Fed grants to aid homeowners with energy costs

By Sherry Long slong@timesleader.comStaff Writer

Two new multimillion grants from the federal government will allow the Commission on Economic Opportunity to continue funding its weatherization program and participate in a new energy-savings project.

CEO will share a $1.4 million grant with Lackawanna Human Development Agency in Scranton to provide new hybrid hot water heaters to eligible homeowners. Another grant worth $2.4 million awarded to CEO will allow the nonprofit organization to install in-home energy display devices helping homeowners determine how to lower their energy use and thus lower their bills. The display devices project is in conjunction with PPL Utilities, where the utility company’s customers in 22 counties throughout northern and central Pennsylvania can apply to receive the devices.

A large part of the in-home energy project is educating people how to use the devices that will show them instantaneously how much energy they save when not using certain electrical products, CEO Executive Director Gene Brady said.

“They can choose when to use appliances and when not to use them … not only would there be an installation of devices, but showing them how they can save,” Brady said.

He called these grants good news for the region because the organization would not be able to help financially struggling homeowners without these funds.

The hybrid water heaters are designed to help homeowners save 60 percent on their energy bills throughout the life of the devices.

These projects will not only allow people to save money on energy costs, but also reduce their energy consumption.

Both of these grants were a segment of nearly $90 million awarded under the Recovery Act to complement and expand existing weatherization programs and deliver even greater energy bill savings for local families.

People are encouraged to apply through the CEO to see if they qualify for assistance in either program. If eligible, CEO employees will install the devices.

CEO must receive its official paperwork from the federal government before approving any applications, Brady said. He said that could take a month.