The Main State Housing Authority provides a variety of programs to help low income families afford the costs of winter heating. Working with the federal government’s Liheap program, Maine also utilizes a variety of state-based initiatives as well as Department of Energy grants programs to make winter heating bills more affordable for low income families in the state.
One of the most prominent state programs is the Appliance Replacement Program, which is operated by the Maine Public Utilities Commission in coordination with Efficiency Main. the program aims to help lower energy bills by providing grants to weatherize homes, including integrating Energy Star appliances in lieu of older, less efficient options. As a result, many households are able to lower their energy costs by up to a third based upon substitution of energy efficient appliances.
Working with the Department of Health and Human Services, the state allocates Liheap fuel grants to families whose income is less than 230% of federal poverty standards (or 3/4 of the state median income.) Additionally, at-risk families above these thresholds can qualify for emergency assistance, especially for families at risk of losing their energy sources. The state allocates the grants on an annual basis to applicants, and the local Maine Housing Authority office can work to ensure you are getting the most of the programs’ offerings.
A prominent program that aims to improve energy efficient in homes, CHIP (or the Central Heating Improvement Program) provides grants to low-income households to repair or replace home heating systems. By integrating a more energy efficient system, low income families can lower the costs and risk from losing energy during the cold winter months in the State.
For families looking to upgrade or move to an energy efficient home, the Main Home Energy Loan Program, or HELP, provides low interest loans to help finance weatherization, home energy audits, window replacements and home repairs. With an aim of improving the efficiency of energy systems, the Energy Star certified program can help households lower their energy bills up to 1/4 relative to their previous standing.
