Energy Conservation, Efficiency and Alternative Fuels

General Information About Energy in CT 

For the Home  |  For Businesses  |  For State & Local Government  |  Fuel Information

For the Home

Did you know? A  refrigerator, especially an older model, is the biggest energy user in your home. Learn more.  
Some appliances and electronics use electricity even when they are turned off! Learn more about phantom loads.

Appliances, Lighting and Electronics

• Need a new ceiling fan, water heater or furnace? The Energy Star website has information on products in over 60 categories.
• ENERGY STAR-qualified LEDs use only 20%–25% of the energy and last up to 25 times longer than the traditional incandescent bulbs; ENERGY STAR-qualified CFLs use about one-fourth the energy and lasts ten times longer than a comparable traditional incandescent bulb.  
• Find out more about lighting choices to save money and energy. How to dispose of CFLs properly.
• Are your CFLs burning out too fast? Learn more about making them last longer (P2View, Spring 2012).
• Dry clothes outdoors or use a clothes rack indoors.
• Waiting until 8 pm to run large appliances, like a washing machine or pool pump, helps control costs for everyone, lowers harmful emissions and reduces the strain on CT's electric system. For more information, call 1-877-WISE USE.

Heating and Cooling

• Insulating your home properly will make you more comfortable and save energy.
• If you use a programmable thermostat you won't have to remember to adjust the heat or air conditioning when you leave for the day. More $$$ saved! 
• Learn about heating your home with wood burning furnaces.

Renewable Energy

• Learn about the different types of clean energy. The CT Green Bank offers programs and funding opportunities to homeowners interested in using clean energy sources.
• You can choose a supplier that provides energy from renewable sources.
• Learn about CT's solar investment program, the solar hot water incentive program and the residential geothermal incentive program.

Tools to Assess Your Home Energy Use:

• ENERGY STAR Home Advisor, online tool guides the homeowner through a do-it-yourself energy assessment so you can save money and energy.
• Home Energy Solutions offers home energy audits.
• Learn about DIY home energy audits.
• Use these tools to estimate the energy use of your home appliances. 
• Calculate your carbon footprint.

Teaching Kids About Energy Conservation

• Help kids learn how to save energy by doing simple things like powering off their video games, turning off the lights when they leave the room and more.
• Energy Hog Busters Game
• The Energy Kids Page has energy games, classroom activities, energy facts.
• Find out about the Energize CT Center in North Haven, where schools can take trips to learn about energy efficiency and renewable energy and ways to use energy wisely.
• eesmarts is an educational initiative that consists of workshops, lessons, resources and events that give students an understanding of the science, math and technology related to clean, renewable energy and electricity. 

Resources

• EnergizeCT Energy Basics
• CT Energy Info - Connecticut's Energy Information Center
• Energy Savers has tips for saving energy and money at home and on the road. 
• Alliance to Save Energy
• American Council for an Energy Efficient Economy
• Eversource's Energy Efficiency at Home
• Visit the Energize CT Center in North Haven for info on energy efficiency, products and more.

For Businesses

• The CT Green Bank (formerly CEFIA) mission is to promote, develop and invest in clean energy and energy efficiency projects in order to strengthen Connecticut’s economy, protect community health, improve the environment, and promote a secure energy supply for the state.
• Energy audits, rebate programs and assistance information at EnergizeCT from Eversource (formerly CL&P) and United Illuminating.
• No-cost on-site energy efficiency analysis of plant and process operations by the Industrial Assessment Center at University of Massachusetts.
• Utilize EPA’s new Energy Star at Work online tool.
• US Department of Energy - Technical assistance program on motors, steam, compressed air, and process heating and information on combined heat and power.

For State & Local Government

Fuel Information

• Everything you want to know about fuels and energy. 
• Biomass is renewable, organic material that can be used as a fuel or energy source. Some examples include all types of plant materials (forest thinnings, agricultural crops and residue, wood and wood waste), animal waste, landfill methane gas, sewage and solid waste.
• Biodiesel is an alternative fuel, produced from either virgin vegetable oils (such as soy, canola) or from waste greases or other renewable resources.