When the wind kicks up in Connecticut, your home tells on itself. That chilly back bedroom, the draft along the baseboards, the cold floor over the garage—these are classic signs that outside air is slipping through small gaps you can’t see. A Home Energy Solutions℠ (HES) assessment shines a light on those leaks, measures how much air your home is losing, and delivers quick comfort gains with targeted sealing the same day.
Now is also a smart time to schedule: HES is a utility‑sponsored program in CT designed to lower energy use and improve comfort, and an assessment includes on‑the‑spot improvements plus a written plan for next‑step upgrades like insulation, duct sealing, and efficient heating/cooling.
Before any diagnostic work, technicians complete health and safety testing to make sure your home is safe to tighten. That includes combustion safety checks and CO readings on heating equipment, a look for presumed mold, potential asbestos or vermiculite concerns that would change the work plan, and a gas‑leak check so nothing hazardous is overlooked. These safeguards align with industry best practice for weatherization and CT program protocols that require safety clearance before sealing.
A calibrated fan mounts in an exterior doorway to gently depressurize the home. This highlights where outside air is sneaking in—around window/door frames, attic penetrations, rim joists, and plumbing or electrical openings. Pros may also use infrared imaging or smoke to help visualize the pathways. The blower door provides a before reading of your home’s leakage and then a post‑work reading to show how much tighter things got after sealing.
After diagnostics, the crew performs prioritized air sealing. Typical measures include caulk or foam at accessible gaps and penetrations, weatherstripping where it’s missing or worn, and installing door sweeps to cut drafts at thresholds. Note: air sealing is not performed while the blower door is running—the door is used for diagnostics and then for verification after the work, not simultaneously with sealing.
If needed, your team may add pipe insulation, low‑flow showerheads, and faucet aerators. These are straightforward steps that reduce hot‑water waste without changing how you use your home.
You’ll leave the visit with a plan tailored to your home—often calling out attic or wall insulation, advanced duct sealing, and, where appropriate, right‑sized heat pumps or water heating. The plan includes available Connecticut rebates and financing options, so you can schedule spring projects with clear costs and timelines.
Program offerings, rebates, and rules do evolve. In 2026, CT’s utility‑sponsored HES program continues to provide an in‑home assessment, on‑the‑spot weatherization measures, and a personalized report with recommended next steps and incentive pathways. Always check current rebate requirements (for example, certain heat‑pump incentives require registered installers and pre‑registration before install).
Note: If you’re researching other pathways such as income‑eligible weatherization, those are offered through utility and state partners—not by Homestead Comfort. For this blog, we’ve focused on the standard HES service that Homestead provides. (If you need guidance on where to apply for those outside programs, we can point you to the right resources.)
A tighter home is more comfortable, quieter, and cleaner. Reducing uncontrolled air movement cuts cold drafts, helps manage moisture, and keeps dust and outdoor pollutants from riding in on the wind. Your heating system doesn’t have to fight the outdoors, which reduces energy use and wear and tear—benefits confirmed by DOE guidance on air sealing and blower‑door‑guided diagnostics.
Will you check for things like mold, asbestos, vermiculite, or gas leaks?
Yes. The visit begins with health and safety screening. If we suspect mold or identify materials like asbestos or vermiculite, or find a gas leak, we’ll pause sealing and outline next steps so the issue can be addressed safely.
Do you install door gaskets as part of the visit?
No. We don’t install gaskets. Typical same‑day measures include targeted sealing, weatherstripping, and door sweeps to reduce threshold drafts.
Is air sealing done while the blower door is running?
No. We use the blower door for diagnostics first, complete the sealing work, and then use the blower door again to verify the improvement.
What happens after the visit?
You’ll receive a written plan with recommended upgrades—insulation, duct sealing, equipment options—and Connecticut rebates/financing that fit your home and goals.