Eligible Mahoning County residents can access a variety of energy saving programs through the Mahoning-Youngstown Community Action Partnership (MYCAP).
Currently, the agency offers audits and energy efficient updates through the Reduction in Household Energy Burden (RHEB) program. The goal of the program is to teach people about energy usage and help keep them out of crisis situations.
“It’s geared toward educating customers on ways to reduce usage, thereby reducing their energy burden,” said MYCAP’s Director of Energy Services Joyce Davenport. “If you learn how to bring your bill down, you can avoid the threat of disconnection.”
Davenport said this is MYCAP’s second year offering RHEB. Using information from customers in the Home Energy Assistance Program, Winter Crisis Program and other Energy programs, MYCAP staff reach out to clients and offer the RHEB. Inspectors perform energy audits including evaluating refrigerators and provide the Energy Efficiency Kits to the customer. The RHEB kits include LED light bulbs, night lights, power strips, furnace whistles and heavy blankets. The kit is valued at approximately $150, Davenport said.
Inspectors also look for ways MYCAP can possibly assist eligible residents with other programs such as the Weatherization program, Electric Partnership, or the Community Connections Program
RHEB also includes follow up calls with advocates that include budgeting tips and education on understanding energy bills. Customers who participate in these 60-day updates can also receive filters for their furnaces.
Davenport said sometimes a simple thing like a clean filter can help a furnace run more efficiently and lower energy bills. The furnace whistles are designed to alert the resident when the filter needs to be changed.
“The education piece is the real key,” Davenport said. “Some of the customers may never have understood if you do these things you could save money. They’ll become more conscious of their overall energy usage and hopefully teach their children to do the same."
Households must live at or below 175% of the federal poverty line to qualify for the RHEB program. Learn more on MYCAP’s website at www.mycaphelps.org.
