The Connecticut Energy Efficiency Fund (CEEF) was created in 1998 as a means of helping homeowners, businesses and government organizations save energy and money by reducing the amount of energy they use. Fund-supported programs are administered by energy providing utilities, whose customers pay for them through conservation charges on their electric and natural gas bills. According to a 2007 report prepared by the Energy Conservation Management Board for the state legislature, Connecticut ratepayers will receive approximately $4 in electric system benefits for every $1 invested in CEEF programs over the lifetime of installed efficiency measures.

Home Energy Solutions (HES) is one of the CEEF programs that are available to energy users for a $75 fee, paid to an authorized contractor at the time of service. East Hampton resident John Greeno, of New England Conservation Services, is one of the contractors. He presented details of the program last week in the latest of an ongoing series of public forums on energy use and conservation hosted by the East Hampton Clean Energy Task Force.

“With renewable energy, it takes years to get your money back. Conservation gives back immediately,” said Greeno, opening his talk about the HES program, which starts with an energy audit for your home.

A blower door test determines where leaks are occurring in the home.

“We basically recreate winter time conditions,” said Greeno, of the test which is run with all doors and windows closed tightly. Any discovered leaks are then sealed, what Greeno called “tightening up the home.”

According to Greeno, the attic is the major leakage point in most homes, so they check that part of the house first.

“If you can block the attic, it basically repairs the whole house,” he said.

Similarly, house ductwork is checked and any leaks are sealed.

As part of the program, customers can also have up to 14 of their household lights replaced with compact fluorescent bulbs at no additional cost, said Greeno. And this includes more decorative types of bulbs, in addition to the typical coiled fluorescents that have become familiar sights in many fixtures.

A number of rebates are also available through the HES program, including $500 on the installation of qualified central air conditioning units, as well as $25 rebates for replacing old appliances with energy efficient models. Geothermal units are also eligible for rebates up to $1,500, and insulation upgrades are eligible for rebates up to $1 per square foot, although the amount will decrease early next year, said Greeno.

“It’s a no-brainer , really,” said Clean Energy Task Force member John Tuttle about the HES program, which he has taken advantage of in his home, including the installation of new fluorescent bulbs and a new humidifier.

“It definitely works. My utility bill is definitely down,” he said.

More information about the HES program can be found at the CL&P Web site (www.cl-p .com/Home/SaveEnergy/Rebates /HomeEnergySolutions.aspx).