Free energy audits offered in New Haven

New Haven, Conn. (WTNH) - The city of New Haven is offering free home energy audits to residents.

Technicians visited Mayor John DeStefano's Westville home and performed an assessment there. Everything from the freezer to the heating unit is checked.

"This particular freezer, it's 25 years old, built in 1986, and it is an energy hog," explained the technician.

City Hall is hoping the mayor's assessment will encourage more people around town to get their home's checked out. The average resident will save about $250 a year.

"Here in the city of New Haven there are a lot of older housing stock, you see a lot of homes still without insulation in the walls," said John Greeno, New England Conservation Services.

The technicians will shore up whatever leaks they can, install low-flow showerheads and faucets, as well as energy-efficient compact fluorescent light bulbs.

The program is a collaboration between the city, the CT Energy Efficiency Fund and the United Illuminating Company. Funding comes from a grant from the US Department of Energy. Residents are encouraged to sign up here before funding runs out - first come, first serve!