Emergency Burn Ban In Effect 10/26/24 - An emergency burn ban is now in effect for all Connecticut State Parks, Forests, and Wildlife Management areas, prohibiting the use of all outdoor grills, firepits, and campfires, and the kindling and use of flame outdoors. DEEP and local agencies are working to contain several active fires across the state. Please avoid all affected State Parks and Forests, as well as the blue-blazed Mattabesett Trail. The Enduro Trail in Voluntown and portions of North Stonington within the Pachaug State Forest are closed at this time. Please note that today's forest fire danger report remains at an 'extreme' level. More information about the current fire danger, burn ban and recommended safety measures can be found here

BETP Programs

Choose Your Area of Interest:

Home Weatherization and Energy Efficiency (Income Eligible) | Energy Assistance | Loans and Financing | Rebates | Solar/Renewables | Lead Remediation | Broadband Programs | Workforce Programs

Home Weatherization and Energy Efficiency (Income Eligible)

Program Name

Description Eligibility How to Apply
Home Energy Solutions –Income Eligible (HES-IE) No-cost energy assessment andenergy-saving improvements,additional services such as insulation,windows, or heating and coolingsystems Less than 60% SMI Apply to your local utility by mail (English or Spanish forms)
Residential Energy Preparation Services (REPS)  Removes health and safety barriers to enable weatherization work through WAP or HES-IE   Have been deferred from WAP or HES-IE due to barrier  Requires referrals from EnergizeCT Home Energy Solutions- Income Eligible (HES-IE) or WAP 
Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP) Minimize energy-related home fuel costs and fuel usage through no-cost retrofits and home improvement measures  Less than 60% SMI  Call 2-1-1 for the energy assistance intake site nearby and other general energy questions  

Energy Assistance

Program Name

Description Eligibility How to Apply
Connecticut Energy Assistance Program (CEAP) Help CT residents afford to heat their homes, paid directly to utilities or fuel supplier, typical benefits range from $100-$600 Income below 60% SMI and already receive SNAP, Temporary Family Assistance (TFA/TANF), Supplemental Security Income (SSI), State Supplement for the Aged, Blind, and Disabled (State Supp), or Refugee Cash Connecticut Energy Assistance Program--How To Apply 
Operation Fuel Provides one-time grant per household, per year for deliverable fuel oil, natural gas, electricity, kerosene, wood, propane, pellets, and other energy sources Household income less than 75% SMI  Get Help - Operation Fuel  
Low-income discount rate (LIDR) Two-tiered discount rate, 10% (Tier 1) or 50% discount (Tier 2) Household income up to 60% SMI for Tier 1 and household income up to 160% federal poverty guideline for Tier 2 
Program to begin no later than Jan 1, 2024. Exact application instructions TBD. Customers that receive CEAP funds will be automatically enrolled into Tier 1. Community Action Agencies will help enroll customers in Tier 2. 
New Start (Eversource) Helps eliminate outstanding balance, customer makes on-time monthly payments and 1/12th of enrollment balance is eliminated or forgiven, up to $20,000 annually   Household income less than 60% SMI or have a medical certification for a household member  Call: 800-286-2828  
Eversource Matching Payment Program Eversource will match customer’s payment plus the amount of energy assistance customer receives on their account   Must receive energy assistance from CEAP   Call: 800-286-2828 (electric) or 800-438-2278 (gas)  
Bill Forgiveness Plan (UI) Helps customers reduce or eliminate past-due balances, 100% dollar match of all payments made, 12-month program or until a zero balance is reached   Income less than 60% SMI   Call: 800-7-CALL-UI (800.722.5584) 
UI Matching Payment Program UI will match payments customer makes to outstanding, past-due electric utility bill   Income less than 60% SMI with electric as primary heat source  Call: 800-7-CALL-UI (800.722.5584)  

 

