Energy Bill Reduction
Lower your monthly energy bills with free products, appliances, and services for limited-income Vermonters.
Get a range of free and reduced-cost services, based on income, to help lower your energy bills. Renters and homeowners can access free water-saving devices, LEDs, appliances, and heating systems. Homeowners and landlords of eligible rental properties can also get free or reduced-cost energy audits, insulation, and air sealing through local weatherization agencies. And if you own a mobile home, you may qualify for free weatherization services from Vermont Gas Systems.
Highlights
- Free products and appliances, based on income and energy usage
- Free or reduced-cost weatherization for limited-income households, rental properties and mobile homes
- Low- and no-cost energy-saving tips
Free Products and Appliances
This program is fully subscribed through 2020, and enrollment is paused until further notice. You may still contact customer support to be screened for eligibility, and Efficiency Vermont will reach out to you when program enrollment opens again.
The proportion of your household income that goes toward electric bills each month may make you eligible to receive free products and appliances to help lower your bills. These may include refrigerators, wood and pellet stoves, freezers, and clothes washers, dehumidifiers, heat pumps, and heat pump water heaters. Contact us to confirm your eligibility.
- Free refrigerators, washers, freezers, wood and pellet stoves, heat pumps, water heaters, and more
- $0 cost to you, no strings attached
Income Qualificiations
| Number of People in Household | Household Income Limit: Chittenden, Franklin & Grand Isle counties | Household Income Limit: All other Vermont counties |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $51,350 | $44,500 |
| 2 | $58,650 | $50,900 |
| 3 | $66,000 | $57,250 |
| 4 | $73,300 | $63,600 |
| 5 | $79,200 | $68,700 |
| 6 | $85,050 | $73,800 |
| 7 | $90,900 | $78,850 |
| 8 | $96,800 | $83,950 |
Weatherization Assistance
Vermont’s weatherization agencies offer services including energy audits, insulation and air sealing. Even if you’re a homeowner who exceeds the income limits, you may still qualify for low interest financing to make efficiency upgrades to your home.
- Spend less on energy, enjoy a more comfortable living space
- Get free or reduced-cost insulation, air sealing, and energy audits
- Replace outdated appliances and lighting at free or reduced cost
Eligibility for Weatherization Assistance
Eligibility is based on income and determined by your regional weatherization agency. Whether you own a home or rental property, get started by contacting your area’s agency from the list below:
Bennington Rutland Opportunity Council (BROC), (802) 447-7515Capstone Community Action, (800) 639-1053
Champlain Valley Weatherization Services (CVOEO), (800) 545-1084
Northeast Employment & Training Organization (NETO), (800) 639-3212
Southeastern Vermont Community Action (SEVCA), (800) 464-9951
Vermont Office of Economic Opportunity (statewide), (802) 241-2453
Mobile Home Weatherization
Low-income owners of mobile homes qualify for free duct sealing, roof, and floor insulation through weatherization agencies (listed above) or Vermont Gas. Even if you exceed the income limits, you may still be eligible to receive up to 75% off the cost of the work. These efficiency upgrades save energy, lower your utility bills, and make your mobile home less drafty and more comfortable to live in.
- Free insulation and duct sealing for limited-income households
- See up to a 20% reduction on future energy bills
- Get rebates on energy-efficient appliances and more
Learn about replacing your mobile home with a zero energy modular home
Energy Tips for Renters
If you’re a renter who exceeds the income limits for free products and appliances (listed at top of this page), talk to your landlord. See if they’re willing to contact us, and we can help determine if their property qualifies for free or discounted weatherization services and products. Energy efficiency upgrades often lower costs for both renters and landlords, so they can make good financial sense for everyone involved.
Heat Saver Loan
The Heat Saver Loan is a fast, easy, and flexible way to finance home weatherization and heating improvements. These can include cold-climate heat pumps, air sealing and insulation, solar hot water heaters, heat pump water heaters, and advanced wood heating.
- Low-interest loans of up to $35,000, with 100% financing available
- Can be processed in as little as two business days
- Low-to-no closing costs (can be rolled into loan), loan terms of up to 15 years