New Jersey's Clean Energy Program

Recognized as a national model, this statewide program offers financial incentives, programs, and services for residential, commercial, and municipal customers to save energy, money, and the environment. Financial assistance is available for efforts that will promote increased energy efficiency and support the installation of clean, renewable sources of energy. Learn more about how you can reduce overall energy consumption, contribute to climate change solutions, and save money here.

Home Performance with ENERGY STAR®

The Home Performance with ENERGY STAR, is just one of the programs brought to you by the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities and New Jersey's Clean Energy Program. It offers "whole house' solutions to reduce both your energy costs and carbon footprint. If you are eligible, you may be able to take advantage of financial incentives that will lead to increased comfort, safety, and durability of your home.

The service starts with an assessment of your home by specially trained and certified technicians who will assess your home from top to bottom, testing heating and cooling equipment; insulation levels; air sealing opportunities; windows and doors; and appliances and lighting. The cost of this assessment varies among technicians but is required to be considered for low interest loans, tax credits and savings if the technician makes the recommended energy-saving changes.

Financial incentives are based upon the percentage of energy savings that are projected if the work is completed. These savings include fall promotion discounts which bring savings as high as $5,000 if the project is enrolled in the Home Performance Program before December 31, 2011. Homeowners may also be eligible for 0% interest financing (up to $10,000) for home energy savings projects.

Funding is also available for oil, propane and municipal electric customers who choose to participate in HPwES program. The funding is available until June 30, 2012 (project completion paperwork must be submitted by that day) or until funds last, whichever comes first.

Visit NJ Clean Energy Website or call 866-NJSMART to learn more and get started.

See 2011 NJ HPwES Customer Incentives and Requirements.

To be eligible for savings and applicable tax credits Work Scope Approval must be processed by December 31, 2011.

Rebates and Promotions

New Jersey's Clean Energy Program offers many rebates for those who are buying energy-saving heating and cooling equipment and appliances for their home including gas furnaces, gas boilers, water heaters, clothes washers, refrigerators, freezers, central air conditioners and ductless mini-split A/C systems, air-to-air heat pumps and ENERGY STAR lighting. In some cases a $50 rebate and free pick-up of old freezers and refrigerators in working order is available. To arrange for a free pick-up call 877-270-3520. Learn more about the Refrigerator/Freezer Recycling Program.

The 2011 rebates available through the WARMAdvantage Program when NJ residents purchase eligible furnaces or boilers, range from $300 to $400 incentive savings. Units must be purchased no later than June 15, 2012 and applications postmarked by June 30, 2012. The propane and oil portion of the program will be terminated earlier if State Energy Program funds are exhausted prior to June 30, 2012. Learn more about these savings and access a list of eligible equipment. Call 866-NJSMART (866-657-6278) for further information.

Simple Things You Can Do to Save Energy and Money

Cold temperatures bring an increased demand for heat as people strive to stay warm. Here are some simple things that you can do to reduce your consumption of fuel and still stay warm this winter.

Lower your thermostat Set your thermostat as low as is comfortable. For every degree you lower the thermostat, you can save 3% on your heating bill. Turn down your thermostat by 5-10 degrees at bedtime. It is healthier to sleep in a cool room and you will save money on your utility bill.

Take showers instead of baths Bathing uses more hot water in most households – up to 25 gallons more. Keep your showers to 5 minutes in length and you will see a cost savings this winter.

Keep warm air inside Make sure your windows are properly closed and locked. Open your shades and curtains in the daytime to let in that natural solar heat (sunshine) and close them at night to keep residual warmth in your home.

Seal holes and cracks around windows, doors and walls You may be able to save 10% or more on your heating bill by caulking and weather stripping these areas to prevent cold air from getting in. Close off vents or registers in rooms that are not in use and then close the door to those rooms so that colder air will not travel to parts of your home that are in use.

Keep your garage door closed If your garage is attached to your home, you must be sure to keep the door closed so that warm air from your home does not escape and cold air from the garage doesn’t’ travel into your home.

Make sure heating vents are not blocked Take a look around your home and move any furniture that is positioned in front of vents that supply or return air to the furnace. This will help your whole heating system run more efficiently.

Increase insulation in your attic, crawl spaces and basement Since heat rises, adding insulation to your attic is one of the most effective ways to conserve energy.

Clean or change you furnace filter regularly Air must go through this filter in order to heat your home. If the filter is dirty then your furnace will have to work harder than it should. Dirty filters also increase the amount of dust that is pushed back into your home.

Read more energy saving tips here.

Pick up the phone and dial 2-1-1 when you need help.
You are encouraged to dial “2-1-1” 24 hours a day, seven days a week if you need help in understanding and finding available assistance services.  Language translation and TTY services are offered to any caller.  You can also search the database of services in your local community or Chat Live with an experienced community resource specialist. 2-1-1 will help identify with you the best local resources to fit your individual needs during times of financial distress or for life’s everyday situations.

If you know of additional resources that would be appropriate to include, please let us know by contacting us via e-mail at info@nj211.org.

Page last modified 11.3.11