Loans and Financing

Program Name

Description Eligibility How to Apply
Energy Conservation Loan Offers below market rates, emergency situations only (non-working heating systems and leaking roofs), $400-$25,000 for 10-year period Must be ineligible for other loan programs (Smart-E loan and EnergizeCT Heating Loan) 

Must apply for Smart-E loan or Heating Loan before being considered for emergency ECL loan 

Roofing applicants must contact Capital for Change (860-233-5165, ext: 2002) 

Micro Loan 0% interest rate for 3 years repayment term for $500 to $3,000 loan amount. Loan available for insulation, heat pumps, hot water heaters, etc. Can make loan payments through utility bill 

CT resident and customer of UI or Eversource. Improvements must be recommended through HES. 

HES-IE customers may qualify for additional work to be included in loan.

Online application
Smart-E Loans

$500 to $40,000 loans for eligible efficiency improvements. Loans can be added to monthly electric bill 

Summer special offer – 2.99% or 1.99% for battery storage, EV charging equipment, heat pumps, heat pump water heaters

Must own and occupy a single or 2-4 family home 

Summer special – at or below 100% SMI (only through C4C?)

Find a Smart-E Contractor and find a Smart-E Lender
EnergizeCT Heat Loan Program 0.99% APR and up to $15,000 financing for 3 to 10 year terms for new energy efficiency heating systems. Loan can be added to electric bill  Residential rate customer of Eversource or UI. Cannot have had late payments for most recent 6 consecutive months or no more than two late payments for the last 12 consecutive months.  Find a contractor and apply online
Landlord Loan $3,000 to $40,000 loans with 4.49-6.99% interest rate for conducting qualified improvements/equipment replacements to make property more weathertight and energy efficient to attract and retain tenants by lowering utility bills  Must own single or 2-4 family home  Call: 1-860-233-5165
Loans Improving Multifamily Efficiency (LIME) Provides financing for owners seeking to improve energy efficiency, economics, and health and safety of their properties. 5-20 year loans with a 5.00-6.99% interest rate Any market-rate or affordable multifamily property with 5 or more units (includes public housing authorities, non-profits)  PDF Application
EnergizeCT Health & Safety Revolving Loan Fund Provides loans that permit owners of multifamily housing serving primarily low-income residents to remediate health and safety issues that must be completed in conjunction with or that will enable follow-on energy upgrades and improvements. 20-year loans of $10,000 to $300,000 (waivers for larger loans possible) at 2.99% interest rate

Multifamily properties (5+ units) where at least 60% units serve low-income residents (incomes at or less than 80% AMI) 

Includes private or non-profit owned properties, housing authorities, condos, or coops, assisted living, or supportive housing communities 

Application form
Connecticut Property Assessed Clean Energy (C-PACE) Through this program building owners access affordable, long-term financing for qualifying clean energy and energy efficiency upgrades that can lower energy costs and make their buildings more comfortable 

Building owners, contractors, and developers

  • And almost every type of commercial property)
Apply here

 

Rebates

Program Name

Description Eligibility How to Apply
 EnergizeCT Rebates Rebates on a wide range of energy efficient measures 

Residential electric service customers 

*these do not specifically target LMI households* 

Apply here 
Home Electrification and Appliance Rebate Program 

Point of sale rebates on home electrification upgrades (heat pumps, heat pump water heaters, electrical panels, etc.), up to $14,000 

Programs in development 

Income less than 150% AMI (50% cost of retrofit project), income less than 80% AMI (100% cost of retrofit project)  Programs are in development 
Home Efficiency Rebate Program 

Energy performance-based rebates (amount of rebate depends on energy savings), $4,000-$8,000 max 

Programs in development 

All CT residents (maximum rebate available to households with income less than 80% AMI)  Programs are in development 

 

Solar/Renewables

Program Name

Description Eligibility How to Apply
Connecticut Residential Renewable Energy Solutions (RRES) 

