"Stay Cool Westport" Energy Campaign Extended Through October

The Westport Green Task Force has announced it will be extending the “Stay Cool Westport” campaign on energy efficiency through the end of October.

The Town of Westport recently signed a pledge to commit to the Clean Energy Communities program, an Energize Connecticut initiative that incentivizes Connecticut cities and towns to improve energy efficiency and promote the use of clean and renewable energy.

Under the expanded Clean Energy Communities program, Westport has pledged to reduce municipal building energy consumption by 20 percent by 2018, and to voluntarily purchase 20 percent of its municipal electrical needs from renewable sources by 2018.

As part of the campaign, residents are encourage to participate in the Home Energy Solutions℠ (HES) program – a convenient home energy improvement service provided by Connecticut Light & Power, United Illuminating, and the natural gas companies, designed to help people save money on their monthly energy bills. For those who sign up, specialists will come to your home or apartment and install energy-efficient products and perform weatherization services. Services include locating and professionally sealing critical air leaks, replacing incandescent lights with energy-saving bulbs and insulating hot water pipes.

While these services are valued at an average of $1,000, the cost for the HES service is only $75 for homes heating with electricity or natural gas, $99 for homes heated with fuel oil or propane, and is free for those who meet income eligibility guidelines.

Westport has partnered with two HES contractors for this campaign, New England Smart Energy Group and New England Conservation Services. As part of “Stay Cool Westport” anyone who completes a HES assessment before October 31 will have their co-pay donated to the Westport “Warm Up Fund,” which helps Westport residents with fuel costs during the winter months.

For those residents who have already participated in HES, incentives are now being offered through Energize Connecticut that can help reduce the cost of insulation. For a limited time, rebates for up to 50 percent of the cost will be available. Additionally, specialized energy financing will be available, in addition to programs and financing for income eligible residents.

An informational meeting on these programs will be held on Thursday, September 19 from 1:00 – 2:30 p.m. at the Center for Senior Activities, located at 21 Imperial Drive in Westport. Pre-registration for this meeting is requested. To RSVP, please call (203) 293-6320 or email GTF@westportct.gov.

For more information on HES, or to sign up for a HES assessment, please call (877) WISE-USE or (877) 947-3873.