Low Income Appliance Replacement Program
Program Description
Efficiency Maine's Low Income Appliance Replacement Program was designed to replace old and inefficient refrigerators and freezers in the homes of low-income consumers. Efficiency Maine was able to complement the services being offered by Maine State Housing Authority (MaineHousing) and the Community Action Programs (CAPs) through a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with MaineHousing.
Community Action Program agencies in all of Maine's 16 counties are replacing refrigerators and freezers and installing energy-efficient CFLs in locations where they will provide the greatest energy savings in low-income customers' homes.
Program Benefits
- Increase the affordability of electricity services to low-income customers;
- Reduce the consumption of electricity; and,
- Provide environmental benefits.
Program Activities
Efficiency Maine minimizes administrative costs by working with MaineHousing and the CAPs to supplement an existing federal program. The federal program administered by MaineHousing and delivered by the CAPs provides energy audits and weatherization services to qualified customers. The mechanism that allows Efficiency Maine to supplement these efforts is a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with MaineHousing under which CAP energy auditors arrange for the replacement of refrigerators when the estimated energy savings are 750 or more kWh per year and replacement of freezers when the estimated energy savings are 978 kWh or more per year. The auditors also install energy efficient compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs) in locations where they will provide the greatest energy savings.
This year, Maine’s CAPs will deliver more than 2,500 refrigerators and freezers and 30,000 CFLs to low-income customers. Altogether, the refrigerators, freezers and efficient lights are estimated to save each customer more than 2,000 kWh per year. The program yields lifetime economic benefits of $2.6 million and annual energy savings of 3,560 MWh. The program is cost effective with a benefit to cost ratio of 1.21 to 1. By statute, Efficiency Maine is charged to spend 20% of total efficiency funds on low-income programs. In 2007, we spent 16%.
Efficiency Maine's Services and Resources
CAP energy auditors and weatherization specialists will estimate the efficiency of the refrigerators and freezers in homes they are auditing. When the auditors find that a refrigerator replacement will save 750 or more kWh per year and for a freezer replacement that will save 978 or more kWh per year, Efficiency Maine funds the purchase of a new, more energy efficient model. While on site, the auditors may also install energy efficient compact fluorescent lamps in locations where they will provide the greatest savings.
Eligibility
If you have applied to the Low Income Heating Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) and are receiving or have previously received weatherization services from MaineHousing’s Weatherization Program, you may be eligible for the Appliance Replacement Program too.
How do I apply?
When you apply for LIHEAP, you are automatically considered for the Appliance Replacement Program and other assistance. Contact the Community Action Program (CAP) agency nearest you for a LIHEAP application or to inquire about your eligibility for appliance replacement.
For more Information
If you would like more information about this program, please contact Efficiency Maine or Jo-Ann Choate with MaineHousing at (207) 626-4600 or by email at jchoate@mainehousing.org.
