Published: Sunday June 20, 2010 @ 12:00 pm
Company’s goal is to find ways for residents to conserve energy
Meriden-Two factors drive people to rethink their oil, gas and electricity consumption – price and the season, said Douglas Cahill, a co-partner with Competitive Resources, Inc.
But “the disaster in the Gulf is changing attitudes” Cahill said. “And (electric) bills have never been as high as they are now”.
Summer isn’t typically a big conservation season, because while people aren’t using oil to power their air conditioners, they are using electricity, primarily generated by oil-refined gasoline.
A prevailing attitude for years has been “if I can afford it,” there is no compelling need to change consumption habits, Cahill said.
It remains to be seen whether the rogue oil will spewing thousands of barrels of oil per day into the Gulf of Mexico will cause large scale behavior changes, Cahill said. But it might nudge some who haven’t thought much about it before.
“It’s ever increasing,” said Craig Clark, the Home Energy Solutions Program administrator for Connecticut Light & Power Co. “We have segmentation. Some just want to save money, and some are just the people who want to reduce their carbon footprint. It grows a lot when pelicans turn icky with oil. It’s also not just the environment, but our reliance on foreign countries because we’re stuck on foreign oil.”
Competitive Resources, Inc., 60 Church St., is one of 18 vendors statewide that contract with the state’s utility companies to conduct energy audits on residences to conserve fuel and electricity.
The energy solutions program is funded through the Connecticut Energy Efficiency Fund.
The audits include identifying and plugging leads, duct testing and sealing, air flow measurement, installation of compact fluorescent light bulbs, installing water and hot water saving measures and overall appliance checkups. Homeowner education is also a key component.
A conservation charge on resident electric bills created the Connecticut Energy Efficiency Fund, leaving a $75 cost to the homeowner. Program advocates say the savings generate an average of $250 annually, over three or four years and federal grant money has gone to offset some of the $75 fee in some municipalities.
Competitive Resources, Inc. has been in business, though not always with the same name, since the late 1980’s, and at one time was among three companies that participated in the home energy audit program. Today there are more than 100 companies waiting to join their ranks.
“A lot of trades have slowed down, including construction.” Clark said. “This is a growing industry and trade.”
These are green jobs, Cahill said, whose own employment roster consists of 26 field technicians who conduct the audits, several inspectors, coordinators and support staff. The company assists homeowners in finding contractors or retailers to conduct more in-depth work or replace inefficient appliances, but it doesn’t profit on these services.
It will accept a finder’s fee and later inspects the contractor’s work. But for the most part, Competitive Resources remains independent, something that Cahill believes adds value to its service.
A new loan program is helping homeowners afford to upgrade to energy-efficient appliances and services through low-interest rates for smaller jobs and zero-interest rates on larger projects.
“We want them to take the next step,” Cahill said. “Now they can afford it.”
Competitive Resources is the only company that works with all state utility companies and towns, such as Wallingford, that purchase electricity through a cooperative. It is also linked to some municipalities that receive federal stimulus funds to conduct energy audits on buildings and will pay to reduce the $75 fee to homeowners that participate.
One of the benefits of teaming with municipalities is that it gives homeowners a sense of trust in the program. Competitive Resources also has partnerships with Sierra Club, church programs, and companies such as Pratt & Whitney, where company representatives make presentations and gain referrals.
“When we show them, we get almost 100 percent signups.” Cahill said.
But it’s best marketing tool is work of mouth, Clark and Cahill said.
“About 80 percent is from a friend” Clark said. “For every job we do well, it spawns three or four more.”
Clark said the energy solutions program looks to contract with companies that have a good history of providing service, and customers feel comfortable inviting its representatives into their homes.
“Competitive Resources is a name that has been around for a while,” Clark said. “Most of the main players in the company have been doing this for a long time for a variety of programs, but mainly in residential.”
Its earnings have fluctuated from $1 million to $5 million annually during its existence. Last year, Competitive Resources had its best year ever at $5 million, but doesn’t see 2010 reaching that amount.
Although many of the energy-saving programs were designed for gas and electric heat use, about 60 percent of New England homeowners and multi-family homes heat with oil. Despite some technological advances, that percentage isn’t expected to change anytime soon.
This makes an expansion into nearby states a logical growth plan.
Competitive Resources marketing contacts will be meeting with municipal and business representatives from other states to generate leads and grow the business across state lines.
“We promote renewable solar hot water, solar electric and what’s available through tax credits and through the low-interest loan program.” Cahill said.
The company also consults with builders on energy efficiency in new construction, but the new home industry has slowed.
The market is in educating residents on existing technologies and helping upgrade homes. It’s also a step away from fossil fuel dependence.
If some of the funding spent on oil companies or raised in taxes “could be translated into the renewable,” changes could come, but not too soon, he said.
“The paybacks are a ways down the road.” Cahill said.
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