What Is the Home Assistance Program?

The Home Assistance Program is an effort to increase the energy efficiency of your own home.

It’s important for home and building owners to make their home more energy efficient because it helps to reduce the amount of greenhouse gasses being emitted into our atmosphere every day. The Home Assistance Program is provided by local electric utilities.

How to know if you’re Eligible for the Home Assistance Program

There are certain criteria people need to meet in order to be considered for the Home Assistance Program. You must either own, or be a tenant of a private social housing unit such as a duplex, townhome or mobile home. The building must be no higher than three stories and less than six hundred square meters.

Individuals renting or leasing must have permission from their landlord to participate in the Home Assistance Program. If a person qualifies to partake in the Home Assistance Program, the local electric utility will help their customers find simple ways to make their homes more energy efficient. Eligibility for this program all depends on the type of home you are living in and your annual income.

Financial Eligibility for the Home Assistance Program

In order to be considered for the Home Assistance Program, members of the household mustn’t exceed a certain dollar amount each year.

• 1 Person- $31,923
• 2 People- $39,744
• 3 People- $48,861
• 4 People- $59,322
• 5 People- $67,283
• 6 People- $75,882
• 7 or More-$84,484

Home Upgrades that make Homes More Energy Efficient

• Faucet Aerators
• Incandescent Lighting
• Programmable Thermostat
• Draft Proofing

More Ways to Make a Home More Energy Efficient

Make sure to have a clean air filter put into your furnace. A dirty air filter can cause your furnace to work harder which produces more energy. It is recommended to replace your air filter at lease every other month. If you make sure to keep your air ducts clean, it will reduce the amount of energy produced by your furnace.

Installing solar panels is another great way to make a home more energy efficient. Consider having a professional energy auditor come and evaluate your home. An energy auditor can pinpoint the areas of your home that are leaking energy. Your utility provider may even give you an evaluation for free if you qualify for the Home Assistance Program. Consider using ceiling fans rather than an air conditioner to cool your home during summer months.