The Connecticut Energy Efficiency Fund is Proud to Sponsor Shining Solutions

Committed to saving you money, reducing energy use and improving the environment

Created to address Connecticut’s increasing energy needs—and rising costs—the Connecticut Energy Efficiency Fund is an initiative to help homeowners and renters, small and large businesses, and state and local governments get in the habit of using energy more efficiently. Whether you live or do business in Connecticut, the Energy Efficiency Fund has a program or service that can help you save energy and money.

Energy efficiency is widely recognized as a key component of our nation’s efforts to meet current and future energy needs. It is the easiest, most cost-effective way to save consumers money, strengthen New England’s energy supply and reduce pollution. Since the Energy Efficiency Fund was created in 1998, its broad portfolio of programs for residential, business and municipal customers have reduced electricity use in the state by an amount equal to the capacity of a 558-megawatt power plant. That’s enough to power over 500,000 average homes for a full year. The programs are jointly administered by the Connecticut Light and Power Company, the United Illuminating Company, Connecticut Natural Gas Corporation, Southern Connecticut Gas Company and Yankee Gas Services Company. The programs are funded by a small charge on customer utility bills. So, whether you recognized it or not, you’ve been contributing to the Energy Efficiency Fund all along. That means you’re entitled – encouraged, actually – to take advantage of it. Participating is simple and the programs can make a real difference to your home or business’s bottom line.

For homeowners and renters, there are rebates for efficient lighting, HVAC systems, geothermal heating and cooling, ENERGY STAR© appliances and natural gas hot water heaters. There are also in-home service programs. For just $75 (or at no charge for limited-income residents), a specialist will perform an energy assessment of your home, find and seal critical leaks and drafts, provide and install water conservation devices, and check the efficiency of your insulation and appliances. Thinking about building a new home? The Residential New Construction program can help you with incentives for heating and cooling, insulation and more.

For commercial, industrial and municipal customers, the Energy Efficiency Fund offers a variety of energy-saving programs. Many provide free assessments to identify opportunities where new technology or processes could make systems and buildings more energy efficient, and all offer financial incentives to offset the higher costs associated with high efficiency equipment.

In addition to rebates and incentive programs, the Energy Efficiency Fund is making a difference through education and outreach. The Fund partners with museums and educators to bring the message of energy efficiency to the next generation and those that are teaching them and assists community green task forces all across the state. The Fund also provides year-round technical training to builders and trade allies so that they can stay up-to-date on advances in energy efficiency.

Connecticut’s programs are recognized as among the best in the country and have served as models for other states. One reason for the high marks is because these programs are very cost effective. “For every dollar invested in these programs,” explains Fund Chairman Jeff Gaudiosi, “there is a $4 return. During the last decade, the fund has saved Connecticut residents lots of money, and it has contributed to the creation of a whole new sector of jobs.”

In addition to the financial benefits to the state and its residents, the Connecticut Energy Efficiency Fund is aiming to make a big difference in the way people of Connecticut think about energy. Vice Chairman of the Fund’s Board, Rich Steeves, explains:

“Over the last few years, people have changed the way they think about fuel-efficient cars and have really embraced the benefits. In the near future, we hope that residents and businesses in Connecticut will start thinking differently about the energy that powers homes and offices, too. Hopefully water-cooler conversations of tomorrow will be focused on efficiency ratings of refrigerators and washing machines, like they are now about miles per gallon.”

The Connecticut Energy Efficiency Fund plans to make that a reality.

For more information on programs, services, events and rebates, please visit www.CTEnergyInfo.com or call
1-877-WISE-USE.