FREE Electric Appliances for Qualifying Residents of Humboldt County

The Equitable Building Decarbonization Program is now available to low income residents in Humboldt County. The program offers FREE electric appliances and other home upgrades, such as:

• Electric heat pumps for space heating and cooling

• Heat pump water heaters

• Induction stoves

• And Weatherization upgrades that improve comfort and cut energy bills

  
  

Many homes still rely on propane, wood, or natural gas for heating and cooking. These appliances emit greenhouse gases and contribute to global climate change. Even more insidiously, these systems are a leading cause of poor indoor air quality, which can cause severe health impacts. Studies have found that gas stoves and indoor wood burning in particular are linked to lung diseases such as asthma and cancer. Switching to electric appliances can dramatically cut indoor air pollution.

Switching to clean electric appliances can also lower monthly energy costs over time. That’s because newer electric appliances are often far more efficient than their fossil-fueled predecessors. Unfortunately, for many families in our community, these upgrades are currently out of reach because of their upfront costs. The Equitable Building Decarbonization Program is designed to change that.

By offering these electric appliances to low-income households at no upfront cost, the program ensures that they are accessible to everyone. The program targets both renters and homeowners, as well as historically disadvantaged communities. By funding the work, the program will also create well-paid and meaningful jobs for contractors in our community.

To qualify for the program, your household income must be at or below 80% of the area median income, or you must be enrolled in an income-qualified assistance program. For multifamily properties, at least two-thirds of units must be at or below 80% of the area median income. Not sure if your home qualifies? Fill out the Request More Information form, and a community-based organization will help you check eligibility.

Even if you are not eligible for the program, you can help by spreading the word to neighbors, friends, and community groups and encouraging eligible households to apply. Programs like this only succeed if people know about them and trust them.

If you or someone you know may be eligible, now is the time to learn more and take advantage of the program. Find out how to apply at: https://aea.us.org/ebd-northern/. Because the clean energy transition shouldn’t be something that only the wealthy get to enjoy, it should be available to everyone in our community.