Wesson Energy Conducted a "Very Comprehensive" Energy Audit of Torringotn Mayor's Home

“I am impressed with Wesson Energy’s very comprehensive approach that included air sealing windows, air conditioners and other areas of my house. The company also checked our furnace and the water flow of faucets and showerheads to see where else we can save both energy and money,” stated Elinor Carbone (r), City of Torrington Mayor, during an energy audit of her home on July 6^th.

As an Eversource-authorized contractor for Energize Connecticut, Wesson Energy, based in Waterbury, provided a Home Energy Solutions^SM (HES) audit because as the Mayor explained, “We wanted to be an example for other people to do the same for their home. It’s a quick, easy and very educational process that saves money, energy and the environment.”

During a HES visit, technicians enter a residence to conduct a detailed evaluation of the home’s overall efficiency performance. The technicians will find and fix efficiency problems, such as air leaks that let heated or cooled air escape, and inefficient lighting, right on the spot. All of the services received during a HES visit are valued, on average, at more than $1,000.

Mayor Carbone requested the audit of her 27 year-old home as an inspiration to others and to, “Help people save energy and money. Everybody wants to save money. The year after year energy and cost savings from HES add up.”

Since 2015, Torrington has been active in Clean Energy Communities, the nationally-recognized Energize Connecticut program to help cities and towns save energy and increase the installation of renewable energy. Eversource is currently working with The City to help it reach program goals and reduce municipal building energy consumption by 20 percent by 2018.

As a Clean Energy Community, all Torrington homeowners and renters that participate in HES can help The City earn a grant, ranging from $5,000 to $15,000. These “Bright Idea Grants” can be used on a community-selected energy saving project, like the installation of an electric car charging station at town hall or new LED lighting for a school. Torrington used its first Bright Idea Grant on a light bulb swap, where nearly 1,000 residents exchanged traditional light bulbs for efficient LED bulbs.

Wesson Energy HPC-Home Performance Contracting Division Manager, Jane Bourdeau, stated, “During that very successful light bulb swap, we signed up many Torrington area residents, including Mayor Carbone, to conduct our HES-Home Energy Solutions audit program, and our income-eligible HES-IE program, at their individual homes.”

The audit of the Mayor’s home revealed significant air leaks from the attic down to the house’s basement. Chris Borucki, Wesson Energy Building Analyst, commented, “The results of this audit are very typical of most houses regarding air and heat leakages. Air coming down from the attic to the basement causes a ‘cross-breeze’ that needs to be eliminated for energy and cost saving efficiencies.”

Borucki continued, “Energize Connecticut programs offer big savings on monthly electricity and energy costs for homeowners. At the end of an audit, we can tell a customer the exact amount they will save on heat and electricity after Wesson makes upgrades to their house. We tell our customers to think of their house as a large balloon with pin-sized leaks where heat is escaping and costing them money. By filling in gaps around door frames, window frames, air conditioner frames, chimneys and fireplaces, we can help ensure that heat remains in a house in the winter and that cold doesn’t leak inside.”

Mayor Carbone added, “A home energy audit is such a minor investment that gives back much bigger dividends.”

Mayor Carbone’s house initially clocked an airflow by Wesson of 3,125 cubic feet per minute. “This allowed for a lot of heat in the winter and cool air in the summer to escape the house,” stated Bourcki. After Wesson’s technicians completed caulking, insulating and fixing air leaks, the airflow was clocked at 2,512 cubic feet per minute, known as cfm.

Bourcki estimated the annual energy savings would be $400. He added that the goal for every house is around the 1,642 cfm mark. “This makes for a tight house but not completely, which any homeowner can achieve by using rebates for insulation installations.”

Wesson’s Bourdeau explained that, “Homeowners are eligible for rebates, or significant cost reductions, on upgrades to their homes that may include replacing their boilers or furnaces, closing air leaks, replacing all their light bulbs, providing insulation wherever needed, and much more.”

Energize Connecticut’s HES IE-Income Eligible Program helps homeowners who earn an annual income below the state’s 60 percent income medium may qualify for an audit at no cost to them. Audits on average save a homeowner 20% to 40% on annual energy bills after implementing the suggested changes to a house or apartment. “The majority of our customers,” stated Wesson Energy President Craig Snyder, “realize significant savings on their energy bills within a few short months after having an audit conducted.”

For more information on how to apply for the Wesson Energy’s Home Energy Solutions (HES) audit or Home Energy Solutions Income Eligible (HES-IE) program for a house or apartment, contact Jane Bourdeau at Wesson Energy at 203-419-5052.