HARTFORD’S OFFICE OF SUSTAINABILITY LAUNCHES ENERGY COACHING SERVICE

Published on January 10, 2022

HARTFORD, CONN. (January 10, 2022) – Today, Mayor Luke Bronin and the City of Hartford’s Office of Sustainability announced the I Heart My Home Program to help residents save energy, lower utility bills, and make homes more comfortable. I Heart My Home is a customized, no-cost energy coaching service that helps residents navigate a variety of resources related to home improvements for health, comfort, and energy savings. 

Residents can fill out an online enrollment survey or call 311, where they will be connected to experts who walk them through the process of accessing low- to no-cost home weatherization services, utility bill support, fuel assistance, health and safety remediation and other city and state programs. An I Heart My Home energy coach will begin by helping residents get scheduled for an Energize Connecticut℠ Home Energy Solutions℠ energy assessment and service.

During the visit, utility-authorized contractors come to a home or apartment and perform a thorough assessment to locate inefficiencies and pinpoint critical drafts and air leaks. Once identified, the specialists make on-the-spot energy improvements. At the end of the visit, the contractor reviews the tests performed and additional energy-saving opportunities with the homeowner or renter. The average home in Connecticut will save approximately $180 annually after completing the initial Home Energy Solutions visit.

“We're facing more unpredictable and severe weather in every season, and that means high energy costs and an increased risk of power outages, which can be especially bad in winter,” said Mayor Luke Bronin. “Hartford's ‘I Heart My Home’ program can make a big difference for families looking to control electric and gas bills and keep their homes warm when the temperatures drop. Our energy coaches will identify improvements that can be made, and wherever possible, they'll make improvements on the spot. I want to thank our many community partners, as well as our Office of Sustainability and the Department of Development Services for making this service available and accessible.”

An I Heart My Home energy coach will be readily available along the way to provide support, helping residents understand the results of their energy assessment, the costs and benefits of deeper energy-saving measures, and how they can access the variety of additional programs and services available to them.  

This program is made possible through a partnership with Energize CT, CT Green Bank, Operation Fuel, Community Renewal Team, Energize Connecticut verified contractors, the City of Hartford’s Department of Development Services, Earth Forward Group, Neighborhood Housing Services of New Haven, Green Eco Warriors, First Night Hartford, and Our Piece of the Pie. The I Heart My Home Program is funded by the federal Community Development Block Grant Program and led by the Office of Sustainability. 

To sign up for I Heart My Home, Hartford residents should visit tinyurl.com/iheartmyhome or call 311 for more information. 

Tagged as: