Prevent PG&E Shut-offs with Efficient Water Heaters & Furnaces

If you have been feeling the sting of rising utility costs since the new year—as much as 9.4% for combined electricity and gas, according to a Dec. 31, 2021 San Jose Mercury News article—imagine the shock for low income households when they opened their February utility bill to discover that on top of the skyrocketing costs to heat their homes, they could also be facing discontinuation of service for nonpayment.

The lifting of the pandemic-induced moratorium on shut-off notices—originally slated to lift last fall—couldn’t have come at a worse time for vulnerable communities in Alameda County. Many had been diligently applying for the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) throughout the pandemic, but the once-a-year assistance cannot help those who have not yet passed their 12-month re-application window.

Here’s where Spectrum Community Services can still help by offering a longer lasting solution: weatherization services. By upgrading a home with the installation of energy-saving measures, residents stay warmer in the winter and cooler in the summer. According to the California Department of Community Service and Development, households can see an average savings rate of over $400 each year.

Help spread the word throughout Alameda County: Spectrum Community Services wants to help low-income households install energy-efficient water heaters and furnaces (among other measures). There’s no time to lose, and lots of savings to reap. Go to our Weatherization page to get started.