Free home upgrades available to qualifying older homeowners through Georgia Power could lower electricity bills. The improvements are intended to reduce energy waste.
Here's what to know
The household income limit is twice the federal poverty guideline amount. To qualify for EASE for Seniors, applicants must also be Georgia Power customers aged 60 or older who own and live in their homes, according to Low Income Relief.
Which improvements would help a household is determined through a free energy assessment conducted in the home.
Depending on the assessment findings, approved contractors may service heating and air conditioning equipment, seal ducts and other air leaks, or add attic insulation. Low Income Relief also lists smart thermostats and devices that conserve water as possible upgrades based on the home's needs.
Households pay nothing for approved improvements. The home assessment and program guidelines govern which improvements a household receives. However, replacing doors or windows is not part of EASE for Seniors.
More background
Higher electricity bills in older homes can reflect the loss of cooled air during summer or heated air during winter. Insulation and sealing can help curb those losses, but a home's condition may prevent contractors from moving forward.
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Unresolved gas leaks or unsafe wiring can hold up the work, as can roof leaks and moisture or mold concerns. Georgia Power requires those problems to be corrected first. Before applying, homeowners with questions about their property's condition can check the program's eligibility requirements.
Renters, meanwhile, have a separate option through Georgia Power's regular EASE program.
That program serves income-qualified customers of any age, with a higher income ceiling of three times the federal poverty guideline amount. Renters may apply, but improvements require their landlord's written permission.
What can be done?
An income chart on Georgia Power's official EASE for Seniors page lets homeowners check their household's eligibility. That page is also the starting point for an application.
Applicants must submit the requested information and proof of income. Following approval, an assessor arranges a no-cost home visit with the applicant.
A program contractor then performs the qualifying improvements selected in the assessment. Approval depends on whether the household meets program requirements, the property's condition, and the assessment findings.
Renters can find regular EASE application details in the utility's income-qualified assistance portal.
Another potential resource is HopeWorks, a Georgia nonprofit that offers a separate assistance program for eligible homeowners who are at least 65.
Low Income Relief cites an Atlanta BeltLine resource listing for HopeWorks that says assistance may include replacement of a gas furnace or water heater. Homeowners should contact HopeWorks to confirm availability and its separate eligibility requirements.
Depending on the applicant's circumstances, accepted proof of income for EASE for Seniors may include a SNAP benefits award letter, paycheck stubs, pension records, or documentation of disability or Social Security benefits.
Where can I learn more?
For homeowners trying to lower electricity bills, repairs may need to come before efficiency upgrades. These stories cover water-damaged duct insulation, free efficiency upgrades, and utility bill assistance.
• A Georgia plumber found soaking wet duct insulation in a grandmother's home and received a carbon monoxide warning.
• In Florida, low-income homeowners can seek $100,000 for repairs, but only 50 will be selected.
• Virginia households can get free HVAC and insulation, along with bill help before winter.
• Illinois utility assistance opens Oct. 1, offering bill relief and discounts alongside furnace repairs.
• Arizona's APS and SRP customers can seek up to $640 in utility bill aid.
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