Earn money by saving money on energy

CORNWALL — By the time you read this, the Northwest Corner may have seen its first snow of the season. It will certainly have seen the majority of area residents breaking down and nudging the thermostat up above 60 degrees.

Home heating oil and propane prices are still well above $2 per gallon, on average across the state. How the winter weather and its costs will turn out is anyone’s guess, but a safe guess is it’s not going to be easy on the budget.

Cornwall resident Nora Prentice has an idea for at least one easy and even affordable way to save some money and time and avoid discomfort. She points out that Connecticut Light and Power’s Web site details energy audits available to all residents.

Thanks as well to the Connecticut Energy Efficiency Fund and federal stimulus funding, a $75 fee has been established for everyone to participate. Previously, those who used non-electric heat sources had to pay $300.

Those who have signed on for an audit have found that the benefits — such as compact fluorescents to replace incandescent bulbs — outweighed the cost of signing up. And then there were the doors that were sealed, showerheads that were replaced  and rebates earned toward energy-efficient appliance purchases, all of which offered both immediate and long-term savings.

By going to cl-p.com/Home/SaveEnergy/Rebates/HomeEnergySolutions.aspx, or calling 1-877-WISE-USE (947-3873), home owners can get a list of approved contractors or ask CL&P to assign a contractor. Homeowners are contacted by the contractor to schedule an appointment.

One area resident was told during an audit that the damper on his fireplace was stuck halfway open and needed to be fixed.

“I didn’t even think we had a damper,†he wrote in follow-up praise for the audit. Meanwhile, expensive heating dollars had been disappearing up that chimney.

It takes about half a day for a thorough inspection that includes testing of exterior doors for drafts — and on-the-spot sealing. Air ducts are also checked for leaks, and repaired immediately as needed.

Low-flow shower heads and faucet aerators may be installed.

Light bulbs are replaced with compact fluorescents.

The contractor will look at major appliances to determine eligibility for rebates on more energy-efficient models. Rebates are $50 for refrigerators and washers, $25 for freezers and dehumidifiers and 50 cents per square foot for insulation (gas- and electric-heated homes only).

Rebates are doubled for customers who take advantage of them within 45 days of the audit.

Additional rebates are offered through CL&P for new water heaters, air-conditioning and heat pump installation, of up to $500.

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