When Ernestine, a PSE&G customer in Willingboro, New Jersey, first heard about our Home Weatherization program, she wasn’t sure what to expect. “At first, I didn’t believe a utility company would help me manage my energy bill. It sounded almost too good to be true,” she admits.
The challenges of an aging home
Ernestine and her family live in a house that’s over 60 years old. Like most older homes, it’s seen increasing issues as it ages, with failing or inefficient heating and cooling systems, poor or dated insulation and drafty doors and windows. While the previous owner made some updates to the home before Ernestine’s family purchased it in 2003, the central air conditioning stopped working a few years after they moved in. With quotes coming in at around $10,000, fixing it on their own felt out of reach.
Their solution? Window air conditioning units. Lots of them. “We had air conditioners in every room,” Ernestine recalls.
For two people in their sixties, wrestling heavy window air-conditioning units in and out each season became increasingly challenging.
Making matters more complicated, Ernestine’s husband is legally blind. Energy costs were a constant concern, especially since lights need to stay on for her husband’s visibility.
“Every dollar matters with our household budget. And given our needs and the condition of our home, my energy bill was hundreds of dollars each month.”
A friendly recommendation changes everything
The turning point for Ernestine came during a hair appointment when she saw workers making efficiency upgrades to her hairdresser’s home studio. After learning about our Home Weatherization Program, she decided to take the leap.
“Gathering the documents needed to apply wasn’t hard, so I just decided to do it,” she said. To participate in the Home Weatherization Program, customers are asked to provide income verification or proof of assistance.
The initial visit brought immediate welcome improvements to Ernestine’s home. A certified energy adviser inspected the attic and equipment, walked her through a checklist of recommended improvements and installed energy-efficient LED lightbulbs and faucet aerators at no cost.
Following the initial assessment, Ernestine received a follow-up phone call where she learned that her family had the opportunity to receive a new central air conditioner, additional insulation and a high-efficiency furnace and hot water heater— all installed at no cost. Ernestine was thrilled.
Comfort that changes daily life
The impact on Ernestine and her family’s day‑to‑day life has been dramatic. In the summer, she can now enjoy consistent, whole‑home cooling without wrestling window units in and out of second‑story windows. In the winter, rooms that were once too cold — like the craft room where she winds down after caring for her family — are now cozy refuges.
Perhaps most significant is the cost Ernestine didn’t have to shoulder. The total value of the project was more than $30,000, an amount she says she could never have paid upfront. Instead of taking on decades of debt, she kept that money in her pocket, freeing up resources in a tight household budget. Ernestine is also able to better manage her monthly energy costs as a result of the energy-efficient upgrades.
The community ripple effect
Ernestine is so thrilled with the results that she’s become a champion for the program. Her neighbor recently had work done, and Ernestine continues spreading the word.
I tell everybody about this program … it really does work.”
-Ernestine, PSE&G customer
And when friends visit, she leads them straight to the laundry room to show off her new systems.
For anyone considering the program who may be a bit hesitant, Ernestine’s advice is simple: “Look what happened. If I hadn’t done it, I’d be still putting air conditioning units in our windows.”
For families across New Jersey, energy efficiency programs like our Home Weatherization Program offer the same opportunity — turning drafty, inefficient houses into safer, more comfortable homes, while potentially freeing up resources for what matters most to customers.
To learn more about our portfolio of residential energy efficiency programs and see what you might qualify for, visit pseg.com/HomeEnergy.
