Metropolitan Mayors Caucus explains free Home Energy Savings Program for Chicago-area households

Tori Wolbright, energy efficiency outreach specialist for the Metropolitan Mayors Caucus, told residents the caucus is doing outreach for a utilities Home Energy Savings Program that offers free assessments and energy-saving products to qualifying Chicago-region households. "If you were to enroll in the home energy savings program, you would receive a free home energy savings assessment," Wolbright said, adding participants receive a customized report estimating annual energy and bill savings.

The program partners named by Wolbright are ComEd, Nicor Gas, North Shore Gas and Peoples Gas; the caucus began outreach in 2024. Wolbright said the service area covers 275 municipalities across a seven-county region and that the caucus assists utilities by connecting residents to the program.

There are two enrollment pathways. Income-eligible households — defined by Wolbright as at or below 80% of area median income — are eligible for an in-home assessment in which an energy adviser conducts a top-to-bottom review of insulation, HVAC, lighting, appliances and other energy uses and installs free products on site. For market-rate residents (those who do not provide income information or exceed eligibility), Wolbright said participants complete an online assessment and have recommended products shipped for self-installation. "Sometimes for the smart thermostats or more expensive products, there's a $20 co-pay," she said.

Wolbright listed typical free measures installed during assessments: smart and programmable thermostats, WaterSense-certified shower heads, faucet aerators, advanced power strips, LED bulbs, pipe insulation, door sweeps and furnace filters. After an assessment, participants receive a color-coded report showing which systems are efficient and which need improvement, a breakdown of installed products and an estimate of savings per product and in total.

If an in-home assessment indicates more extensive needs, Wolbright said income-eligible households can be referred to local community action agencies for programs such as LIHEAP or IWAP, or into the utilities’ weatherization/retrofit program where a contractor may perform a full home retrofit at no cost.

Wolbright walked attendees through enrollment details: the online form at eesavings.com/mmc takes about five to ten minutes and asks for contact information, address and an optional annual household income on an honor system to determine eligibility and schedule assessments. She said customers who prefer help can complete enrollment in person at her table after the presentation.

Addressing safety and fraud concerns, Wolbright emphasized advisers will not knock door-to-door, will visit only at scheduled appointment times, wear utility-branded clothing and arrive in utility-branded vehicles, and will not request utility bills or Social Security numbers. "If there are people doing that in your neighborhood, just be really careful," she said, suggesting residents verify visits by calling the utility.

Wolbright noted the caucus is also beginning outreach for ComEd’s whole-home electrification program and directed residents to ComEd’s online savings calculator to estimate potential savings from electrifying heating systems. On a technical question about equipment compatibility she advised an on-site electrician would confirm compatibility during an in-home visit.

The presentation concluded with Wolbright inviting attendees to examine sample products and seek help with enrollment at her table; she provided her email and phone for follow-up. Enrollment and program details are available at eesavings.com/mmc.