Energy savings in a box

Efficiency Vermont offers free tool kit

Most people are eager to find new ways to save on their utility bills.

A program offered through Efficiency Vermont allows residents statewide to do just that. Better yet, it’s free.

Sign up for an Energy Savings Kit and you’ll receive a box full of energy-saving products, from a compact fluorescent light bulb to a digital thermometer and a low-flow showerhead. If you use them and follow the tips in a brochure enclosed with the kit, you could save up to $850 in a year.

The Energy Savings Kit program is one of Efficiency Vermont’s efforts to reach its broader energy savings goals, said public affairs manager Kelly Lucci.

Efficiency Vermont provides technical assistance, rebates and other financial incentives to help Vermont households and businesses reduce their energy costs with energy-efficient equipment, lighting, construction and renovations.

Efficiency Vermont is operated by a nonprofit organization, the Vermont Energy Investment Corporation. It partners with contractors, suppliers and retailers of energy-efficient products and services throughout the state.

The Energy Savings Kit provides products and information to help utility customers reduce their energy use and carbon footprint, as well as save money. The estimated retail value of each kit is $70.

“We wanted to provide households with good quality products that would reduce their energy usage, but also be easy to install,” said Lani Malapan, Efficiency Vermont program manager. “The idea is to have people test different products and see what will work best for their homes.”

Kit recipients who have questions or who want to offer feedback can call the Efficiency Vermont support staff at 888-921-5990, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday.

The state began distributing the kits in 2012. So far, 3,700 have been requested and shipped to customers.

“Over the last year, we’ve increased the number of kits and expanded the area where they are available,” Malapan said.

Rolling out the program slowly has allowed Efficiency Vermont to solicit feedback and use that information to improve the materials included in the kits, Malapan said.

“The primary goal was to reach people who have never worked with Efficiency Vermont or thought of energy efficiency,” Malapan said.

The state has invested about $180,000 in the program. The cost is covered by the monthly energy-efficiency charge that Vermont utility customers pay based on their energy usage.

Efficiency Vermont won’t track the energy usage of kit recipients, but each kit contains a survey that can be completed and returned for a chance to win a $100 Visa gift card.

“We hope people will take the time to share their thoughts on the program,” Malapan said.

Vermonters who want to make additional energy-efficiency upgrades to their homes can find resources to do so through Efficiency Vermont.

“If it (the kit) sparks an interest to do more, that is a conversation we’d love to have with them,” Lucci said. “They can call us at our toll-free number and share their energy efficiency goals and we can help them.”

To qualify for a free Energy Savings Kit, you must be a current Efficiency Vermont residential customer and you must rent or own a home in Vermont, excluding Burlington.

To request one, visit bit.ly/1e99Bt4 or call 888-921-5990.

Each Energy Savings Kit includes:

• A regular compact fluorescent light bulb

• A low-flow showerhead

• A bathroom faucet aerator

• An advanced power strip and a DVD showing how to use it.

• A digital thermometer

• A magnet with a reminder to wash clothing in cold water to save energy

• A Quick Start Guide with tips, checklists and instructions on how to use the products in the kit.

Information: efficiencyvermont.com, 888-921-5990.