Free-of-Charge Energy Audit

Home Energy Solutions Income Eligible (H.E.S.-IE)

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We believe in making energy savings and home comfort accessible to all. That's why we're thrilled to offer the Home Energy Solutions-Income Eligible (HES-IE) program free-of-charge to eligible households. With HES-IE, you can improve your home's energy efficiency, reduce your energy bills, and enjoy a more comfortable living space without any upfront costs. Contact us today to check your eligibility and start your journey towards a more energy-efficient home.

What is Home Energy Solutions-Income Eligible (HES-IE)?

Home Energy Solutions Income Eligible (HES-IE) is an excellent program for families with a combined gross annual income that falls below the state's 60 percent median income. One of the significant differences between the two programs is that HES-IE is free-of-charge, while the standard HES program requires a $50 co-pay. Moveover, income-eligible households also benefit from the most advantageous incentives available, with approved insulation projects qualifying for up to 100% off the total cost!

Just like with the standard HES program, HES-IE provides homeowners with a comprehensive energy audit that identifies areas where energy is wasted and recommends upgrades to improve the home's energy efficiency. Our experts will perform immediate weatherization improvements, allowing you to start saving energy and enjoying a more comfortable home.

Once the energy-saving improvements are complete, our technicians will provide you with a comprehensive report, including your home's Department of Energy HES Score, which is like a "miles per gallon" rating for your home. The report also includes an upgrade plan alongside the corresponding incentives and rebates, which may include additional insulation, air sealing, or upgrading your heating and cooling systems, among other possibilities.

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Weatherization Service Value

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Learn How HES-IE Can DeliverFor Your Family

This touching story shows you the real benefits weatherization programs such as HES-IE can have on a household in need.

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HES-IE Eligibility Criteria

Households living on a low or fixed income that is at or below 60 percent of the state median income are eligible for "Home Energy Solutions - Income-Eligible" (HES-IE) program. You may also qualify if you meet your utility’s hardship criteria. View the income table on this page to see if you might qualify or check your eligibility answering a few questions here.

Family Size Annual Income 
1 Under $39,027.14
2 Under $51,035.50
3 Under $63,043.85
4 Under $75,052.20
5 Under $87,060.55
6 Under $99,068.90
7 Under $101,320.47
8 Under $103,572.04

Take A Look At A Home Energy Audit Step By Step

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Each home is unique and different households have varied energy usage patterns. This is why our Building Performance Institute certified technicians come to your home with an array of advanced tools to assess your needs and ensure your family's well-being with important health and safety tests.

During the energy assessment, our technicians will perform a blower-door test to pinpoint drafts and air leaks in your home. They will then seal these leaks with caulk and weatherstripping on drafty windows and doors or with spray foam insulation for larger holes and leaks. Our technicians will also install sealing gaskets on door bottoms and assess your needs for attic, garage door, and basement insulation, as well as other air sealing interventions.

In addition to sealing leaks, our technicians will provide and install water conservation equipment such as faucet aerators and low-flow showerheads if needed. We will also determine all the rebates you qualify for, including energy-efficient appliance rebates, rebates for blown-in cellulose insulation in walls, window rebates, and more.

Our energy assessment visit concludes with a kitchen table wrap-up, where our technician reviews the work done around your home and discusses any deeper energy-saving measures they plan to install. These measures may include additional insulation, air sealing, or upgrading your heating and cooling systems, among other possibilities.

 

HES-IE Is Free? What's the Catch?

There's no catch! The program is funded through public-private collaboration spearheaded by the Connecticut Energy Efficiency Fund initiative known as "Energize CT". Every month, all Connecticans pay a small charge on their utility bill for the purpose of helping Connecticut residents make their homes more energy efficient. These funds are combined with other state allocations and are provided on the basis of need. Access the benefits that you are contributing to funding. Schedule a home energy audit now!

The HES program derives its funding from the collaboration of all the following partners

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energy efficieny fund

You've Already Paid

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Check your own electric or gas bill (*Combined Public Benefits Charge).

Common Questions

During your energy audit, HCP's energy efficiency technicians will identify and recommend further energy-saving projects for your home. You’ll get an estimate of the energy you’ll save making each improvement. The more energy an improvement will save, the greater incentive you’ll receive. Most customers receive these added energy efficiency upgrades and improvements at little to no additional cost.

The energy efficiency rebates and incentives may include:
- Insulation rebates for attic insulation wall insulation
- Home improvement rebates such as ENERGY-STAR® certified window replacement rebates for eligible double-pane and triple-pane windows.
- Appliance rebates such as: vouchers to replace inefficient refrigerators to ENERGY-STAR® refrigerators, energy-saving water heater rebates, high-efficiency heat pump rebates, air conditioning installation or replacement rebates.
- UI rebates and Eversource rebates depending on your Connecticut utility provider and energy rates.

We’ll qualify you for all applicable CT energy rebates, submit all the rebate application forms and provide professional installation of your energy efficiency improvements.

