Energy Efficiency and Fuel Assistance
Updated November 10, 2009
Franklin County Home Care (FCHCC), the federal and state “Agency on Aging,” uses surveys and focus groups to assess the unmet needs of elders in our 30 town service area. Although 82% of elders in Franklin County and North Quabbin own their homes, the average income/elder is $13,000/year, and keeping homes repaired is our biggest unmet need.
FCHCC has received funding from Community Foundation of Western Massachusetts, to develop a guide to help elders locate home repair resources that are available regionally and town by town. Right now we are providing information and resources available, and contractors or handimen through our Consumer Home Repair Guide. MANY resources ARE available! They change rapidly! For updates, check this Web site, or contact FCHCC via e-mail or 413-773-5555 or 978-544-2259.
For Orange Seniors: Tracy Gaudet is our Elder Outreach Worker, 978-544-3481.
Some basic sources identified so far include:
1. Fuel Assistance, Insulation/Weatherization. Assists low-income households by paying a portion of their home heating costs. The program is available to homeowners and renters. Program eligibility and payment amounts are determined by family size and gross annual household income. A household that is accepted for fuel assistance is also eligible for insulation & weatherization, heating system repair, electric efficiency programs, and subsidized electric and phone bills. Register as soon as possible. Call to apply. If you live in:
Franklin County, call Community Action, 413-774-2310;
Hampshire County, call 1-800-370-0940;
Athol, Royalston, Phillipston, Petersham, call NE Farm- Workers Council 978-342-4520.
2. Housing Rehabilitation. The Franklin County Housing and Redevelopment Authority administers deferred payment (no payments until the house is sold or transferred to a new owner), zero interest loans on behalf of towns located in Franklin County. The program goal is to enable low to moderate-income homeowners to access up to $30,000 to bring their homes into compliance with local building codes, which includes insulation/ weatherization and elimination of lead-based paint hazards. Funding is currently available for homeowners in Bernardston, Charlemont, Colrain, Heath, Leverett, Rowe, Shutesbury, Warwick and Whately and targeted areas in Greenfield, Montague and Orange. (Other towns? Ask!) www.fchra.org 413 863-9781 ext. 132. Some funds may also be available from the RAFT program. Call 413-863-9781 X150 or 151. For a similar Athol-area program, call Winiphred Stone at 978-575-0301.
3. The Public Utilities offer free energy assessments and rebates through MASS SAVE. Energy advisors carefully survey the house and appliances, and offer generous rebates for energy efficiency upgrades for households of any income level. Rebates of up to $2000 can provide 75% of cost of insulation and weatherization, energy efficiency upgrades, or the program can provide 0% interest loans for a new heating system that is up to 97% efficient, saving a great deal on fuel. An assessment (energy audit) is required in advance. (See also # 7 for 0% loans). (Franklin County Home Care can provide some matching money for insulation jobs for elders. Call FCHCC at 413-773-5555 or 978-544-2259.)
Call MASS SAVE HOTLINE: 1- 866-527-7283
or try the web site at: http://www.masssave.com/customers/index.php
4. MASS SAVE 0% Interest Loans for energy efficiency upgrades, $2000-$10,000, are accessed through Franklin First (Greenfield), Workers (Orange), or Southbridge Credit Unions. These applications require a FREE energy assessment (audit) from MassSave (see #3) before the work is initiated, contractors estimate, and loan application. Eligible installations are for insulation, energy star heating systems, thermostats or hot water systems; replacement of single pane with energy star windows.
5. Some banks also have low interest Energy Efficiency Loans: Franklin First Credit Union, Greenfield, Contact: 413-774-6700; www.franklinfirst.org; Worker’s Credit Union (In cooperation with MassSave—please contact MassSave first), Orange, 1-800-221-4020 or 978-345-1021 or 978-544-3126 or www.wcu.com; Greenfield Co-operative Bank, Greenfield, please contact Ms. Chris Eugin at 413-772-5000.
6. Cooperative Groups are buying oil and other energy saving devices. These include churches (Interfaith Council) , and landlords (for example, Greenfield Landlord’s Association), and Coop Power in Greenfield. Coop Power is a membership network, which organizes “sweat equity” installations of solar hot water systems, discounts on those systems. They also have other energy saving ideas. Call 413-772-8898 or 877-266-7543; www.cooppower.coop email: info@cooppower.coop
7. Bio-Mass (such as Woodstove and Pellet Stove) Installations. It takes more work to load and clean out a wood or pellet stove, but it is comforting to have the supply of fuel in hand. Wood stoves work even if the electricity is out. Pellet stoves only work if electricity runs the pellet feed system, (unless a battery back-up is used). Make sure that the fuel needed—wood or pellets—is still available before purchasing a new appliance, and that the installation meets the building/fire code. In Franklin County try: Bernardston Farmer’s Supply, Sandri Oil Company.
8. Emergency Oil. Citizen’s Energy Co. created by Joe Kennedy, with free oil from Venezuela (CITGO), provides one free emergency oil delivery. Applications need to be done in advance but will not be available until December 2009. Income guidelines apply. Call 1-877-563-4645 (1-877-JOE 4-OIL). For Natural Gas Assistance, call 866-427-9918.
9. Emergency Fuel. The Salvation Army Service Centers provide access to the Massachusetts Good Neighbor Fund for emergency fuel. Please call 1-800-262-1320 (if you are in area code 413) or 1-800-334-3047 (if you are in any other MA area code). www.magoodneighbor.org.
10. TRIAD, Franklin County Sheriff’s Office, works with local Police Departments and Fire Departments, to alert seniors to current scams, inspect homes and install safety equipment, provide equipment to aid mobility, give information on tax abatements and deferments and offer support to conserve resources and stay warm. Franklin County - You can reach them at 413-774-4726.
11. Oil Companies: Some are offering senior discounts of 2-3 cents a gallon, discounts for pre-paid contracts and budgeting systems that can be paid over 10-12 months. Prices change constantly. Also helpful is a good tune-up or installing an updated burner in an existing furnace or an inexpensive heating system addition, for example a Beckett Heat Manager, which can save 10-30% on fuel. Inquire.
12. USDA Loan or Grant: Homeowners are eligible for a Section 504 Home Improvement grant for up to $7500 and/or a $20,000 loan at 1% paid over 20 years, depending on income (1 person- $25,900/year). Call USDA Rural Development 413-585-1000 X 4 or www.rurdev.usda.gov/ma
13. Other: We have other resources available. Please call:
Franklin County Home Care Corporation Information and Referral Service
Contact: 413-773-5555; 978-544-2259; 800-732-4636
If you believe an elder is being neglected or self-neglecting we can help.
Please call our Protective Service program during normal business hours at
413-773-5555 or 978-544-2259 or 800-732-4636.
The 24 hour hotline is 800-922-2275