Elgin teams with utility companies for rebates

City of Elgin homeowners will have a chance at $2,500 in energy efficiency upgrades for free, thanks to a new partnership between the city, Nicor and ComEd.

The two utility companies already offer a home energy assessment to their customers for $49 with instant rebates when homeowners make the recommended improvements. The Home Energy Savings Program rebates are for half of the project cost, up to $1,250, but Elgin City Council members voted last week to match the rebate with Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant funds.

The federal money must be spent by October and the new partnership sets aside $25,000 for Elgin residents to make the home improvements — meaning about 20 families can benefit.

Aaron Cosentino, sustainability coordinator for Elgin, said the program is being launched at the Green Expo, May 4 and 5 at The Centre, and interested residents should sign up there. The program is actually run by Nicor and ComEd, but to be guaranteed to get Elgin reimbursements residents must sign up with the city first.

Cosentino said the greatest part about the program is that energy savings can come with little effort on the part of residents. The Home Energy Savings Program includes installation of up to 10 compact fluorescent light bulbs, high efficiency faucet aerators, shower heads and hot water pipe wrap.

“After the initial installation of an LED light bulb or faucet aerator, homeowners can run their appliances the same amount but end up using less,” Cosentino said. “These items are great first steps toward conservation and energy efficiency.”

Energy savings kits will be available at the Green Expo, also funded by the block grants. Elgin received just more than $1 million in 2009 and has used the funds for the Center City Retrofit Program and Energy Efficiency Revolving Loans.

For details on the Expo, which runs from 1 to 8 p.m. May 4 and 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. May 5, visit cityofelgin.org/green.