Sep. 16--TORRINGTON, Conn. -- Craig Snyder may be president of Waterbury-based home heating oil distributor Wesson Energy Inc., but he still wants to help his customers use less oil.

Tuesday, Snyder and other Wesson employees began a public education campaign called "Close the Gap!" to promote the Home Energy Solutions program, a state and federally funded program offering homeowners a comprehensive assessment for just $75 that could uncover thousands of dollars in energy cost savings.

The education program kicked off Tuesday with a presentation at the Northwest Connecticut Chamber of Commerce at 333 Kennedy Drive, with about 15 chamber members in attendance.

"The average home wastes 58 percent of its energy -- two-thirds of your heat goes out the door every year," Snyder told the gathering. "There are 130 million homes in the United States, and 75 percent could be made more energy efficient."

Any homeowner is eligible to participate. For the $75 fee, you receive a home energy audit worth at least $850.

A team of certified energy efficiency experts -- from one of nine companies, including Wesson, that are certified by the state -- will conduct the audit, which can take from 2 1/2 to 4 1/2 hours. The experts will set up a "blower door" test to depressurize a home and help identify major air leaks, and then seal them. They also will look at the energy efficiency of all major appliances, using a power meter to determine how much electricity each appliance consumes; measure the flow rates from all faucets and shower heads; measure the airflow through ductwork and inspect insulation, and inspect the efficiency of all heating and cooling equipment.

The program also provides for installing up to 14 compact fluorescent light bulbs.

"The bulbs alone are worth $75," Snyder said.

The audit concludes with the experts offering a report on what they found and recommendations for ways to save -- including offering information on tax credits for making energy-efficient home improvements such as replacing windows or doors, and on rebates for buying Energy Star-rated appliances. The rebates can also be doubled if the appliances are purchased within 45 days of the audit.

Federal tax credits and rebates, however, are available only through the end of 2010, Snyder said.

Mitch Gross, spokesman for Connecticut Light & Power Co., said the Home Energy Solutions program initially was offered only to homeowners who heat with electricity or natural gas.