Westport Extending Energy Efficiency Campaign

Westport officials announced this week the town will extend the “Stay Cool Westport” campaign on energy efficiency through the end of next month.

“Westport recently signed a pledge to commit to the Clean Energy Communities program, an Energize Connecticut initiative that awards incentives to municipalities to improve energy efficiency and promote the use of clean and renewable energy,” said Westport First Selectman Gordon Joseloff.

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 encouraged to participate in the Home Energy Solutions (HES), program – a home energy improvement service provided by Connecticut Light & Power, United Illuminating, and natural gas companies, designed to help people save money on their monthly energy bills, according to Joseloff.

For residents who sign up, specialists will come to their 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.

These services are valued at an average of $1,000. The cost for the HES service is $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, according to Joseloff.

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 Oct. 31 will have their co-pay donated to the Westport “Warm Up Fund,” which helps Westport residents with fuel costs during the winter months.

An informational meeting on these programs will be held on Thursday, Sept. 19 from 1 – 2:30 p.m. at the Center for Senior Activities, 21 Imperial Ave., Westport.