Notes

Energy Care For Low Income Families
Energy care provides vital services to help low-income families save money on their home energy bills, stay safe in their homes and enjoy a better quality of life. Energy efficiency upgrades, such as insulation, weather stripping, air sealing, and door and window insulation can reduce a family’s energy burden, which is the percentage of their income that goes to paying home energy costs. These programs make a significant difference for households experiencing energy insecurity, which often have to choose between paying for their energy bill or purchasing food and medicine.

Saving energy helps the environment by reducing our dependence on fossil fuels that create air pollution and greenhouse gases, harming people and animals. Energy efficient homes and buildings are also better equipped to switch to renewable energy, which does not produce these harmful emissions. In addition, reducing energy consumption reduces stress on the electric grid and prevents power disruptions, particularly for vulnerable communities.

Many state, utility, and third-party programs offer assistance with home energy efficiency for low income families, such as CARE and LIDP offered by investor-owned utilities or REACH by community choice energy programs. Participants can confirm their household income eligibility and contact a program to schedule an in-home energy visit, based on their home location, to identify what upgrades would improve their comfort, health and savings.

The benefits of energy efficiency extend beyond home-owners and can include improved workplace performance for businesses and organizations. A recent study showed that workers in more energy efficient buildings had less fatigue and headaches, and were able to concentrate more, leading to higher productivity and overall job satisfaction.

Getting started with your own home energy efficiency improvements is easy and can be as simple as turning off lights and electronics when they are not in use, using fans to cool the house in summer and warmer blankets in winter, and making sure that water heater and hot water pipes are well-insulated. For Énergéticienne à Montréjeau who need further help, the CARE Program is available to provide an electricity discount of 30%-35% and a natural gas discount of 20% for households that meet income guidelines and participate in select public assistance programs administered by PG&E.
Website: https://sacree-jule.fr/soins-energetiques