Connecticut Energy Assistance Program (CEAP)
CEAP provides monetary assistance for citizens struggling to pay heating bills. This program is available to renters as well as homeowners.
It is administered by DSS and coordinated by Community Action Agencies. Eligibilty requirements are eased if a member of your household is over 60 years old or has a disability.
CEAP offers basic benefits for homeowners and renters who pay separately for heat up to $880 in winter heating assistance for ‘vulnerable’ households and up to $840 in winter heating assistance for non-vulnerable households. Minimum benefit level is $605.
You are eligible for CEAP if the total of your annual household income and liquid assets over $10,000 is less than:
Income limits reflect 2008 Federal Poverty Guidelines. Eligibilty for the upcoming heating season will be based on 2009 guidelines.
| Household of 1 |
Household of 2 |
Household of 3 |
Household of 4 |
Household of 5 |
| $16,245 |
$21,855 |
$27,465 |
$33,075 |
$38,685 |
if you or a member of your household is at least 60 years old or has a disability:
| Household of 1 |
Household of 2 |
Household of 3 |
Household of 4 |
Household of 5 |
| $21,660 |
$29,140 |
$36,620 |
$44,100 |
$51,580 |
If your household exceeds 5 members or for more information on the progam please visit the website for the Department of Social Services
To apply, find your local community action agency
Contingency Heating Assistance Program (CHAP)
The Contingency Heating Assistance Program (CHAP) assists households with incomes up to 60% of the State Median Income Guidelines that are not eligible for CEAP.
CHAP is available for people who do not qualify for CEAP. CHAP provides basic benefit of $580.
You are eligible for CHAP if the total of your annual household income and liquid assets over $10,000 is less than:
Income limits reflect 2008 Federal Poverty Guidelines. Eligibilty for the upcoming heating season will be based on 2009 guidelines.
| Household of 1 |
Household of 2 |
Household of 3 |
Household of 4 |
Household of 5 |
| $30,485 |
$39,865 |
$49,245 |
$58,625 |
$68,005 |
If your household exceeds 5 members or for more information on the progam please visit the website for the Department of Social Services
To apply, find your local community action agency
Operation Fuel
Operation Fuel is a non-profit organization that provides heating assistance to families who do not qualify for government assistance. You must exhaust benefits under CEAP or CHAP before receiving benefits under Operation Fuel. The maximum grant for the 2009-2010 heating season is $500.
You are eligible for Operation Fuel if the total of your annual household income and liquid assets over $10,000 is less than:
Income limits reflect 2008 Federal Poverty Guidelines. Eligibilty for the upcoming heating season will be based on 2009 guidelines.
| Household of 1 |
Household of 2 |
Household of 3 |
Household of 4 |
Household of 5 |
| $21,660 |
$29,140 |
$36,620 |
$44,100 |
$51,580 |
If your household exceeds 5 members or for more information on the progam please visit Operation Fuel's website
To apply, find your local community action agency or call 2-1-1
Fuel Banks
Many municipalities have fuel banks which can provide funds to help people pay for high energy bills.
For more information find your local fuel bank.
Utility Sponsored Assistance
Connecticut Light and Power, Yankee Gas, United Illuminating, and Southern Connecticut Gas all offer programs to help customers who are financially challenged pay their utility bill.
These programs include matching payment programs which the utility matches a payment made by you or on your behalf through an energy assistance program as well as new start programs which forgive a portion of past-due bills.
Customers of Connecticut Light and Power, Yankee Gas, UI, and SCG who meet certain income requirements.
State of Connecticut Sales and Use Tax Exemptions
The State of Connecticut offers a sales tax exemption for energy efficient products. Energy efficient products include items such as the following:
- Windows and Doors
- Caulking
- Programmable Thermostats
- Compact Fluorescent Light Bulbs
- Furnaces and A/C Systems
- Water Heaters
For more information, please visit the website for the Department of Revenue Services
Federal Tax Credits
As part of the Federal stimulus package, the federal government is now offering tax credits for 30% of the cost, up to $1,500, on the purchase and installation of the following products provided they meet certain energy efficiency requirements:
- Windows and Doors
- Insulation
- Furnaces and A/C Systems
- Water Heaters
- Roofing
For more information, please visit the Energy Star website
Energy Audits
United Illuminating and Connecticut Light and Power offer programs to help improve the energy efficiency of customers, both home owners and renters, in their service areas.
Both the Connecticut Light and Power and United Illuminating programs provide in home inspections.
- Any drafts or leaks are sealed
- Inspection of insulation to determine if it is sufficient
- Installation of water heater pipe insulation
- Installation of energy efficient light bulbs, showerheads, and water faucet aerators
Under their Energy Solutions programs, all United Illuminating and Connecticut Light and Power customers who have electric or natural gas heat can receive this service for a $75 fee. Customers who heat with oil, propane or kerosene will be charged $300. However, for a limited time the $300 fee has been reduced to $75.
The UI Helps program and CL&P's WRAP program offer free inspections to qualifying low-income families who heat with oil, propane or kerosene.
Connecticut Housing Investment Fund (CHIF)
The Connecticut Housing Investment Fund provides low interest loans to single and multi-family homeowners for the purchase and installation of energy efficient equipment. The loans are for a maximum of 25,000 for single family and 2000 per unit to a max of 60,000 per building for multifamily. The loans may be applied to such energy efficient products as:
- Windows
- Roofs and Siding
- Solar Systems and Passive Solar Additions
- Replacement Heating Systems
- Insulation
Income limits vary by county.
