Connecticut residents, who are customers of Connecticut Light and Power Company (CL&P) or The United Illuminating Company (UI), can make their homes more energy efficient this winter while helping Operation Fuel assist families and individuals who are struggling to pay their energy bills.
    In support of Operation Fuel’s annual winter fundraising campaign, Competitive Resources Inc. (CRI) of Wallingford will continue to donate $35 to the non-profit energy assistance program for every CL&P and UI customer who mentions Operation Fuel when they schedule a home energy assessment with CRI this winter. During 2012, CRI donated $2,345 to Operation Fuel when 67 homeowners had assessments done on behalf of the energy assistance program.
    Operation Fuel is a private, nonprofit program that provides emergency energy assistance through its statewide network of over 100 fuel banks to lower-income working families, the elderly and disabled individuals who are in financial crisis and not eligible for energy assistance from government-funded programs.
    “One in five Connecticut households can’t afford their energy bill. Many of the families and individuals that Operation Fuel helps are going through an economic hardship, such as a serious illness or recent unemployment,” explained Operation Fuel’s Executive Director Patricia Wrice.
    For a co-pay of $75, or $50 if you heat with electricity or natural gas, CL&P and UI customers who have CRI perform a home energy assessment will receive an average of $700 in services and installed products that will help make their homes more energy efficient and lower their energy bills by an average of $200 annually.
    This energy efficiency service is provided as part of the Energize Connecticut initiative and the Connecticut Energy Efficiency Fund’s Home Energy Solutions (HES) program, which is administered by CL&P and UI. Competitive Resources of Wallingford, Conn., is an authorized Home Energy Solutions provider for all participating electric, gas, and municipal utilities in Connecticut.
    During the home energy assessment, CRI’s certified technicians will make energy saving improvements that include identifying and sealing air leaks and drafts, installing improved lighting and water-saving devices, and analyzing appliances and insulation.
    CL&P and UI customers can schedule an appointment by calling 888-403-3500 or by going to www.criprograms.com. CL&P and UI must approve all applications and the offer is subject to the availability of funding from the Energy Efficiency Fund. Utility customers should have their account number available and mention Operation Fuel when calling to schedule an energy assessment.
    About Energize Connecticut: Energize Connecticut programs help you save money and use clean, affordable energy. The programs are a partnership of the Energy Efficiency Fund, the Clean Energy Finance and Investment Authority, and your local electric and gas utilities and are funded by a charge on customer energy bills. Information on energy efficiency programs can be found at EnergizeCT.com or by calling 1.877.WISE.USE.