The Energy Affordability Program is a Save on Energy initiative designed to help low-income families pay their energy bills. The program will provide monthly payments to help these families cover the cost of heating and cooling their homes. In addition, the program will also assist in paying for home repairs that will improve the energy efficiency of these homes. The program’s goal is to help low-income families reduce their energy bills and improve their quality of life.
This blog post will guide you through the eligibility requirements and application process for the Energy Affordability Program.
What Is the Energy Affordability Program, and How Does it Work?
The Energy Affordability Program assists income-eligible power customers in lowering their monthly electricity bills while also improving their home comfort.
You may obtain different energy-saving products and services depending on your situation. Some participants may be eligible for free home energy needs evaluation by a certified energy professional, which can assist them in finding energy-saving modifications for their houses, such as appliance replacement and professionally fitted insulation and draft-proofing. These improvements could be made during or after an in-home visit.
Read more: 13 Energy Saving Tips for Heating & Cooling Your Home
Others may be eligible for free energy-saving kits instead. These can incorporate energy-saving LED lighting, timers, faucet aerators, and clothes drying lines and are designed to match their energy needs.
Under this program, all expert advice and energy-saving house renovations are provided at no cost. Trusted Save on Energy delivery partners deliver the Energy Affordability Program.
What Enhancements Are Offered for Free as Part of the Program?
You may be eligible for the following items, depending on your eligibility and the equipment you already have in your home:
- LED light bulbs with the ENERGY STAR® certification
- Showerheads with a high-efficiency rating (standard and handheld)
- Aerators for faucets (kitchen and bathroom)*
- Clothing drying rack
- A refrigerator that saves energy
- The air conditioner in the window
- Inventive power strip
- Additional insulation in the attic or basement*
- *Door and window weatherstripping*
- *Smart thermostat(s)**
*applicable to households with electric hot water heating*
*applicable to dwellings that are heated by electricity*
Who Is Eligible to Participate?
This program is open to people in Ontario (including those who live in grid-connected First Nation communities) and are responsible for paying their monthly electricity bills as a homeowner or renters. The sort of assistance you receive will be determined by your household income from the previous year, the number of persons living in your home, and whether or not you receive a qualified government or energy-support benefit. Residents in public housing may be eligible as well. Depending on your situation, you may receive different energy-saving items and services, but all professional advice and energy-efficiency enhancements are entirely free.
What Assistance Are You Able to Obtain?
The Energy Affordability Program offers two sorts of assistance: Comprehensive Support and Energy Saving Kits.
Support in Every Aspect
Residents in Ontario who are qualified for this level of assistance will have an energy-efficiency expert come to their home to discover ways to save energy, obtain renovations, and replace qualifying appliances.
To be eligible, a participant must be:
A resident of an eligible Social Housing property OR a person who owns, rents, or leases a home and is designated as the principal or secondary utility account holder AND fulfills ONE OF THE FOLLOWING CRITERIA:
- Has a yearly household income that does not exceed the following limits for the preceding year:
Number of people in the home | Before-tax household income |
1 | $36,578 |
2 | $51,729 |
3 | $63,354 |
4 | $73,157 |
5 | $81,791 |
6 | $89,598 |
7+ | $96,775 |
In the previous 12 months, you received one of the following sorts of assistance:
- Guaranteed Income Supplement Allowance for Seniors Allowance for Survivors
- The Ontario Disability Support Program (Ontario Works) is a government-funded program that (ODSP)
- Ontario’s Healthy Smiles Child Dental Program
Within the last 12 months, you received a Low-Income Energy Assistance Program (LEAP) grant or were a participant in the Ontario Electricity Support Program (OESP).
During the previous 12 months, you are eligible to participate in a natural gas income-qualifying demand-side management (DSM) program.
Kits for Energy Conservation
Residents who qualify for this level of assistance will receive a free Energy Saving Kit that includes simple-to-install devices that will help them save energy in their homes.
To be eligible, a participant must:
be an individual who owns, rents, or leases a home in Ontario and is listed as the primary or secondary utility account holder and does not meet the Comprehensive Support eligibility requirements, AND have an annual household income that does not exceed the following eligibility limits for the previous year:
Number of people in the home | Before-tax household income |
1 | $46,748 |
2 | $58,453 |
3 | $70,158 |
4 | $81,863 |
5 | $93,568 |
6 | $105,273 |
7+ | $116,978 |
How to Apply?
To apply for the following program, you must make sure that you satisfy all the eligibility requirements. Once you know you are eligible, you can apply for the program by opting for one of the below-given options:
- Contact Save on energy by phone- 1-844-770-3148
- The next option is to complete the application form by visiting the below-given link and be contacted by a program service provider within three business days.
The Bottom Line
The Energy Affordability Program is designed to help low-income households reduce their energy bills by providing financial assistance. The Energy Affordability Program provides grants for these families and individuals, who can then put that money towards the cost of heating or cooling their home during periods when they may not have enough in savings. This program can make a big difference for families struggling to make ends meet, and it is one that we should all support.
Read more: Ontario Renovation Grants: 82 Government Grants, Energy Rebates & Tax Credits for Ontario Homeowners
Leave a Reply