SRP and Stimulus Help Low-Income Customers

Up to $6,000 Available for Home Energy-Efficiency Improvements

Phoenix, AZ - Qualified low-income customers in Salt River Project’s service territory may now receive up to $6,000 from SRP to improve the energy efficiency of their home. The $6,000 per-customer cap is an increase of $4,000 from last year’s offering. Combined with economic stimulus funds from the U.S. Department of Energy, customers who qualify could get up to $12,500 in upgrades or repairs designed to decrease home energy costs and address energy-related health and safety issues in the home.

The money available for energy-efficiency improvements is providing numerous job opportunities for local contractors. SRP and stimulus funds are used by the local community action associations to hire contractors to assist in the efforts to improve home energy efficiency for low-income homeowners.

The increased funding is growing the program and creating jobs, which is intensifying the demand for well-trained field auditors and contractors. SRP is providing the facilities to host the new training effort being conducted by the Foundation for Senior Living.

Studies indicate that low-income families and individuals typically spend a higher percentage of their annual income for energy to heat, cool and run appliances in their homes. The Weatherization Assistance Program was established to help those families decrease their home energy costs by among other things, sealing leaky AC ducts, adding insulation and weather stripping, providing low-flow showerheads or even replacing aging air conditioners.

“Increasing the funding level for individual homes will result in more comprehensive energy-efficient improvements,” said Debbie Kimberly, SRP’s manager of Energy Efficiency & Policy Analysis. “The customers who participate in this program will have lower electricity bills and experience improved comfort levels throughout their house.”

To qualify, a family must make less than double the federal poverty line, which equates to about $44,000 annually for a family of four.

SRP provides a total of $725,000 annually to the state’s Weatherization Assistance Program. Those funds are managed by the Arizona Community Action Association (ACAA). Home auditors determine which improvements are cost effective, and the average qualifying Arizona home receives $4,500 according to the Arizona Energy Office.

“The program is important for several reasons,” said ACAA executive director Cynthia Zwick. “Every year more people die of heat-related deaths than from the cold. Weatherization improves the quality of housing stock in communities; it lowers energy bills allowing for greater conservation of energy – allowing families to use the savings for other necessities like food or medication.”

Valley residents interested in participating in the Weatherization Assistance Program should contact their area community agencies to apply or visit www.azcaa.org. More information on SRP’s Weatherization Program can be found by visiting www.srpnet.com/weatherization.

Published on behalf of Salt River Project
SRP is the largest provider of electricity in the greater Phoenix metropolitan area, serving about 935,000 customers in Maricopa and Pinal counties. For more information, visit www.srpnet.com.

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