John Fonfara

Fonfara Joins Hartford Homeowner to Tout Benefits of Home Energy Audit

State Senator John Fonfara (D-Hartford) joined a Hartford homeowner today as she took part in a $75 “Home Energy Solutions” energy audit that could save her several hundred dollars a year in heating, cooling and electricity costs.

Sen. Fonfara, who is Senate Chairman of the Energy and Technology Committee, joined Delmarys Quintana of Hartford as a crew from Victory Energy Solutions of New Britain toured her home, conducted air leak, weatherization, energy-efficiency and other tests, and then made necessary improvements.

The cost for the four-hour visit was $75; the work and the materials installed at the home are valued at several hundred dollars. The Home Energy Solutions program is part of the Connecticut Energy Efficiency Fund, which was created by the state legislature in 1998, funded by a surcharge on utility bills and managed by utility companies.

“Delmarys is a perfect example of the kind of Hartford homeowner who can take part in this program,” Sen. Fonfara said. “This is more than just plugging up a few holes where cold air can get into a home. For $75 a homeowner can receive up to $1,000 in benefits. You can save significant amounts of money on your monthly bills. I would encourage every homeowner in Connecticut to take advantage of this program.”

Victory Energy Solutions conducted a “blower door test” of Quintana’s home to find air leaks, then sealed them with caulk and insulation. The company also installed two dozen compact fluorescent light bulbs, a low-flow shower head and detected a non-functioning part in her central air system.

“I got so much out of this today, and I know I could do a lot more,” Quintana said. “It is definitely a worthwhile investment, and hopefully this will save me quite a bit of money over the life of this house.”

“I think the Connecticut Energy Efficiency Fund is the best-kept secrets in Connecticut,” said Joseph R. Swift, supervisor of conservation and load management at Northeast Utilities. “We’ve got 30,000 customers who are already saving money, and there’s a lot more to go. And we’re going to be here for a while.” Sen. Fonfara said not only does the program save homeowners money, it also creates a demand for “green jobs” and business opportunities for minority-owned companies.

Sen. Fonfara said he also supports making permanent the CCEF’s PILOT program which now offers zero-percent financing over 10 years for large energy-efficiency projects, such as central heating systems, new windows and other improvements.

For more information, visit: www.ctenergyinfo.com.