The Register Citizen (Torrington, CT)
Connecticut Green Bank presents 2020 awards
ROCKY HILL — In recognition of their contributions to the deployment of clean energy and demonstrated leadership in their industries in 2020, the Connecticut Green Bank has announced the honorees of their annual PACEsetter Awards and the Smart-E Loan Top Performers. Since 2012, the Green Bank has supported the creation of more than 23,000 job years and over 50,000 clean energy projects, thanks to our network of contractors, interested home- and building owners, and lending partners.
PACEsetter Awards Recipients: The Connecticut Green Bank’s PACEsetter Awards acknowledge contractors, building owners and other stakeholders who are advancing the green energy movement through C-PACE, and whose leadership establishes a “pace” for others in their field to follow. The award winners are a driving force behind the success of the Green Bank’s Commercial Property Assessed Clean Energy (C-PACE) program, which has surpassed 330 closed loans and $184 million in total close project financing that are estimated to save $295 million in energy costs. These are the sixth annual PACEsetter Awards. The Green Bank acknowledged both contractors and building owners across multiple categories for their work in 2020: Outstanding Projects, 2020 West Lane Inn, a boutique 17-room inn in Ridgefield, and Eastern Mechanical Services, Inc. of Danbury, an HVAC contractor serving Fairfield County since 1985, for their project that removed an old oil heating system and replaced with efficient electric heat pumps that harness renewable energy (heat) from the environment, reducing costs and increasing guest comfort. This was the contractor’s first C-PACE project.
Con Edison Solutions and Bridgeport Islamic Community Center, for a 75 kW solar installation at the Community Center, a Purchase Power Agreement repaid through C-PACE, which is producing electricity and helping to reduce costs.
Omega Church in New Haven
and Complete Building and Mechanicals of Guilford, for an HVAC and lighting project — Complete Building and Mechanicals first C-PACE project — which will help the church maintain safe, healthy operations year-round; Marriot Residence Inn in Stamford, for a new construction project, “an outstanding example of the ability of C-PACE to support ground up new construction projects in the hospitality industry,” according to a statement; and Marcus Communications, for a first-of-its-kind C-PACE project at their communications tower in Bolton. Accelerating PACE, 2020: Verogy, a commercial solar developer headquartered in Hartford that has integrated C-PACE into their business model and became the first developer to offer their own C-PACEbacked Power Purchase Agreement, demonstrating a transformative approach to the market.
Smart-E Loan Top Performers
For 2020, the Green Bank is recognizing 17 Smart-E Loan Top Performers. In 2020, the Top Performers helped more than 250 families across Connecticut make home energy improvements – allowing them to save money, reduce their carbon footprint, and live more comfortably in their homes. The Smart-E Loan offers homeowners no money down, low-interest financing for more than 40 qualifying projects that reduce energy use and lower utility
costs. Since 2013, the Smart-E loan has enabled more than 4,000 families to make improvements with a projected lifetime energy cost savings over $70 million.
The 2020 Top Performers (in alphabetical order; * denotes 2019 Top Performer recognition): Absolute Air Services LLC* (Middletown), Benvenuti Oil* (Waterford), EcoSmart Home Services* (Berlin), Energy Unlimited, LLC (Bolton), Glasco Heating & Air Conditioning Inc* (South Windsor), Highland Window Co. (West Hartford), Home Comfort Heating and Cooling Solutions, LLC* (East Haven), Home Comfort Practice* (Stratford), Homestead Fuel and Energy Solutions (Ellington), King Energy, LLC (Willington), Link Mechanical Services Inc* (New Britain), Nutmeg Mechanical Services Inc* (Manchester), R&W Heating Energy Solutions LLC* (Salem), Ralph Mann & Sons Inc. (Ansonia), Ryan F. Murphy Heating & Cooling LLC* (New Milford), SolvIt Home Services* (Plainville), Viglione Heating & Cooling Inc* (East Haven).
For more information about the Connecticut Green Bank, visit www.ctgreenbank.com
Walgreens, Susan G. Komen partner to “Raise Hope, End Cancer”
Walgreens and Susan G. Komen have partnered together in the fight to end breast cancer. “The funds raised by this partnership support the future of breast cancer research and the support we are providing to people facing breast cancer today during this historic period of uncertainty and economic distress,” according to a statement.
Walgreens offers two ways for customers to donate to the “Raise Hope, End Cancer” fundraiser. During the months of February and March, shoppers may donate their Walgreens Cash rewards to the “Raise Hope, End Cancer” fundraiser directly from their myWalgreens account online or through the mobile app. Additionally, shoppers may visit stores until March 13 and make a pin-pad donation during checkout. All donations support those who need it today, while fearlessly searching for tomorrow’s cures. Learn more at https://komen.org
GHAR reports increase in single family home prices
HARTFORD — According to the Greater Hartford Association of Realtors, the median sale price of single family homes in Greater Hartford increased 20.72 percent (from $236,700 to $285,750), over January 2020. Closed sales increased 7.69 percent (from 416 to 448). Pending sales increased 5.42 percent (from 424 to 447) and new listings decreased 34.68 percent (from 617 to 403). Inventory dropped 51.69 percent (from 1921 to 928) and days on market decreased 43.42 percent (from 76 to 43 days) during this same timeframe.
Condominium closed sales increased 45.83 percent (from 96 to 140) over January of last year. The median sale price decreased 17.24 percent (from $153,450 to $179,900) and inventory decreased 32.79
percent (from 430 to 289). New listings decreased 25.86 percent (from 174 to 129) when compared to January of 2020.
“January showed the same strong housing numbers in our market that we’ve seen most of last year,” said GHAR CEO, Holly Callanan. “The continued demand is a good sign for those looking to sell. Involving a Realtor early in the process is an important first step,” she said.
In the national outlook, Lawrence Yun, National Association of Realtors chief economist, said: "Home sales rose in December, and for 2020 as a whole, we saw sales perform at their highest levels since 2006, despite the pandemic. What's even better is that this momentum is likely to carry into the new year, with more buyers expected to enter the market."
GHAR is largest local real estate trade association in Connecticut, serving over 4800 members in the Greater Hartford and Litchfield County real estate brokerage communities. The Association provides technology, training, networking and business support to members, and supports a healthy real estate market by upholding high professional and ethical standards through a Code of Ethics, ongoing education and certification programs. As the advocate for the real estate brokerage industry, GHAR is the Voice for Real Estate in the Northwest Connecticut and Greater Hartford regions. For more information, call 1.860.561.1800 or visit www.gharonline.com.