According to a report released from the White House in March 2012, consumption of foreign oil has declined. Current numbers from U.S. Energy Information Administration states 45 percent of oil consumed in the U.S. in 2010 was foreign—down from 49 percent the previous year. This is another reason for Americans to celebrate their independence this Forth of July. To continue the reduction of our nation’s dependence on foreign oil, the Neighbor to Neighbor Energy Challenge is a resource for Connecticut residents to eliminate energy waste.
Residents can get started with a Home Energy Solutions (HES) assessment, which is subsidized by the Connecticut Energy Efficiency Fund. The assessment lasts three to four hours with contractors performing on-the-spot improvements — a $750 value for only $75. A HES contractor can detect problems such as energy leaks or insufficient insulation. Additionally, they will provide a customized plan to residents with additional cost-saving measures that reduce waste to stay cool and comfortable throughout the summer.
A HES assessments includes:
- Up to 25 Compact Fluorescent Lights (CFLs)
- Measured air-sealing and weather-stripping
- Low-flow faucets and showerheads
- A prioritized list of recommendations for upgrade work
- Eligibility and information on available tax incentives and rebates
With HES, residents save an average of $350 a year on energy costs. Those that act upon the additional suggested cost-saving measures will save even more.
Residents interested in learning more can visit Neighbor to Neighbor’s Energy Resource Center (http://ctenergychallenge.com/energy-resource-center).
They can also sign up for the $75 HES assessment on the program’s website at CTEnergyChallege.com.
About the Connecticut Neighbor to Neighbor Energy Challenge: The Neighbor to Neighbor Energy Challenge, a non-profit grass-roots organization, is working in 14 Connecticut towns this summer to help reduce home energy use. By joining the challenge, local residents have the opportunity to improve the energy efficiency of their homes while increasing their comfort and contributing to their community’s energy independence.
The Challenge is a community energy savings program made possible by a grant from the U.S. Department of Energy, funded as part of the Better Buildings Neighborhood Program, whose mission is to create a self-sustaining building energy upgrade market. The Neighbor to Neighbor Energy Challenge is one of 41 state and local government programs providing high quality energy improvements to homes and businesses across the nation.
Over three years, Neighbor to Neighbor will engage residents in 14 towns, helping them reduce their energy use by 20 percent.
The program is administered by the Connecticut Clean Energy Fund and draws resources and experience from several partner organizations, including Earth Markets, Clean Water Fund, the Connecticut Energy Efficiency Fund, EMpower Devices, MIT, SmartPower, Snugg Home, Mobile Genius and the Student Conservation Association. For more information, visit www.CTEnergyChallenge.com.
