JRV Home Inspection Services LLC

A Comparison;
The Home Energy Tune-uP and Connecticut Light & Powers (CL&P) Home Energy Solutions
The Connecticut Light & Power Company (CL&P) offers its customers;
“A Comprehensive Service to Help Lower Your Energy Bills”
This service is known as Home Energy Solutions.
This subsidized service is provided through the Connecticut Energy Efficiency Fund (CEEF) and administered by CL&P and provided to their customers.
The Home Energy Tune-uP is an independent comprehensive energy audit performed exclusively by Connecticut licensed, professional home inspectors and available to anyone.
The main difference between these two services would be repair work versus professional consultation through which energy saving solutions are provided.
The Home Energy Tune-uP is a complete analysis of the homes energy deficiencies performed by a licensed and trained professional. No light bulbs are changed or repairs made during the visit by the Home Energy Tune-uP energy expert. Instead the focus is on locating where the home is most energy deficient and then providing a comprehensive report detailing;
  1. What are the most cost effective energy improvements available specifically for the customers home and
  2. What is the expected savings for each improvement and ultimately the return on investment
This information is provided in a two separate cost analysis contained in the Home Energy Tune-uP report. What this provides to the customer is a sensible, easy to understand energy saving plan allowing them to choose wisely where to invest their energy improvement dollars to yield the largest returns on their money. Additionally the report includes detailed information on each deficient component or area allowing the customer further insight into what is specifically lacking in their home.
CL&Ps Home Energy Solutions program is provided by an independent sub-contractor after the customer goes through an application process and waiting period. Applying for the program does not automatically mean the customer will receive service as this disclaimer from the application form clearly states.

Due to potential high customer participation and program oversubscription, we reserve the right to restrict services to homes that could benefit the most. This program is subject to change based on available funding. There is a $75 fee for customers who heat with electricity or natural gas. ALL OTHER CUSTOMERS REQUIRE A $300 CO-PAY. FILLING OUT THIS FORM DOES NOT AUTOMATICALLY QUALIFY YOU FOR THE HES PROGRAM. If your home is selected, you will be notified via letter or telephone.

Also since no in depth analysis is done on the home the major focus of the service becomes repairs regardless if they are necessary or cost effective for that customers home.
Here is a breakdown and analysis of the Home Energy Solutions.
The following is a list of the Home Energy Solutions services directly from CL&Ps web site (emphasis in text by author) with a line by line evaluation of each service provided by the author.
The service may include:
Assessment of Service

A home energy assessment including a blower-door test which pinpoints critical drafts and air leaks. After they are found, the technician will professionally seal them during the visit.

This service is undoubtedly the most beneficial for any home. Provided the sealing is done effectively and completely in concert with the blower door an appreciable savings can usually be realized.
A duct test to assess air leaks within the ductwork system. The technician will seal those significant leaks.
This again is a good service if the home has duct work. If the home is equipped with a water type heating system then no service is provided. Most glaringly absent is no assessment is performed on the heating and if present cooling systems.
Hot water-saving measures including low-flow showerheads and faucet aerators will be installed.
Once more a good energy saving measure which should lower the homes hot water usage. The problem is all faucets sold today and for many, many years have aerators. Low flow shower heads are also quite common. But more importantly again what is specifically lacking is an analysis of the entire hot water producing system, specifically the water heater and distribution piping.
Rebates up to $600 for qualifying central air conditioning systems and up to $400 for replacement of certain inefficient appliances with qualifying energy-efficient models.
Rebates are great, if they qualify, but what if your home does not have a central A/C system or your system is newer? The same can be said for appliances. Appliance rebates are usually available at the point of purchase and are for Energy Star products. Missing is an in depth analysis of these components which will then tell if ;
  1. They are in need of replacement and
  2. There is cost benefit to replacement
Installation of energy-efficient compact fluorescent light bulbs.
Anyone can easily change to CFLs themselves and save energy. But don’t expect significant monthly savings. Consider that according to the DOE residential lighting constitutes approximately 11 % of the average homes electric bill. CFLs are 50 – 75 % more efficient than traditional incandescent bulbs. That’s equates to about $5.50 – $8.25 savings per $100 of electric usage. None the less changing to CFLs can help save energy, money and resources, but do it yourself!  You are in effect paying for light bulbs not information.
Incentives for insulation upgrades (gas and electric heated homes only).
This is vague and exclusionary. What about oil heat customers?
A “kitchen table wrap-up” where the technician will review the work that was done in your home and tell you about additional resources that can help you save energy and money.
Ultimately no report or plan is provided at completion of the service. From this point forward the customer is left with the work that was done and maybe some coupons for additional savings if applicable to their home. Locating and detailing other energy saving opportunities for the home is left in the end to the customer.
 
What’s missing?
During a Home Energy Tune-uP a comprehensive energy saving cost analysis is provided with the following components evaluated;
  1. Heating system
  2. Cooling system including room air conditioners
  3. Distribution systems (duct work and or piping)
  4. Insulation, walls floors and ceilings are all evaluated.
  5. Water heating
  6. Windows
  7. Appliances
  8. Air leakage
Additionally infrared scanning and or blower door testing may also be included.
Summary
It is clear essentially these are two completely different services. One providing a comprehensive evaluation and plan performed by a skilled. licensed professional, (The Home Energy Tune uP) the other some minor repairs, upgrades and new lighting performed by sub-contracted company technicians (Cl&P).

JRV Home Inspection Services LLC
28 Edgewood Drive
Wallingford, CT 06492
(203) 697-1147
Member of The American Society of Home InspectorsHome Inspections USA - Home Inspector Directory Member
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