Albany, NY – The New York State Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance today announced that $2 million in funding is available to help low- and middle-income households get their heating equipment inspected and cleaned prior to the start of the heating season. Applications are being accepted beginning today, Monday, Aug. 1 for the furnace or boiler tune-ups, which can help improve energy efficiency while helping New Yorkers save on heating costs this winter.
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The program is federally-funded through the Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP). People can apply at their local department of social services.
“Households that get their heating equipment cleaned now will benefit come wintertime when they save on heating costs due to the improved efficiency,” said Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance Commissioner Samuel D. Roberts. “We also expect that fewer households that receive heating assistance through HEAP will face emergencies this winter, as a result of having a furnace or boiler operating at peak performance.”
Eligible households can receive up to $400, which includes cleaning of the primary heating equipment, but may also include chimney cleaning, minor repairs, installation of carbon monoxide detectors or programmable thermostats, if needed, to allow for the safe, proper and efficient operation of the heating equipment.
To qualify, households must not exceed the program’s income guidelines, which vary by household size. For example, a family of four can earn up to $4,316 a month and still qualify. Additionally, the household must have heating equipment that is more than 12 months old, and the furnace, boiler or chimney must not have been cleaned within the past 12 months.
Applications will be accepted through Nov. 4, or until funding is exhausted, whichever comes first. New Yorkers can find contact information for their county department of social services at http://otda.ny.gov/programs/heap/HEAP-contacts.pdf.