How To Make Your Home More Energy Efficient

The Jonah Center for Earth and Art and the city of Middletown’s Clean Energy Task Force join in presenting home energy specialist John Greeno, President of New England Conservation Services, on “How To Make Your Home More Energy Efficient” on Tuesday, January 18 at 7 p.m. at First Church of Christ, Congregational, 190 Court Street, in Middletown.

Residents (homeowners and renters) will learn about the most common ways their homes lose heat and waste electricity, and how these problems can be addressed at little or no expense. Topics to be covered include air leaks around chimneys and pipes, insulation in attics and above basement walls, door sweeps, water heaters, hidden energy wasters, and more. There will be a slideshow instructive for do-it-yourself homeowners, and time for questions and answers.

The goal of the presentation is to encourage Connecticut residents to take advantage of a program, “Home Energy Solutions” (HES) for which they have already paid. Millions of dollars are collected in monthly bills from electric and natural gas customers for energy conservation programs directed by the Connecticut Energy Efficiency Fund and administered by Connecticut Light & Power.

Trained technicians go to a home and set up a door-fan to slowly pull air from within the house. This lower pressure inside exaggerates all the drafts, so the leaks can be sealed up right on the spot, using insulating foam, caulk, and weather stripping. HES services may also seal leaky ducts, install energy efficient lighting, provide incentives and rebates for insulation, heating and cooling systems, appliances and more for eligible customers.

For a payment of $75 (subject to change, based on funding) customers receive an average of $750 worth of energy-efficiency upgrades. There are no extra charges or obligations. For every residence that the Jonah Center recruits for these services, New England Conservation Services makes a donation to support the Jonah Center’s work in environmental sustainability. The City of Middletown is recognized by the Connecticut Clean Energy Fund as a Clean Energy Community and this presentation fits into the city's efforts to save residents money by becoming more energy aware and efficient.

For more information, contact John Hall (Jonah Center) at 860-346-6657 ext. 13 or Jennifer Weymouth (City of Middletown) at 860- 912 6690.