PENSACOLA, Fla. - Feb. 4, 2009 - Cold winter weather means higher energy bills and for low income households that may cause difficulties. But Gulf Power Company has several programs that help customers save money on their energy bills, make their homes more energy efficient or help them get direct assistance.  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                Some of those programs include:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1.     Gulf Power participates with the Salvation Army in Project Share, a program that provides emergency assistance to those who need help with energy bills, repairs to heating and air-conditioning equipment, and other energy-related needs. Project Share and other non-profit programs assist the elderly, the disabled, the sick, and others experiencing financial hardship. Eligible customers can apply for Project SHARE assistance at The Salvation Army office in their county. Eligibility requirements for Project SHARE recipients are set by The Salvation Army. Gulf Power customers can donate to the program by indicating so on their power bill.

 

 

 

 

 

 

2.     Gulf Power offers a bill payment option called Budget Billing. Budget Billing can “levelize” monthly payments so customers can know approximately how much their bill will be each month and avoid high cost fluctuations caused by increased energy purchases during very cold or hot periods.  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

3.     Gulf Power also has many excellent programs to help customers save money by making their homes and businesses more energy efficient (see list below following assistance programs).

 

 

 

 

 

 

4.     The WAP (Weatherization Assistance Program) and LIHEAP (Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program) are federal, statewide programs that help pay energy bills for low-income households. To find out more about qualifications, contact your county’s local WAP and/or LIHEAP agency, which can be found on the Department of Community Affairs Web site at http://www.floridacommunitydevelopment.org/liheap/index.cfm or by calling the state's information line at 2-1-1.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Florida Low-income energy assistance programs

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Florida Division of Housing and Community Development

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP & WAP-LIHEAP) annually provides grant funds to community action agencies, local governments, Indian tribes and non-profit agencies to provide specific program services for low-income families of Florida. The assistance includes: repair or replace inefficient heating and cooling units, air-infiltration/weather stripping, caulking, thresholds, minor wall, ceiling and floor repairs, window and door replacement, attic insulation, repair or replace water heaters, install solar screens, apply solar reflective coating to manufactured homes, and attic ventilation.

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) provides grants to local governments and non-profit agencies to assist eligible low-income households in meeting the costs of home heating and cooling.  Assistance includes utility bill payment, crisis and emergency assistance (bill payment, utility deposits, fees for restoring power, fans, repair or replacement of heating or cooling equipment, blankets and other items as needed, other items specific to the emergency).               

 

 

 

 

 

 

These programs receive funding from the U. S. Department of Health and Human Services. The extent of services to be provided depends on available funding. The LIHEAP program also is funded each year by the federal Department of Energy.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Local community assistance programs (listed below) accept applications and the Department of Community Affairs (Division of Housing and Community Development) sets guidelines for participation.

 

 

 

 

 

 

BAY COUNTY

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Bay Council on Aging, Incorporated County

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Mailing Address: 1116 Frankford Avenue

 

 

 

 

 

 

Panama City, Florida 32401

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Executive Director: Ms. Elizabeth N. Coulliette  

 

 

 

 

 

 

E-MAIL: coull1074@aol.com

 

 

 

 

 

 

LIHEAP Program Dir: Ms. Karen Koffman

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

E-MAIL: bccoa@juno.com

 

 

 

 

 

 

WAP Coordinator: Ms. Gail Allen

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Phone: (850) 769-3468

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Counties Served: Bay - WAP, WAP-LIHEAP, LEHRP and LIHEAP

 

 

 

 

 

 

FL Dept. of Community Affairs Consultant-CSBG/LIHEAP: Ms. Joe Anne Jones

 

 

 

 

 

 

FL Dept. of Community Affairs Consultant-WAP: Ms. June Holley

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

CALHOUN COUNTY

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

LIHEAP - See Leon County

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

WAP/WAP-LIHEAP

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Calhoun County Board of County Commissioners

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Mailing Address: 20859 Central Avenue East, Room 309

 

 

 

 

 

 

