TL/DR –
Beth Sorrell, a local clean energy navigator with Energy Funds For All, helps residents of North and South Carolina apply for programs such as Energy Saver North Carolina, which offers free or half price home energy efficiency improvements. Energy Saver North Carolina is a federal program run by the NC Department of Environmental Quality, and provides upgrades like insulation, HVAC, appliances, and electrical work for both homeowners and renters. Through this program, residents who earn 80% or less of the Area Median Income (AMI) can access up to $16,000 in home improvements, while those who earn between 80% and 150% AMI can receive 50% off the costs.
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Local Energy Navigator, Beth Sorrell, Aids Ashe County Residents with High Energy Costs
For those who are battling with high energy costs and are anxious about the forthcoming winter heating bills in Ashe County, relief is on the horizon, thanks to a local energy navigator, Beth Sorrell. Beth is part of Energy Funds For All, an initiative that helps individuals in North Carolina and South Carolina find financial assistance for energy costs.
Beth’s primary responsibility is to assist residents in applying for programs like Energy Saver North Carolina. This program, funded by the federal government under the Inflation Reduction Act, extends free or half-price energy efficiency improvements to low-to-moderate income residents. The NC Department of Environmental Quality manages this program, providing upgrades such as insulation, air sealing, HVAC, appliances, and electrical work.
Residents, whether owners or renters, can qualify for the same benefits via energysavernc.org.
Available Programs
Energy Saver North Carolina offers two main programs: the Homeowners Managing Energy Savings (HOMES) program and the Home Electrification and Appliance Rebates (HEAR) program.
Under the HOMES program, residents earning 80% or less of Area Median Income (AMI) can get up to $16,000 worth of home improvements. Meanwhile, residents earning between 80% AMI and 150% AMI can receive a 50% discount on energy efficiency expenses.
For instance, a two-person household in Ashe County with an income below $50,150 could get a rebate as high as $16,000 or 100% of the cost. If the same household has an income below $106,800, they could qualify for a 50% rebate. Income limits increase with the size of the household.
Approved applicants of the HOMES program will get a free home energy assessment, aimed at improving energy savings by at least 20%. These residents can then choose a contractor registered with the Energy Saver program to receive energy efficiency upgrades. Such upgrades can include sealing gaps and cracks around windows and doors, installing or replacing insulation, installing or replacing HVAC systems, replacing water heaters, and repairing electrical wiring.
Getting approved for the HOMES program also qualifies the applicants for the HEAR program. This program provides access to high-efficiency, Energy Star-certified appliances like electric stoves, heating and cooling systems, water heaters, and clothes dryers. Over time, these changes can help lower energy bills and improve home comfort and health.
The Energy Funds for All’s navigators, including Beth, are at your service, ready to answer queries and guide you through the application process. For FREE application support or to learn more, email info@energyfundsforall.org or call Beth at (336) 902-8611.
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