With a shared goal of educating customers on available home electrification and decarbonization programs, the Sponsors of Energize Connecticut , Eversource and Avangrid, Inc. subsidiaries United Illuminating, Southern Connecticut Gas and Connecticut Natural Gas, have partnered with Rewiring America, a nonprofit focused on electrifying homes, businesses and communities, to develop and disseminate energy-saving resources.
In addition to highlighting Energize CT programs, the newly created materials will inform customers on how to take advantage of federal electrification and energy efficiency rebate programs as well as the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) and its energy efficiency-related tax credits. The IRA, a 2022 federal law, is designed to advance clean energy and reduce greenhouse gas emissions through support for investment in domestic energy production, energy efficiency and beneficial electrification. The Energize CT Sponsors will work alongside Connecticut's Department of Energy and Environmental Protection to develop programs and offerings that utilize the IRA funds.
"These programs are critical to achieving a green economy and reaching our goal of net zero for Connecticut, which is why we look forward to expanding our partnership with Rewiring America," said Tilak Subrahmanian, Eversource Vice President of Energy Efficiency and Electric Mobility. "Through this partnership, we hope to make the information more accessible and empower more homeowners, renters and business owners to make energy-efficient upgrades."
"There are several federal and state electrification and decarbonization programs and rebates available to customers. Many who want to be part of the change, though, may not know where to start. This is why our partnership with Rewiring America is significant and why we're excited to join forces with them," said Hammad Chaudhry, Senior Manager of Conservation and Load Management at Avangrid. "With their assistance, we will be able to help customers navigate and understand the programs and rebates available to them."
In January, the IRA implemented two new tax credits - the Energy Efficient Home Improvement Credit and the Residential Clean Energy Property Credit, which incentivizes household electrification and efficiency upgrades.
The Energy Efficient Home Improvement Credit covers the purchase and installation costs for heat pumps, heat pump water heaters, and electric panel upgrades. Homeowners and renters who take advantage of this program can receive up to $3,200 in tax credits. The Residential Clean Energy Property Credit offers a 30 percent uncapped tax credit for rooftop solar, battery storage and geothermal heating, and covers purchase and installation costs.
On July 27, the U.S. Department of Energy released implementation guidance to state energy offices for electrification and energy efficiency rebate programs. These rebates, available later this year, will bring the benefits of highly efficient, high-performance appliances to the broadest swath of Americans, helping ensure all Americans have real access to lower energy bills, healthier air and more comfortable homes.
"We are thrilled to work alongside the Energize Connecticut Sponsors to reach new communities in Connecticut and educate its residents on ways to increase their energy savings and improve home comfort," said Keishaa Austin, Head of Community at Rewiring America. "We look forward to increasing program accessibility in Connecticut for both families and businesses and help them work towards a cleaner, more electric future."
For more than a decade, Connecticut has been recognized as one of the most energy-efficient states in the country. The Energize Connecticut Sponsors focus on electrification, workforce development and equity, making the future of clean energy accessible to all. Through its services, incentives, rebates, trainings and programs, the Energize Connecticut Sponsors provide a variety of opportunities for residents and businesses to do their part in creating a more sustainable future.
Rewiring America's purpose is to make electrification simple, measurable and inevitable. Through data and analysis, Rewiring America tells stories of electric transformation, inspiring customers to decarbonize and ensuring that no community is left behind in the process. From rewiring schools to homes and more, its commitment to healthier homes, cleaner air and energy savings will aid the Sponsors in reaching net zero in Connecticut.
For more information about Energize Connecticut and the Inflation Reduction Act, please visit https://energizect.com/IRA-Tax-Credit.
About Energize Connecticut
Energize Connecticut is an initiative dedicated to empowering Connecticut to make smart energy choices, now and in the future. We provide Connecticut consumers, businesses, and communities the resources and information they need to make it easy to save energy and build a clean energy future for everyone in the state. It is an initiative of the Connecticut Energy Efficiency Fund, the Connecticut Green Bank, the State, and your local electric and gas utilities. The initiative has funding support from a charge on customer energy bills.
About Rewiring America
Rewiring America is the leading electrification nonprofit, focused on electrifying our homes, businesses, and communities. We develop accessible, actionable data and tools, and build coalitions and partnerships to make going electric easier for households and communities. Rewiring America helps Americans save money, tackle nationwide emissions goals, improve health, and build the next generation of the clean energy workforce.
