Easton Utilities and Habitat for Humanity Choptank have teamed up to help low- and moderate-income homeowners improve energy efficiency and lower their monthly utility bills. Funded by the Maryland Energy Administration’s (MEA) 2015 EmPower Clean Energy Communities Low to Moderate Income (LMI) grant, the “Power Up Easton” initiative will deploy up to $170,000 in cost-effective energy efficiency measures that may include air duct sealing, appliance replacement, insulation, HVAC replacement and window replacement.
“Supporting projects that improve the health and well-being of all Maryland residents while saving energy and money reinforces the MEA mission of promoting affordable, reliable, clean energy,” said A. Leigh Williams, Esq., Director of MEA. “We are pleased to partner once again with Habitat Choptank and Easton Utilities to build a stronger and more resilient Eastern Shore.”
“Improving energy efficiency reduces energy demand and saves customers significantly in monthly utility costs,” said Geoff Oxnam, Vice President of Operations, Easton Utilities. “Teaming up with Habitat for Humanity allows us to leverage support for a greater number of customers.”
“Often, the people who would benefit most from energy upgrades are least able to afford them,” said Rhodana Fields, project manager for Habitat Choptank. “Partnering to improve energy efficiency is a vital part of creating affordable, sustainable housing in our local communities. Energy efficiency improvements are important to the ongoing mission of building simple, decent, affordable housing.”
Participants in the Power Up Easton program will receive a home energy audit by a certified auditor who will identify weatherization and HVAC upgrades appropriate for each home. Based on the audit, certified contractors will install the upgrades. The Power Up Easton program will fund upgrades of up to $5,000 per home for projects not involving a heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system replacement and a maximum of $8,000 per home for a project involving an HVAC system replacement. Power Up Easton will fund 100% of the project costs.
To be considered for participation in the program, prospective low- to moderate-income homeowners should visit www.eastonutilities.com/powerup.aspx email [email protected] or call (410) 819-3412. Participants must be Talbot County homeowners.
LMI households are defined as those that earn less than 85% of the County median Income, which for Talbot is $79,800. A family of four must earn less than $67,850 to be considered moderate income and less than $47,880 to be considered low income. Applications will be reviewed and awarded on a first-come, first-served basis and projects funded up to the limit of the funds available from the Maryland Energy Administration.
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