Two home energy assessment firms have been awarded contracts to help homeowners identify how to increase their home’s energy efficiency.
The Princeton Council awarded contracts to Ciel Power LLC and to Green Home Solutions to take part in Princeton’s energy efficiency efforts. Homeowners will decide whether to participate and hire one of the selected contractors at their own expense.
Ciel Power LLC will charge $49 to the homeowner to conduct an energy efficiency audit and Green Home Solutions will charge $100 to $150 to the homeowner for an energy efficiency audit.
Princeton received a $2,500 grant from the Sustainable Jersey-PSE&G Energy Efficiency Partnership Program to support a residential energy efficiency outreach campaign, according to a memorandum from Deputy Administrator Deanna Stockton.
The goal of the energy efficiency outreach program is to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and to further the town’s commitment to its Climate Action Plan goals, Stockton wrote.
Sustainable Jersey recommended that Princeton offer a narrow pool of contractors to encourage greater participation in PSE&G’s residential energy efficiency program. There are specialized programs for low-income households.
Homeowners may choose whether to participate in the program. If they choose to participate, they will hire one of two contractors – Ciel Power LLC or Green Home Solutions – to perform an energy efficiency audit.
However, there is no requirement for homeowners who participate in the energy efficiency audit to follow all of the energy conservation measures that the audit may reveal.
If they do choose to undertake some of the suggested improvements, they may talk to the contractor about the different incentive levels that are offered by PSE&G.
The audit consists of checking for air sealing opportunities to plug air leaks, as well as checking for ambient carbon monoxide levels by using a combustion analyzer.
Furnaces, boilers and water heaters will be checked for efficiency, carbon monoxide, fuel leaks and flue gas spillage by using a combustion analyzer. A gas leak detector will be used to check for gas leaks in all pipes inside the house.
Visual inspections will be performed to determine if there are any improperly vented and unvented appliances, such as clothes dryers, mechanical and exhaust vents, and unvented space heaters.
The visual inspection extends to checking for moisture issues, mold and asbestos.
The homeowner will be given a home energy report that lists all of the findings by Ciel Power LLC or Green Home Solutions. The report will identify any problems and also list recommendations for improvements or upgrades.
The home improvements or upgrades include opportunities to increase electrification of the home, such as installing electric heat pumps or mini-split systems. The emphasis is on electrification over natural gas for improvements or upgrades.
The report will include the projected costs of the improvements or upgrades. Information about state and federal rebates and incentives, as well as the estimated savings based on the scope of the work, will be included.