Offers residential solar installations the opportunity to sell the energy and renewable energy certificates (RECs) at fixed 20-year price through one of two incentive rate structures (buy-all or netting) 

Low-income ($0.025/kWh) and distressed municipality ($0.125/kWh) adders  

Less than 60% SMI for LMI adder 

Multifamily dwellings that participate in the Low-Income Housing Tax Credit Program (LIHTC) or if a majority of households earn 80% or less of AMI; or if two-thirds or more of residents have household income at or below 60% SMI or  naturally occurring affordable housing 

System installers or their authorized agents are responsible for applying to the program on behalf of system owners and customers 
Statewide Shared Clean Energy Facilities (SCEF)  Program to support annual development of 50 MW of renewable energy projects. Subscribers will receive a credit on their monthly bill  

Income less than 60% SMI, or affordable housing facility (low-income customers) 

Income between 60%-100% AMI (moderate income customers) 

Most customers will be automatically enrolled by their electric company, at which point they can opt-out if they do not wish to participate. After the opt-out phase, eligible customers that were not auto-enrolled may apply for the subscriptions. 
Connecticut Hydrogen and Electric Automobile Purchase Rebate (CHEAPR)  Offers incentives to Connecticut residents who purchase or lease an eligible vehicle from a licensed Connecticut automobile dealership. Incentive amounts currently range from $4,250 for an eligible new battery electric (BEV), $2,250 for a plug-in hybrid electric (PHEV), and up to $9,500 for a fuel cell electric vehicle (FCEV) when a Standard Rebate is combined with Rebate+ New for Rebate+ qualified individuals.  Connecticut Residents  Visit this webpage to get started
CHEAPER (Connecticut Hydrogen and Electric Automobile Purchase Rebate) Rebate+ 

New cars: $2,250 rebate for plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV), $4,250 for battery electric vehicle (BEV), $9,500 for fuel cell electric vehicle (FCEV) 

Used cars: $1,125 for PHEV, $3,000 for BEV, $7,500 for FCEV (no private sales) 

Rebates extended until Dec 31, 2022 or until funds are exhausted 

Rebate+ qualifying individuals must meet one of these criteria:

After purchase or lease of an eligible vehicle, you will receive an email with additional information to determine if you qualify and instructions on how to apply for Rebate + New. If qualify, complete application and submit required documents. 

For used cars, complete online or paper application within 45 days of vehicle purchase. 

CHEAPR- E bike 

The Connecticut (CT) Electric Bicycle (eBike) Incentive Program offers point of sale incentives of up to $1,500 for Connecticut residents who purchase new eligible bicycles (eBike). CT eBike Incentive Program consists of two incentives, the Standard Voucher and Voucher+

All Connecticut residents aged 18 years and older

Voucher+: Connecticut residents who reside in an Environmental Justice (EJ) community or Distressed Municipality, participate in a state or federal income qualifying program, or have an income less than 300% of the Federal Poverty Level (FPL) 

Apply here 
Shared Clean Energy Facility (SCEF) Pilot Program  Two-year initiative to support development of SCEFs in CT 

Household annual income is eligible for any federal, state, or local assistance program that limits participation to income less than 175% federal poverty limit; or income less than 80% of the greater of AMI or SMI 

Master-metered multi-unit building wherein at least one tenant qualifies under above income guidelines 

Some projects still in development, contact utility provider.  
Energy Storage Solutions 

Help Eversource and UI customers install energy storage at their home or business.  

Up to $400/kWh (low-income household) or $300/kWh (underserved communities) in upfront discount  

Household income at or below 60% SMI. Customers can be verified by Green Bank, Eversource/UI, Operation Fuel, or other approved community partners (more info here 

If already have solar, then talk to company that installed system to discuss adding batteries. 

If don’t have solar, consult list of eligible contractors to being conversation or reach out to Green Bank or local utility provider. 

