The Weatherization Assistance Program is administered by the State of Connecticut, Department of Social Services (DSS). Funding is provided by the U.S. Department of Energy. In Connecticut, the State contracts with the community action agency (CAA) network to operate the program, which shares a single application process with the Connecticut Energy Assistance Program (CEAP). There are five CAAs that provide the weatherization services statewide in collaboration with the others in the network. The purpose of the program is to assist low-income families with incomes up to 60% of the state median income reduce their energy bills by making their homes more energy efficient.

Below are the addresses and phone numbers of the five regional Community Action Agencies that provide statewide Weatherization services, if you apply for Energy Assistance:

• ABCD, 1070 Park Avenue, Bridgeport, CT 06604, 203-384-6904 (covers ABCD, CTE, and NEON community action agency towns, including Bridgeport, Stamford, and Norwalk areas)
• The Access Community Action Agency, 1315 Main Street, Willimantic, CT 06226, 860-450-7423 (covers The Access Community Action Agency and TVCCA agency towns, including Willimantic, Danielson, and New London areas)
• CAANH, 781 Whalley Avenue, New Haven, CT 06515, 203-387-7700 (covers CAANH and TEAM agency towns, including New Haven and Derby areas)
• CRT, 395 Wethersfield Avenue, Hartford, CT 06114, 860-560-5800 or 1-800-798-3805 (covers CRT, BCO, and HRANB agency towns, including Hartford, Middletown, Bristol, and New Britain areas)
• NO, 232 North Elm Street, Waterbury, CT, 203-756-8151 (covers NO, NOGM, and CACD agency towns, including Waterbury, Meriden, and Danbury areas)

A utility funded WRAP energy audit is performed on each unit to determine the weatherization measures to be installed. Typical measures include health and safety inspections, heating system tune-ups and repairs, attic and side-wall insulation, blower guided air-sealing to reduce drafts, and in limited cases, storm windows, window and door repairs or replacement.

Both homeowners and renters are eligible to apply for services, which can average up to $6,500 in material and labor/support cost per unit. These services are free of charge to eligible applicants, and in the case of renters, landlords are asked to contribute twenty percent of the total material cost, up to a maximum of $500 per eligible unit.

Connecticut’s annual budget is approximately $5.3 million dollars and approximately 657 homes are weatherized each year.

For more information, Connecticut residents can call the DSS Energy Services Hotline, toll-free, at 1-800-842-1132.

Ways To Save Energy

1. Have your heating system cleaned and tuned yearly for best efficiency.

2. Do not block heating or cooling vents with a bed, carpet, couch, dresser or other pieces of solid furniture.

3. Take short showers or baths.

4. Washing and rinsing your clothes in cold water can save over $50 a year.

5. Wash only full loads of clothes and dishes.

6. Turn down the thermostats when you are asleep or gone during the day.

7. Cover your pots when cooking to reduce the amount of heat needed and cooking time.

8. Turn off the oven five minutes before you are done baking to take advantage of built-up heat.

9. Lower your hot water heater temperature to 120 degrees.

10. Seal off fireplaces when not in use to prevent heat loss.

Other energy and cost saving tips and information on how to do your own energy audit are available at the following sites: 

You can do OneThing and have a larger role in energy conservation

No-Cost Ways To Save Energy & Money

A Consumer's Guide to Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy

Weatherization Tips For Your Home

Home Energy Saver