House Republican Press Release

August 12, 2007

Press Office: 860-240-8700

Energy-saving tips, assessments, available to consumers

by Deputy Republican Leader Themis Klarides

For anyone looking for ways to reduce energy costs (and who isn’t these days), United Illuminating offers assessments to customers which can identify energy efficient and not-so energy efficient appliances in your home.

Customers of UI can contact Competitive Resources, a sub-contractor of UI, and arrange for someone to come out to assess your home. Competitive Resources will check light bulbs, air conditioning ducts, water heaters, etc., and in some cases may change bulbs or insulate water heaters were applicable. There is no charge to UI customers for the assessment, but some conditions or restrictions may apply. Competitive Resources will also check windows and the home’s foundation for air leaks. 

The assessments can also cover a myriad of appliances, including: clothes washers/dryers, dishwashers, refrigerators/freezers, dehumidifiers, ceiling fans, water heaters, lighting, lighting controls/sensors, chillers, heat pumps, air conditioners, and other comprehensive measures to measure a home’s overall energy efficiency rating.

Give Competitive Resources a call at (203) 294-9677 for more information or to make an appointment.       

Another excellent source for information on how to conserve on energy usage and cost is www.connecticutsavesenergy.org. The Web site includes tips and information to both residential and business consumers of energy.

According to the site, energy efficient compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs) offer great opportunities for savings. For instance, if every household in the United States replaced its next light bulb or fixture with an Energy Star labeled model the country would save more than 8 billion kilowatt hours of energy.

Energy Star products use less electricity and can lower your utility bill — all while being good to the environment. From central air conditioning to clothes washers to energy–efficient light bulbs, there several ways to help lower your energy consumption.

The Web site also includes the following energy-saving tips:

· Close your shades or draperies on summer days. Sunlight heats up your home.

· Close your windows and doors if you have the air conditioner on. Approximately one third of the home's total air conditioning loss can be attributed to open windows or doors.

· Raise the room temperature just a few degrees during the cooling season, and lower the temperature during the heating season. Consider ENERGY STAR® programmable thermostats for this purpose.

· Have your air conditioner serviced once a year. Check freon levels and clean the coils. Once a month, replace the filters inside and out.

· Unplug or recycle that spare refrigerator in the garage if you don't really need it.

· Run your dishwasher during off-peak times (after 8 p.m.).

· Use smaller pans when you're cooking. Smaller pans use less energy to heat up.

· When purchasing new kitchen appliances check the energy rating sticker for the annual consumption.

· Air dry clothes instead of using the dryer, whenever possible.

· Clean the dryer filter before each use.

· Use your washer and dryer during off-peak times (after 8 p.m.) or on weekends when energy use is lower.

· Wash clothes in cold or warm water rather than hot, and rinse in cold. The rinse temperature has no effect on cleaning.

 If you do not have access to the Internet, or would like more information regarding the CEEF, please contact my office at (860) 240-8700.

State Rep. Themis Klarides (R-Derby) represents the 114th District in the General Assembly, and is Deputy Republican Leader of the House Republican Caucus.