CT Electric Vehicle (EV) Charging Program

Eversource page

UI page

Per-site max rebate of $40,000 for a level 2 charger at a multifamily building, public area, or workplace in an underserved community. 

Per-site max rebate of $250,000 for a DCFC (direct current fast charger) at any property type in an underserved community.  

Within a census block where 30% or more of the population consists of low-income persons who are not institutionalized and have income below 200% federal poverty level. 

“Distressed municipalities,” “environmental justice communities,” and “public housing authorities” as defined in CT General Statutes. 

Within distressed municipality included on this list

Public housing authority multifamily property. 

Complete a Make-Ready application (Eversource [PDF version] or UI).  
Non-residential Renewable Energy Solutions (NRES) 

Commercial clean energy program with the goal of helping Connecticut customers install solar projects and other renewable energy technologies, providing up to 60 MW of zero and low emissions distributed generation annually for six years.

Approved NRES projects are eligible to sell energy and renewable energy certificates (RECs) to the EDCs for a 20-year term under one of two tariff rate structures. 

Projects that generate non-residential solar or other Connecticut Class I renewable technologies  Apply here

 

Lead Remediation

Program Name

Description Eligibility How to Apply
CT Children’s Healthy Homes Program Address housing-related health hazards, such as lead-based paint, mold, asbestos, and injury risks

Contact CT Children’s for more info

Call 860-837-6234 to learn more or complete online form at bottom of page 
Lead Poisoning Prevention and Control Program

Prevent lead poisoning and promote wellness through education and a wide range of program activities that relate to lead poisoning prevention, specifically childhood lead poisoning prevention

Contact DPH for more info Options for Homeowners 

 

Broadband Programs

Program Name

Description Eligibility How to Apply
Affordable Connectivity Program Up to $30/month discount for broadband service, up to $75/month discount for households on qualifying tribal land, and one-time discount of up to $100 for a laptop, desktop, or tablet

Household income at or below 200% federal poverty guidelines or if a household member meets at least one of the criteria outlined here

Submit an application here or print out a mail-in application. Then contact preferred participating provider to select plan and have discount applied 
CT Broadband Infrastructure Programs

The State Broadband Grant Programs will enable residences and businesses to connect to broadband infrastructure for affordable and reliable service. 

Programs in development

TBD TBD - programs are in development

 

Workforce Programs

Program Name

Description Eligibility How to Apply
CareerConnectCT Help CT residents afford to heat their homes, paid directly to utilities or fuel supplier, typical benefits range from $100-$600 Income below 60% SMI and already receive SNAP, Temporary Family Assistance (TFA/TANF), Supplemental Security Income (SSI), State Supplement for the Aged, Blind, and Disabled (State Supp), or Refugee Cash Connecticut Energy Assistance Program--How To Apply
Tunxis Community College Energy Management Program Provides one-time grant per household, per year for deliverable fuel oil, natural gas, electricity, kerosene, wood, propane, pellets, and other energy sources Household income less than 75% SMI Get Help - Operation Fuel
Efficiency for All CT Workforce Program Two-tiered discount rate, 10% (Tier 1) or 50% discount (Tier 2) Household income up to 60% SMI for Tier 1 and household income up to 160% federal poverty guideline for Tier 2
Program to begin no later than Jan 1, 2024. Exact application instructions TBD. Customers that receive CEAP funds will be automatically enrolled into Tier 1.Community Action Agencieswill help enroll customers in Tier 2.
eesmarts Helps eliminate outstanding balance, customer makes on-time monthly payments and 1/12th of enrollment balance is eliminated or forgiven, up to $20,000 annually Household income less than 60% SMI or have a medical certification for a household member Call: 800-286-2828
Green STEP (Sustainability Technical Education Program) Eversource will match customer’s payment plus the amount of energy assistance customer receives on their account Must receive energy assistance from CEAP Call: 800-286-2828 (electric) or 800-438-2278 (gas)

 

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Content last updated October, 2023