Blountstown, Florida 32424

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

WAP Coordinator: Mr. Dan Clemons

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

E-MAIL: wx.dclemons@yahoo.com

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Phone: (850) 674-2571

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

FAX: (850) 674-5553

 

 

 

 

 

 

Counties Served: Calhoun

 

 

 

 

 

 

FL Dept. of Community Affairs Consultant-WAP: Ms. June Holley

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

ESCAMBIA COUNTY

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

WAP-LIHEAP

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Community Action Program Committee, Inc.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Mailing Address: Post Office Box 628

 

 

 

 

 

 

Pensacola, Florida 32591

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Street Address: 1380 North Palafox Street

 

 

 

 

 

 

Pensacola, Florida 32591

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Executive Director: Ms. Brenda Trimble, Executive Director

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

E-MAIL: trimbleb@capc-pensacola.org

 

 

 

 

 

 

Program Director: Ms. Agnes Doering

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

E-MAIL: agnes@capc-pensacola.org

 

 

 

 

 

 

LIHEAP Coordinator: Ms. Sandra Johnson

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

E-MAIL: sandra@capc-pensacola.org

 

 

 

 

 

 

Finance Officer: Ms. Janet Saunders

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

E-MAIL: janet@capc-pensacola.org

 

 

 

 

 

 

Phone: (850) 438-4022 ext. 12

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

FAX: (850) 438-0121

 

 

 

 

 

 

WAP Coord: Ms. Connie Parker

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

E-MAIL: connie@capc-pensacola.org

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Phone: (850) 438-4021

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Counties Served: EscambiaWAP, WAP/LIHEAP , Okaloosa and Santa Rosa

 

 

 

 

 

 

Santa Rosa-CSBG and LIHEAP served by Tri County Comm. Action Agency

 

 

 

 

 

 

FL Dept. of Community Affairs Consultant-CSBG/LIHEAP: Ms. Joe Anne Jones

 

 

 

 

 

 

FL Dept. of Community Affairs Consultant-WAP: Ms. June Holley

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

HOLMES COUNTY

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

LIHEAP - See Jackson County-Tri-County Community Council, Inc.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

WAP/WAP-LIHEAP

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Tri-County Community Council, Incorporated

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Mailing Address: 302 North Oklahoma Street

 

 

 

 

 

 

Bonifay, Florida 32425

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Executive Director: Mr. Joel Paul, Jr. joelpaul.tccc@mchsi.com

 

 

 

 

 

 

Assistant Executive Director: Ms. Annette Stewart annette.tccc@mchsi.com

 

 

 

 

 

 

WAP Coordinator: Ms. Carol Edwards wap@tricountycommunitycouncil.com

 

 

 

 

 

 

Phone: (850) 547-3688 Toll Free Number: (800) 395-2696

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

FAX: (850) 547-9806

 

 

 

 

 

 

Counties Served: Holmes, Walton, and Washington - WAP/WAP-LIHEAP

 

 

 

 

 

 

DCA Consultant-WAP: Ms. June Holley

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

JACKSON COUNTY

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

LIHEAP

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Jackson Senior Citizens Organization, Incorporated County

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Street Address: 5400 Cliff Street

 

 

 

 

 

 

Graceville, Florida 32440

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Executive Director: Ms. Abbie Burdeshaw

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

E-MAIL: jcsenior@wfeca.net

 

 

 

 

 

 

Phone: (850) 263-4650 or 263-2774

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

FAX: (850) 263-4136

 

 

 

 

 

 

Counties Served: Jackson

 

 

 

 

 

 

DCA Consultant-LIHEAP: Ms. Joe Anne Jones

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

WAP and WAP-LIHEAP

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Jackson County Board of County Commissioners

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Community Development Department

 

 

 

 

 

 

Mailing Address: 2864 Madison Street

 

 

 

 

 

 

Marianna, Florida 32448

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Director: Pamela G. Pichard

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

E-MAIL: ppichard@jacksoncountyfl.com

 

 

 

 

 

 

Phone: (850) 482-9083

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

FAX: (850) 718-0518

 

 

 

 

 

 

