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Celebrate Earth Day
with the UI Home Energy Challenge

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What is the UI Home Energy Challenge – 
Earth Day Edition?

The UI Home Energy Challenge is a program for families with K-12 students living in an UI Connecticut town. This fun and easy project invites students to learn about passive & active solar technology and construct a solar water heater. All materials needed to participate in the UI Home Energy Challenge are included in the kit provided by UI.

Once registered, we will provide students with one kit per family that includes the materials needed and a guide on how to complete the tasks in the UI Home Energy Challenge. Each kit is limited to a total of (4) registered students per household and all work must be completed individually.

What is in the UI Home Energy Challenge kit?

  • Black paper
  • Black tubing length
  • Squeeze bottle
  • Two foam cups
  • Two binder clips
  • Thermometer

What will the students learn?

The UI Home Energy Challenge and accompanying lessons is about home energy conservation and efficiency will engage families in learning about the energy they use at home. Using the lessons and tools provided by UI, families will learn about passive & active solar technology and construct a solar water heater!

Families are encouraged to share photos during the UI Home Energy Challenge by posting photos of them working on their projects on their parents’ social media channels (Facebook, X, Instagram) using #UIHomeEnergyChallenge, and tagging us @UnitedIlluminating*

*Posting on social media doesn’t increase your chances of winning.

Eligible Towns

The UI Home Energy Challenge is open to all families with K-12 students in towns served by UI in Connecticut (see “List of Eligible Communities,” below).

Rules, Registration & Project Guide

Registration for the UI Home Energy Challenge runs from March 31, 2025, at 12:01 a.m. ET – April 24, 2025 at 11:59 p.m. ET..
For more information, email info@homeenergychallengeUI.com or call 1-800-674-8243 X4.

There is no Judging

All completed projects that follow the rules & instructions have a chance to win!

Parents can register their kids using the form below. They will then receive a confirmation email with project and submission instructions.

Prizes

Three winners will be selected to win one of three Amazon gift cards:

One $350 Amazon gift card
One $200 Amazon gift card
One $100 Amazon gift card

Registration

Register for the Home Energy Challenge

Registration for the UI Home Energy Challenge runs from March 31, 2025, at 12:01 a.m. ET – April 24, 2025 at 11:59 p.m. ET. A parent or guardian 18 years or older must register students. After your registration has been received, you will receive an email explaining the submission instructions. For additional information or questions, email info@homeenergychallengeUI.com.

Submission

After your registration has been received, you will receive an email explaining the submission instructions.

1. Complete the project included in the kit
2. Take a photo of students working on the project and post on social using provided hashtag
3. Email or mail final form to be entered to win – include photos with the final form

Task Entries and Entry Forms must be received no later than April 30, 2025, at 11:59:59 PM ET.

Email: info@homeenergychallengeUI.com

Mail:
UI Home Energy Challenge

ATTN: Joseph Pymm
P.O. Box 206
Fairfield, CT 06824

Share Your Results on Social Media! 

Families are encouraged to share photos during the UI Home Energy Challenge by posting photos of them working on their projects on their parents’ social media channels (Facebook, X, Instagram) using #UIHomeEnergyChallenge, and tagging us @UnitedIlluminating*

*Posting on social media doesn’t increase your chances of winning. 

FAQ

  • The UI Home Energy Challenge is a program for families with K-12 students living in an UI community. The UI Home Energy Challenge invites students to measure the difference in energy usage between an LED bulb and an incandescent bulb. All materials needed to participate in the UI Home Energy Challenge are included in the kit.

Energize Connecticut programs are funded by a charge on customer energy bills.