During the summer of 2015, Bantam resident, Mary Osborne, 92, had an energy-usage assessment conducted on her home. Through a state-wide energy-saving program for residents on fixed incomes, the efficiency of her home was significantly upgraded in 2016 at no cost to herself.
Last year Mrs. Osborne had asked her fuel service provider, Wesson Energy, an authorized contractor for the Energize Connecticut’s HES-IE-Income Eligible Program, to conduct a Home Energy SolutionsSM (HES) energy efficiency assessment because her home had been difficult and costly to keep warm in the winter and cool in the summer.
“Through the assessment of the 1,040 square foot, 3 bedroom single-family house,” explained Jane Bourdeau, Wesson Energy HPC-Home Performance Contracting Division Manager, “we determined insulation was needed to keep the house comfortable year-round. The small Cape Cod-style house was built in 1940, and the assessment revealed that the house needed several energy-efficiency upgrades.”
Working within the guidelines of the HES-IE Program, Wesson Energy’s work included insulating the basement and ‘knee-high’ walls in the second floor bedroom. “Cape-style houses,” explained Bourdeau, “have slanted ceilings because there’s no attic. The roof line slants downward so we insulated the short walls below the ceiling and added roof vents for effective ventilation.”
Bourdeau added that, “In a typical home, we insulate the attic and basement because that is where 90% of a home’s insulation benefit is derived. Because Mrs. Osborne’s house does not have an attic, the short walls were insulated below the ceiling, and we added the roof vents.”
Wesson Energy also installed a Burnham cast iron hot water boiler that provides 85% efficiency. “The existing boiler,” Bourdeau explained, “was only 73% efficient so it needed to be replaced.”
Mary Osborne commented, “This house was built almost 80 years ago and the furnace would often go clunk so I knew it needed to be repaired. After Wesson did all their repairs, my house was much warmer this past winter. And now that fall has arrived, I’m even more appreciative of all the upgrades the company did on my house.”
The cost of the total energy-efficiency upgrade was $9,158.68, however, Mrs. Osborne’s co-pay equaled $0. Her co-pay was $0 because, like many older Connecticut residents, she qualified for 100% of the costs to be paid under the HES-IE income eligible program.
HES-IE PROGRAM
Through the Energize Connecticut’s HES IE-Income Eligible Program, Wesson provides Home Energy Solutions assessments to homeowners to help save money on their utility bills plus provide year-round comfort and safety. Individuals and families who earn an annual income below the state’s 60 percent income medium may qualify for an assessment, repairs and upgrades at no cost to them.
Wesson Energy President Craig Snyder stated, “The HES-IE income eligible program, if an individual or family qualifies, is perfect for anyone on fixed income, or going through a difficult financial time in their lives. Most of our customers who have the energy assessment conducted realize significant savings on their energy bills within a few short months. On average, assessments result in saving a homeowner 20% to 40% on annual energy bills after implementing the suggested changes to a house or apartment.”
For more information on how to apply for the Home Energy Solutions (HES) Income Eligible (IE) Program, or Home Energy Solutions (HES) assessment for a house or apartment, contact Jane Bourdeau at Wesson Energy at 203-419-5052.