County: Mr. Ted Lakey Administrator

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Administration Office

 

 

 

 

 

 

2864 Madison Street

 

 

 

Marianna, Florida 32448

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Phone: (850) 482-9633

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

WAP Coordinator: Pamela G. Pichard

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Phone: (850) 482-9083

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

E-MAIL: ppichard@jacksoncountyfl.com

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

County Served: Jackson

 

 

 

 

 

 

DCA Consultant-WAP: Mr. Bob Hunter

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

OKALOOSA COUNTY

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

WAP/WAP-LIHEAP – See Escambia County

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

LIHEAP - See Jackson County-Tri-County Community Council, Inc

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

SANTA ROSA COUNTY

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

CSBG - See Jackson County-Tri County Community Council, Inc.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

LIHEAP

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

WAP/WAP-LIHEAP - See Escambia County-Community Action Program Committee Inc

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

WALTON COUNTY

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

LIHEAP - See Jackson County-Tri County Community Council, Inc

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

WAP/WAP-LIHEAP - See Holmes County

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

WASHINGTON COUNTY

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

LIHEAP - See Jackson County-Tri County Community Council, Inc

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

WAP/WAP-LIHEAP - See Holmes County

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Things you can do to make your home or business more energy efficient.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Temperature settings

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Heating a house makes up about half of your electricity bill so set your thermostat to 68 degrees or lower in the winter. Did you know that you can decrease the amount of energy you buy for heating by three percent or more for every degree below 68 degrees you set your thermostat?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Programmable thermostats are a good investment, or you can take advantage of Gulf Power’s Energy Select. It’s a program that allows customers to pay different rates for electricity during the day according to a set schedule. For only $4.95 per month you can save energy 87 percent of the time with Energy Select. The program comes with a free programmable thermostat so the homeowner controls the heating and cooling system, water heating and even pool pump to take advantage of the low price periods. It also comes with free surge protection and a system called outage alert. Outage alert will automatically notify Gulf Power of a power outage at the home.   

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Heating and cooling equipment

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The home’s heating system is extremely important. If it's an older, less efficient unit, upgrading to a geothermal heating and cooling system or a high efficiency air-source heat pump may be a wise choice. Contact Power at 1-877-655-4001 for a free Energy Check-Up. Let the Energy Experts show you how to save money today. Gulf

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Routine maintenance

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A well-maintained heating system runs more efficiently. A complete tune-up of the home heating system can cost anywhere from $50 to $100 and more, but this is a very worthwhile investment and can reduce your heating bill from 3 to 10 percent. Some companies offer regular service contracts, which are a convenience if you tend to forget system maintenance. Remember to replace the filter every month.      

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ductwork

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Duct leakage can account for 20 percent of the heating and cooling cost. Getting ducts sealed up should be at the top of the list for making your home energy efficient.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Insulation

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Adding insulation to your attic is one of the most cost-effective energy saving measures. Different types of insulation material have different R-values. The recommended level is R-38 in the attic.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Weather-stripping and caulking

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Weather-strip door jambs and caulk any cracks around windows to prevent cool air from entering your home.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Window units

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

If you have a window air conditioning unit, remove it for the winter months to prevent heat from escaping through and around the unit. If it can't be moved, put a cover over it to prevent drafts.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Humidifier

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Use a humidifier to keep your home more comfortable. Adding moisture allows you to reduce the thermostat setting without feeling colder.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Other tips are available on the Energy Tips section at www.gulfpower.com, along with an extensive set of Frequently Asked Questions on energy use in the home.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Customers can get a free Energy Check-Up online or at your home with an appointment. Gulf Power energy experts will analyze your house and electricity use, and look for ways to make the house more energy efficient. Just go to www.gulfpower.com or call 1-877-655-4001.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Media Contact:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sandy Sims

 

 

 

 

 

 

Manager of Public Affairs
850-444-6057

 

 

 

 

 

 

sfsims@southernco.com

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Jeff Rogers

 

 

 

 

 

 

Media Relations
850-444-6243

 

 

 

 

 

 

jerogers@southernco.com