0% interest loans are available for natural gas furnaces and boilers, and propane and oil furnaces and boilers that meet certain energy efficiency standards. For more information, please visit the Connecticut Housing Investment Fund's website
Connecticut Sales and Use Tax Exemption for Solar and Geothermal Systems
The State of Connecticut exempts sales tax on the purchase and installation of solar water, solar space heat, PV, and geothermal heating and cooling systems
More information on the solar sales tax exemption >>>
Property Tax Exemption for Renewable Energy Systems
The State of Connecticut allows for a property tax exemption for renewable energy systems that generate electricity for residential use. Solar water or space heating systems and geothermal energy systems are exempt from property taxes.
More information on the solar property tax exemption >>>
Federal Tax Credits
Home Owners who install solar water heating systems may qualify for a tax credit. The program allows for a 30% tax credit on the cost of the solar heating portion of the water heating system (up to $2000). The solar systems have to be placed into service from January 1, 2006 through Dec 31, 2008.
For more information, visit the Energy Star website >>>
Small Solar Rebate Program
The Clean Energy Fund offers rebates to solar PV systems for generating electricity. Residential, government and non-profits may take advantage of various rebate amounts based on the size and efficiency of their systems.
For more information, visit the Connecticut Clean Energy Fund's website >>>
Geothermal Heat Pump Rebate
Through the CT Energy Efficiency Fund, Connecticut Light and Power offers $500 per ton rebate (up to $3000) for the installation of geothermal heat pumps
For more information, visit CL&P's website >>>
Solar Lease Program
Offered by the Connecticut Clean Energy Fund, the CT Solar Lease Program is an innovative program designed to make solar energy systems available to moderate income Connecticut homeowers.
For more information, visit the Connecticut Clean Energy Fund's website >>>
Connecticut Sales and Use Tax Exemption for Fuel-Efficient Vehicles
Purchases and leases of new and used high efficiency vehicles with a U.S. Environmental Protection Agency fuel economy rating of at least 40 miles per gallon are exempt from sales tax.
These vehicles may also qualify for a local option property tax exemption. Check with your local government to find out if they offer this exemption.
For more information, visit the Department of Revenue Services' website >>>
Federal Tax Credits for Alternative Fuel Automobiles
Purchases of certain hybrid gasoline-electric, diesel, battery-electric, alternaitve fuel, and fuel cell vehicles may qualify for a tax credit.
Eligibilty is based on a formula determined by vehicle weight, technology and fuel economy compared to base year models.
For more information, visit the Energy Star website >>>
Grants, Rebates and Incentives for Businesses | Back to top
On-Site Renewable Distributive Generation Program
The Connecticut Clean Energy Fund Offers grants for the installation of on-site distributed generation. Technologies that may be used to obtain the grant include PV, wind power, landfill gas, fuel cells and more.
Eligibilty:Businesses and institutions that are interested in building a DG system of larger than 10 MW. Applicants must own the business or be a third party energy provider and must also be either a United Illuminating or Connecticut Light and Power customer.
For more information, visit the Connecticut Clean Energy Fund's website >>>
Affordable Housing Initiative Solar PV Rebate Program
The CT Clean Energy Fund provides grants to developers building single family and multifamily affordable housing to add a solar photovoltaic system. Developers may receive up to $60,000 per project for single family and up to $850,000 for multifamily projects.
Eligibilty:The projects must be in Connecticut Light and Power or United Illuminating service area. Single family projects can be up to 10kw and multifamily can be up to 200kw. Contact CT Clean Energy Fund for specific equipment requirements.
For more information, visit the Connecticut Clean Energy Fund's website >>>
Capital Grants for Customer–Side Distributed Resources
The Department of Public Utility Control offers grants of $450 per kilowatt for the installation of DG systems.
Eligibilty:United Illuminating and Connecticut Light and Power customers who are interested in installing a DG system of 65 or less kw.
For more information, visit DPUC's website >>>
Energy Conscious Blueprint Grant and Rebate Programs
Both Connecticut Light and Power and United Illuminating offer grant programs to businesses for making their buildings energy efficient. Grants are awarded for installing efficient lighting systems, for creating a high-performance building and for installing new HVAC equipment. United Illuminating also offers rebates to cover up to 100% of the incremental costs of the upgrades to high efficiency equipment.
Eligibilty:All commercial/industrial customers of United Illuminating or Connecticut Light and Power, who are building new structures, or are undergoing a major redesign of an old building
More information, UI customers | More information for CL&P customers
Energy Opportunities Program
The utility companies offer incentive programs for the installation and replacement of commercial and industrial equipment.
Eligibilty:Connecticut Light and Power and United Illuminating both have specific equipment and building requirements.
More information, UI customers | More information for CL&P customers
Small Business Energy Advantage Programs
Connecticut Light and Power and United Illuminating offer incentives to small business owners to improve the energy efficiency of their buildings. The businesses will have an energy audit to determine the best way to increase efficiency. The business may also receive equipment to lower their energy costs.
Eligibilty:Small businesses who are Connecticut Light and Power or United Illuminating customers.
More information, UI customers | More information for CL&P customers
MotorUp Incentive Program
The utility companies offer express rebates to businesses who are interested in replacing the motors in their equipment with higher efficiency motors.
Eligibilty:Business and Industrial customers of Connecticut Light and Power or United Illuminating.
More information for UI customers | More information for CL&P customers
United Illuminating Cool Choice Energy Efficiency Incentive Program
United Illuminating offers rebates of $70-200 per ton for the replacement of heat pumps and air conditioners with new high efficiency models.
Eligibilty:Commercial, industrial and agricultural customers of United Illuminating qualify for the rebates.
For more information, visit United Illuminating's website >>>
CBIA's Energy Connections
The Connecticut Business Industry Association can help you choose a third party to supply your company’s electricity or natural gas needs.
Eligibilty:CBIA memebers
For more information, visit CBIA's website >>>
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