The first two weeks in January brought record cold temperatures to northwest Florida. This sustained winter weather will mean higher energy bills, and for many households that may cause difficulties. 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. 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. To find out more about payment assistance, call our Customer Care Center at 1-800-225-5797 anytime, day or night.

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 County Council on Aging, Incorporated

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: Escambia, Okaloosa and Santa Rosa WAP, WAP/LIHEAP

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 County Senior Citizens Organization, Incorporated

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 Administrator: Mr. Ted Lakey

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 Gulf Power at 1-877-655-4001 for a free Energy Check-Up. Let the Energy Experts show you how to save money today.

 

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.