Norwalk’s Hurricane Sandy victims eligible for rebates, financing

HARTFORD, Conn. – Did you lose essential equipment at your Norwalk home or business to Hurricane Sandy? Gov. Dannel Malloy has news.

Malloy announced on Tuesday that $3 million in additional energy efficiency incentives are now available for residents and businesses replacing furnaces, boilers, hot water heaters and refrigerators as a result of damage from storm.

“Many of the homes and businesses affected by Storm Sandy will be replacing damaged appliances, and heating and cooling equipment,” Malloy said in a statement.¬¬¬¬¬ “This unfortunate situation does, however, provide a unique opportunity to help property owners improve, rather than just repair, their properties by making energy efficiency investments that will save them money for years to come.”

The deadline for applications for the incentives is Dec. 31, 2012.

Malloy also announced that special funding is available, in the form of low-cost financing, for eligible equipment with optional on-utility-bill repayment for customers who make energy efficiency upgrades in equipment or insulation and air sealing while renovating or reconstructing their residence or business as a result of storm damage.

A team has been formed to assist home owners and businesses through the application process for these increased incentives and financing options.

Property owners will be also be encouraged to take advantage of the comprehensive energy efficiency assessments available under current programs and be allowed to do that after their lives are back to normal. Rebates connected to those audits will have extended qualification times.

Anyone seeking information about the various energy efficiency incentives or financing options available for replacing or repairing equipment should call the Connecticut Energy Information Line at 1-877-WISE-USE (1-877-947-3873).

The money for increased rebates will be financed largely with energy efficiency funds made available through the Northeast Utilities/NStar merger settlement agreement.

Malloy said key partners in the effort to maximize awareness of this assistance and to provide information about the most efficient and cost effective options available to those who suffered storm damage are:

• United Illuminating
• Connecticut Light & Power
• Connecticut Insurance Department and insurance companies
• Infoline 2-1-1
• FEMA and Disaster Relief Centers
• The Connecticut Energy Efficiency Fund¬
• Energize Connecticut (www.energizect.com)
• Connecticut Department of Energy & Environmental Protection (ww.ct.gov/deep)
• Connecticut Energy Information (www.ctenergyinfo.com)