Neighbor to Neighbor Energy Challenge Launches

Leaders from across the state of Connecticut gathered in Hartford this week to celebrate the official launch of The Connecticut Neighbor to Neighbor Energy Challenge, a community energy savings campaign that is helping Connecticut residents save money, reduce energy use and create vital green jobs in their communities.

“The Neighbor to Neighbor Energy challenge demonstrates Connecticut’s leadership in finding innovative solutions to lowering energy bills and making homes more energy efficient,” Governor Dannel Malloy said. “The staff and volunteers who brought this program to our communities are to be commended for making energy efficiency easy for residents to bring into their own homes. The high cost of energy is a major drain on household budgets and hits commerce hard. Like Neighbor to Neighbor, the programs run by the Connecticut Clean Energy Fund and the Connecticut Energy Efficiency Fund help alleviate the economic strain and reduce pollution and greenhouse gas emissions, all good things for Connecticut and our citizens.”

The Connecticut Neighbor to Neighbor Energy Challenge is made possible by a $4.17 million grant from the U.S. Department of Energy as part of the BetterBuildings initiative, whose mission is to create a self-sustaining building energy upgrade market.

Over three years, Neighbor to Neighbor will engage residents in 14 towns, helping them reduce their energy use by 20 percent. Participating towns include: Bethany, Cheshire, East Haddam, East Hampton, Glastonbury, Lebanon, Mansfield, Portland, Ridgefield, Weston, Westport, Wethersfield, Wilton and Windham.

"It's a great program," East Hampton town council vice chairman John Tuttle said Tuesday. "You can save money in your homes. We can earn points for our community. Your organizations can earn points and reap the benefits. It's a great, great thing and as our utility costs go up, there is no better time than now to try and save money."

Residents will have many ways to reach their 20 percent energy waste reduction goal, with support from the program at every step on the journey – whether it’s using the program web site to understand the cost of their home energy use, taking advantage of the free Neighbor to Neighbor Lighting Program or signing up for Home Energy Solutions (HES). HES is an easy and affordable Connecticut Energy Efficiency Fund program that provides a variety of home energy saving measures and pinpoints other actions that will cut the energy wasted by a home.

“Many homes in Connecticut are simply leaking money through the cracks. Neighbor to Neighbor is here to help make those homes more comfortable and affordable,” said Kerry O’Neill, Program Manager of the Neighbor to Neighbor Energy Challenge. “We commend our dedicated town leaders and volunteers, who are the real life-blood of this program. Together we’re creating cleaner, more livable communities across the state!”

Participants will also be urged to purchase and otherwise use clean energy, whether they choose to signup for the CTCleanEnergyOptions program or install solar thermal or PV on their homes with support from the Connecticut Clean Energy Fund. A robust incentive program provides rewards for community participation.

Taking actions in the program earns points that can be redeemed for LED light bulbs, smart thermostats, solar-powered LED street lights, electric vehicle recharging stations and more.

“Building on the leadership of Connecticut’s Clean Energy Communities to include energy efficiency is a natural next step for our statewide efforts in building a clean energy economy,” said Bob Wall, Director of Energy Market Initiatives of the Connecticut Clean Energy Fund, and administrator of this grant. “Helping reduce the energy waste in our homes will provide a pathway to a better environment, a more secure energy future, and a clean energy economy.”

With the state of the economy and concern over volatile energy prices, communities are looking for energy solutions – and with predicted lifetime energy savings of nearly $150 million, the Neighbor to Neighbor Energy Challenge will deliver those solutions.

"We'll put some communications out there shortly," Tuttle said. "I encourage [residents] to come and listen and participate when the time comes."