CCI is privileged to work with most of the public utilities in Southwestern Pennsylvania providing a variety of services that meet the unique needs of each. CCI specializes in managing and in some cases implementing programs targeted to low-income customers of these utilities, such as:
- Low Income Usage Reduction Programs
- Emergency Repair Programs (ERP)
- Education and Conservation Kit Distribution Programs
Increasingly, utilities are developing efficiency programs available to all of their rate payers. Once again, CCI is playing a pivotal role in defining and implementing these programs in conjunction with our utility partners.
Following are descriptions of the utility programs that CCI is involved with on a day-to-day basis:
Duquesne Light Company
Smart Comfort, part of their Universal Services program, is Duquesne Light's low income usage reduction program. The goal of Smart Comfort is to provide free usage reduction measures to lower the electric bill of qualified customers. CCI manages and implements Smart Comfort which typically serves between 3,500 and 4,000 customers each year.
CCI program coordinators first establish a customer's eligibility to participate in the program and then schedule a home energy audit that is conducted by a CCI "Energy Assessor". Energy Assessors measure usage of targeted electrical equipment to investigate potential areas of savings, install energy reducing measures such as compact fluorescent bulbs, provide education and referrals to other Community Resources. CCI is proud to have provided services in conjunction with the Smart Comfort program since 1988.
Columbia Gas of Pennsylvania
Audits & Rebates is Columbia Gas' latest energy efficiency program, targeted to residential heating customers earning between 151 – 250% of the
Federal Poverty Guidelines. The program helps customers to reduce their natural gas use by providing the following services and incentives:
- A free whole-house energy audit and written report performed by a Building Performance Institute (BPI) certified auditor. (a $400 value)
- If appropriate, installation of a free programmable thermostat. (a $100 value)
- Announcing Increased Incentives for 2012
- Columbia Gas recently increased the financial incentives available to Audits & Rebates customers from $850 to $1,800! Rebates are designed to encourage customers to install the measures (air sealing / insulation) and appliances (heating equipment / water heating equipment) recommended by the energy auditor. Rebates are paid directly to contractors, reducing the out of pocket charges to the customer.
- A free post-weatherization inspection of the home. This helps to ensure the quality and safety of the measures and appliances installed on behalf of the homeowner. (a $100 value)
For more information or to see if you qualify, call toll free: 1-866-956-0308
ERP is Columbia Gas' Emergency Repair Program that provides assistance to low-income customers experiencing a supply gas line or primary heating appliance failure. CCI responds to customer inquiries, verifies eligibility and dispatches plumbers and/or HVAC contractors to address these urgent situations.
Warm Choice is a free weatherization program that first identifies an energy picture of a customer's home and then takes action to seal up areas where heat escapes. The program is designed for customers with low incomes and high gas usage and strives to help the customer to better manage energy use and gas heating costs by reducing natural gas consumption. CCI provides post-weatherization inspection services to Columbia to ensure that work implemented by weatherization contractors was completed to Columbia's quality standards.
Equitable Gas Company
Equitable Gas Company and Duquesne Light Company have partnered to create an "interutility" energy audit program that combines the services provided to their mutual Low Income Usage Reduction Program (LIURP) participants. In a single visit, a CCI energy auditor identifies all of the the benefits available for their mutual customer thereby reducing customer inconvenience while maximizing both electric and gas energy savings. Equitable Gas' program assists eligible customers to reducing energy bills through the installation of various energy conservation measures identified by an energy auditor. Click
here to see if you qualify for this program, or call Equitable Gas at
412-395-3254.
SAVER – Smart Audit Valuable Energy Rebates
SAVER - Smart Audit Valuable Energy Rebates is a new and innovative three-year program recently launched by Equitable Gas that provides Equitable Gas heating customers with information and financial incentives designed to make energy efficiency improvements more affordable. CCI's auditors provide a free walk-through energy audit that identifies savings opportunities and presents recommendations for specific efficiency measures.
For more information or to see if you qualify, call CCI toll free at
1-855-676-8347 or visit the
Equitable SAVER website.
Pennsylvania American Water Company
CCI manages and implements the education and conservation portions of Pennsylvania American Water Company's
Help to Others low-income program that provides three services for qualified water customers:
- One-time grants of up to $500 to be used toward a household's water bill
- A 65 percent discount on the monthly service fee (this is separate from the volumetric charge)
- Water-saving devices and education
A CCI water conservation expert works with the customer to gain a better understanding of their unique situation, assessing family size, the need for professional plumbing assistance and water saving measures (faucet aerator, shower head, toilet tummy, etc.) appropriate for their home. Our Conservation Program Manager additionally works and trains community based organizations to provide localized assistance to customers.
For more information, or to see if you qualify, contact American Water's grant program administrator, Dollar Energy Fund, toll free at
1-888-282-6816.
Peoples Natural Gas
CCI provides administrative services for Peoples Gas
low-income usage reduction program. CCI program coordinators schedule weatherization contractors to inspect and implement energy reduction measures for income-eligible customers.
CCI provides program management for Peoples Gas Emergency Repair Program. The program provides assistance to low-income customers experiencing supply gas line or primary heating appliance failure. CCI responds to customer inquiries, verifies eligibility and dispatches plumbers and/or HVAC contractors to address these urgent situations. To see if you qualify, please call Peoples Natural Gas at
1-800-764-0111 and reference the Emergency Repair Program.
T.W. Phillips Gas Company
CCI provides administrative services and audits for T.W. Phillips Gas Company's
Wise Choice Weatherization Program. CCI program coordinators schedule energy auditors and weatherization contractors to inspect and implement energy reduction measures for income-eligible customers.