Better Buildings Partners: Connecticut

Photo of a variety of buildings in an urban area, with a river flowing in the foreground.

An image of a map of the United States with the state for this page highlighted.

Progress Within 25 Months of Program Launch*

2,684

residential evaluations completed

292

residential energy upgrades completed

*Progress is reported through December 2012.

Learn more about earlier program milestones

Connecticut Neighbor to Neighbor Energy Challenge

Location:

14 Connecticut towns (Bethany, Cheshire, East Haddam, East Hampton, Glastonbury, Lebanon, Mansfield, Portland, Ridgefield, Weston, Westport, Wethersfield, Wilton, and Windham)

Seed Funding:

$4.2 million

Target Building Type:

Residential

Website:

http://ctenergychallenge.com

Learn More:

View Presentations:

Small Changes, Big Results with the Connecticut Neighbor to Neighbor Energy Challenge
April 19, 2011

Electricity use in Connecticut households has increased 10-15% in the last decade—topping its New England neighbors by 25%. What's more, the cost of electricity has gone up 90%, making Connecticut the state with the second highest electricity rates in the nation.

The Connecticut Neighbor to Neighbor Energy Challenge program is using innovative community organizing techniques, performance-based rewards for municipalities and community organizations, and a range of other program offerings to help households in 14 target communities across Connecticut achieve 20% energy reduction.

"Neighbor to Neighbor lets our town be part of an effort that could affect energy usage of the entire nation."

Alan Abramson
Volunteer Community Leader, Westport, CT

Clean Energy Corps Leads the Charge

Drawing from a group of environmentally minded young professionals, Neighbor to Neighbor Energy Challenge has created an on-the-ground team—the "Clean Energy Corps"—to educate homeowners on energy efficiency measures, promote online tools available for their use, and provide instant energy efficiency improvements. This Corps works with community groups and civic leaders to help homeowners as they move through a range of energy efficiency improvements, from installing compact fluorescent lights, all the way to more complex upgrades (including installing solar power). Along the way, residents earn points for their towns and community organizations that can be redeemed for energy-related technology such as LED lighting or electric charging stations.

Team partners include nine public, private, academic, and nonprofit organizations who together are encouraging residents in 14 towns to participate in home energy assessments and upgrades by working through certified professionals under contract with the program in order to enroll homeowners in state ratepayer funded programs to promote their subsidized assessment, rebates, and financing offerings.

The Neighbor to Neighbor Energy Challenge provides energy workshops, an on-line DIY energy assessment tool and energy tracker, and a resource of information to help guide homeowners. A free CFL install program provides lead-generation as well.

U.S. Department of Energy - Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy

Building Technologies Office – Better Buildings Partners

Connecticut