Home Energy Assistance Program Offers Help with Equipment Cleaning

Modified: August 2, 2016 3:12pm

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Date: 
8/2/16

The Erie County Department of Social Services’ Home Energy Assistance Program (“HEAP”) has announced that heating equipment clean and tune assistance is now available for eligible HEAP households through November 4, 2016.

Eligible households will receive free inspection, cleaning, and tuning of heating equipment including furnaces, boilers, and chimneys. A free carbon monoxide detector and programmable thermostat will also be installed in eligible households if these items are not currently installed.

In order to be eligible, households must have received a 2015-16 Regular HEAP heating benefit OR be responsible for a heating bill and have income which does not exceed the 2015-16 maximum HEAP guidelines. The applicant must be the homeowner. Renters are not eligible; maintenance of their heating equipment is the landlord’s responsibility.

In addition, the primary heating equipment must be more than 12 months old, and must not have been cleaned within the past 12 months. Applicants may apply in person at the HEAP office at 291 Pearl Street in Buffalo on weekdays from 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM, or may apply by mail by calling the HEAP Application Request line at 858-1969 to request an application packet which will be mailed to them.

Eligible applicants will be provided a list of qualified contractors in our area who have a contract with NYS to participate. HEAP will notify the chosen vendor of program eligibility. The vendor will then contact the client to set up an appointment. The HEAP Hotline is available at 858-7644 to provide information about equipment cleaning and tuning, other programs available to assist with heat and electricity costs or furnace repair when this program closes, the Weatherization Assistance Program, and other information about the 2016-17 HEAP season.

For more information:

On the Erie County Department of Social Services’ HEAP Program: http://www2.erie.gov/socialservices/index.php?q=heap-home-energy-assista...