content of the letter and supply a mailing list, and it was then taken out of their hands.
The program has been around for a number of years, but the free offer is possible because of a grant received from the state.
"With this grant, people can take advantage of the program and get the (audit) done for free," Milone remarked. "Two hundred people are getting this done for free, but it might be worthwhile to make the $75 investment."
As part of the energy audit, professionals will give the home a review, looking for drafts, leaks, and other things that could lead to increased energy usage. Also, they will install energy efficient light bulbs and look at low-flow restrictors for sinks and faucets in the home.
All told, the program offers more than $700 in energy efficiency and weatherization services.
To look for leaks, the company will hook up a large fan and seal the house, giving them an opportunity to determine where any cracks might exist.
Then, they will be caulked and sealed, or if it is a major job, offer advice on how to best proceed.
"If you are one of the 200, it's obviously a no-brainer," Ogurick stated. "In the absence of that discount, with the value of over $700 for a $75 cost, you can't really beat that."
According to Ogurick, the average participant can see savings of roughly $200 a year after completing the home energy audit. Since 2007, approximately 325 energy audits have been conducted in Cheshire, according to CL&P. Ogurick stated that number is "pretty typical" for the state.
With a shade under 10,000 households in Cheshire, only three percent of homeowners have taken advantage of the audit, which Ogurick said was "too bad."
"People either don't know about it or don't understand it," he said. "The only way to do it is to get it out there. That's part of our role as the Energy Commission. Hopefully, everyone will know more just by opening their mail."
Ogurick also explained that residents could receive coupons for new Energy Star appliances, so there could be additional savings, if someone was looking into new appliances for their home.
Both Ogurick and Milone agree that, while not everyone will get a free audit, the word of mouth aspect to the program will be beneficial. When neighbors are talking about how the energy audit worked for them, other residents might take the opportunity to have one done.
"If it wasn't a worthwhile endeavor, we wouldn't have included it," Ogurick said. "It's like a 10-to-1 value over cost. You can't beat that."
For more information, visit the Web at www.ctenergyinfo.com.