New Haven Independent

The audit cost $75. We already made that up in the cost of the new energy-efficient light bulbs the technicians installed, along with a new low-flow shower head, a Kill-a-Watt power meter and rebates worth hundreds of dollars if we choose to buy any new appliances.

Any United Illuminating customer can request an audit.

When I called UI, I was referred to Lantern Energy, one of ten companies that cover UI’s service area. The audits are sponsored by the state’s two electric utilities — UI and CL&P — and the Connecticut Energy Efficiency Fund (whose budget Gov. M. Jodi Rell tried to raid to help plug the state’s budget hole, but which environmental and consumer groups rallied to save).

Step one of the audit was the walk-around of our house, which was built just after World War II.

We started in the basement, where Fred (pictured) noted that the ceiling has no insulation. No insulation in any of the walls, and none in most of the attic.

Meanwhile, Tom and Kevin set up the blower door test (pictured). It measured the amount of air leaking from the living space of the house through doors, windows, attic and other smaller openings.

A little background: We thought we were pretty energy efficient, judging by the steps we’d already taken. We changed most of our light bulbs. We added power strips in rooms with several appliances, including computers. We installed a low-flow shower head, which, besides saving water, saves energy by reducing the amount of water that needs to be heated. Our electricity bills have been about $100 a month for the past year, after the huge UI rate hike.

I thought we could do better, and was convinced to go ahead when I heard about the freebies offered.

Fred found 11 energy-sucking incandescent bulbs in the basement, the attic, a closet and two hallways. Here he’s screwing a CFL into our attic light. Households are eligible for up to 14 new bulbs, so I feel we got our money’s worth.

Central air conditioning is a huge power draw. We don’t have AC, but we do have an attic fan, which has been enough to keep us comfortable at night during all but the longest summer heat waves. I found out it’s creating a huge air exchange between the attic and the living space — sending cold air down in the winter and letting warm air escape to the attic. Kevin (pictured at top of story) holds a smoke stick up to the fan’s exhaust on our second floor, to demonstrate the air exchange. That’s our pull-down attic door behind him, which has never shut all the way. The guys took care of that by installing two latches.

They suggested other steps we could take, mainly putting in more insulation. They said it’s much cheaper than putting in new energy-efficient windows, and does more to lower energy bills. My study has a big sliding glass door, which I sit right next to at my computer, and Tom pointed out that the metal frame conducts heat to the outdoors in winter. No wonder I freeze in that room! We decided a thermal drape, or quilting the existing drape over the door, would help significantly and not break the bank.

Here’s Tom installing some weather stripping.

These guys love their work, for which they had to attend a specialized training. In their previous lives, Fred was a contractor (until an injury forced him into the insurance business, which he hated); Tom was a plumber; and Kevin remodeled kitchens and worked part-time as a bartender. He demonstrated the gift of gab — as when I moved my daughter’s wedding dress out of his way, commenting that she’s borrowing it from her best friend, who bought it at Goodwill, and he launched into a story about a woman he knows who got a most amazing dress at the same store — and Fred said, “He’s Irish. I don’t know how many times he’s kissed the blarney stone.”

Fred said insulation and weather stripping contribute the most to energy conservation. “It’s not sexy but it gets you the best payback.” So now I’m getting three quotes for attic insulation, and hope to use my rebates — which double in value if I act promptly.