Outage Map
Income-qualified programs make it easy for co-op members to reduce their monthly bills.
By Courtney Cobb
Maria and Miguel knew they couldn’t survive another Central Oregon winter in their older manufactured home without a functioning heating system. The couple and their children had been making do the past 2 years without a working HVAC. They had a wood stove in the living room and space heaters in the bedrooms, yet the house remained cool. The young family couldn’t afford to have a new furnace put in because of the seasonal nature of Miguel’s job.
The prospect of facing another winter dealing with multiple layers of clothing and blankets, a cold, drafty house, and higher energy bills was daunting. After talking with a Central Electric Cooperative (CEC) customer service representative, the couple learned about the co-op’s Energy Efficiency Income Qualified program.
After a simple audit by Energy Specialist Alex Pajunen and Customer Service Translator Margie Ponce, Maria and Miguel discovered they were eligible not only for a new heat pump, but also a heat pump water heater, floor insulation, a washer and dryer, and improved ductwork for the dryer and HVAC system.
Today, their home is cozy and more energy efficient than before. They have seen their electric bills decrease and are thankful for the help from CEC to create a warm and safe space for their family.
Income-Qualified Offerings
With the chill of winter around the corner, many renters and homeowners are looking at ways to prepare their homes. Central Electric Cooperative believes every member and home should benefit from greater energy efficiency. The cooperative offers special incentives and resources for income-qualified households.
“As long as members meet CEC’s income requirements, we can potentially upgrade the heating and cooling system, the water heater, windows, insulation, and clothes washers and dryers at no cost to the homeowner,” Energy Services Manager Thomas Elzinga says.
The program is for renters or homeowners and covers site-built or manufactured homes. Since 2015, CEC has helped more than 166 families improve their homes and lower their bills.
“Since the beginning of the year through August, we have helped over 66 families,” Thomas says.
How to Apply
The income-qualified program is available at no cost to members. Those interested in this opportunity should call Central Electric Cooperative and speak with an energy specialist.
“We will discuss income levels and set up a home energy audit to see what we might be able to do and offer you,” Thomas says.
The income requirement must be met from the combined incomes of everyone in the household or property. Renters must secure the property owner’s permission before making any modifications.
Alex says multiple projects are often completed.
“As long as there is a need for it—and if it’s something that CEC can help with—we try and get the member qualified for all of our available upgrades,” he says. “This will help improve the home’s energy efficiency and ultimately reduce the member’s overall electric usage.”
Once the energy audit is completed and all requirements are met, CEC works with local contractors to make the process as easy and stress-free as possible for members.
“We take care of all the paperwork,” Alex says. “The only thing they should have to worry about is scheduling a time to have the work completed.”
Alex and Thomas stress that income-qualified members should consider the program.
“This is a no-cost way to help improve your home and help lower your ongoing utility bills,” Thomas says. “Some members have been able to lower their bills by hundreds of dollars.”