Absolutely! The HES-IE program waives the co-pay for the audit. However, many of most generous Energize CT rebates apply to most Connecticut households. To get qualified for energy efficiency rebates, a household that is not eligible on the basis of income can still participate in the standard Home Energy Solutions (H.E.S.) program. Through this, your home energy audit will only cost you a $50 copay. Participants receive an average of $1,800 of value and savings from the energy efficiency work performed in addition to getting qualified for thousands of dollars of energy efficiency rebates and incentives.  Let us help guide you through the entire process. Inquire here

(Average of $1,350 labor & service value + $450 annual energy savings!)

Yes! The program is open to owners and renters alike. However, as a renter you will need to obtain your landlord’s approval for any modifications. For example, when drilling holes for blown-in cellulose insulation in walls or when replacing old drafty windows with energy efficient triple pane windows.

  1. What is the Home Energy Solutions-Income Eligible (HES-IE) program?

    HES-IE is program for families with a combined gross annual income below the state's 60 percent median income. The program provides comprehensive energy audits, immediate weatherization improvements, and qualifies approved insulation projects for up to 100% off the total cost. There is no upfront co-pay for the audit, the standard $50 charge is waived.

  2. How can HES-IE improve home energy efficiency?

    HES-IE provides homeowners with a comprehensive energy audit that identifies areas of energy waste and recommends upgrades to improve the home's energy efficiency.

  3. What is the cost of the HES-IE program?

    HES-IE is free-of-charge to eligible households, while the standard HES program requires a $50 co-pay.

  4. What are the income requirements for the HES-IE program?

    The income requirements depend on household size and must be at or below 60 percent of the state median income. For example, a family of 1 must have an annual income under $39,027.14, and a family of 8 must have an income under $103,572.04.

  5. What happens during a HES-IE visit?

    Certified technicians perform an energy assessment including a blower-door test to identify drafts and air leaks. Immediate weatherization improvements such as sealing leaks and installing water conservation equipment are made, and an upgrade plan is provided.

  6. Why is HES-IE free-of-charge?

    HES-IE is funded by public-private collaboration, mainly through the Connecticut Energy Efficiency Fund initiative known as "Energize CT." A small charge is added to all Connecticans' utility bills to fund these energy efficiency programs.

  7. What rebates and incentives might I qualify for with a HES-IE energy audit?

    Potential rebates and incentives include insulation rebates for attic and wall insulation, ENERGY-STAR® certified window replacement rebates, appliance rebates such as for inefficient refrigerators, and rebates for energy-saving water heaters, high-efficiency heat pumps, and air conditioning installations or replacements.

  8. If I don't meet the income requirements for HES-IE, can I still qualify for any Energize CT Rebates?

    Yes! The standard Home Energy Solutions (H.E.S.) program is available for households not eligible for HES-IE based on income, which can qualify you for energy efficiency rebates at a $50 copay for the energy audit.

  9. Can renters benefit from the HES-IE program?

    Yes! Renters can participate in HES-IE, but will need their landlord's approval for any modifications.

  10. What is the average annual energy savings with HES-IE?

    The average annual energy savings is around $350.

  11. What is the weatherization service value provided by HES-IE?

    The weatherization service value is approximately $1,350.

  12. What is the average 1st-year savings with HES-IE?

    The average 1st-year savings is about $1,800.

  13. How does HES-IE support energy security?

    By improving home energy efficiency, HES-IE helps to reduce the demand for energy, leading to greater energy security.

  14. How does HES-IE enhance home comfort?

    By identifying and rectifying areas of energy waste, HES-IE can improve temperature regulation in the home, resulting in a more comfortable living environment.

  15. What is the Department of Energy HES Score?

    The Department of Energy HES Score is a "miles per gallon" rating for your home, showing its energy efficiency.

  16. What is included in the comprehensive report provided after the energy-saving improvements?

    The comprehensive report includes the home's Department of Energy HES Score, an upgrade plan, and the corresponding incentives and rebates.

  17. How can HES-IE help during warmer and cooler seasons?

    By improving home energy efficiency, HES-IE can help to keep homes cooler in the summer and warmer in the winter.

  18. What happens after the energy-saving improvements are completed?

    Once the energy-saving improvements are complete, technicians will provide a comprehensive report, including the home's Department of Energy HES Score and an upgrade plan alongside the corresponding incentives and rebates.

  19. What is the purpose of the blower-door test performed during the HES-IE visit?

    The blower-door test helps to pinpoint drafts and air leaks in your home.

  20. What kind of weatherization improvements do the technicians perform during the HES-IE visit?

    Technicians seal drafts and air leaks with caulk and weatherstripping, install sealing gaskets on door bottoms, assess needs for insulation, and install water conservation equipment if needed.

  21. What are UI and Eversource rebates?

    UI and Eversource are Connecticut utility providers, and they may offer rebates depending on energy rates.

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