When Heating Your Home Consider These Resources

For most of us, the winter means an unmistakable need to heat our homes against nature’s onslaught of freezing winds, snow, slush, and ice. While there isn’t anything we can do to lower the prices of fuel and electricity, there are things we can do to help maximize the heat we use so that it doesn’t unknowingly go out the door, window, or chimney.
Did you know that the Orange County Energy program offers free workshops that can show you how to reduce your energy bills by using easy methods of finding and stopping the air leaks in your home? Click here to find an upcoming workshop in your area.

Another great tool you can use to evaluate your home heating efficiency is to have a home energy audit done. Orange County households that do not already qualify for a free energy audit through the Federal Home Heating Assistance Program (HEAP), may be eligible for a free or reduced cost professional energy audit through Green Jobs New York. A free energy audit is available for Orange County residents with an annual household income of less than $166,800 who have not already received a free or reduced cost audit. A reduced cost energy audit is available for residents with an annual household income greater than $166,800, but less than $333,600. Click here to learn how you can conduct a simple home energy audit yourself.

Did you know that there are many resources available to help low-income residents who are struggling to pay their heat bills?
• New York State has a Weatherization Assistance Program that helps income eligible residents reduce their heating costs through energy efficient improvements like sealing air leaks through caulking and weather stripping, wall and ceiling insulation, heating system repairs or replacement, and more.
• The Federal Home Heating Assistance Program (HEAP) offers financial assistance for low-income residents to pay for regular or emergency heating expenses, and/or heating equipment repair or replacement.
• The Orange County Fuel Fund offers a one-time heating benefit for low-income residents who do NOT qualify for HEAP.

Orange County United Way is all about neighbors helping neighbors so if you have some helpful home heating tips, please feel free to share them here. You can also feel free to tell us about your experiences with any of these programs.