Low-income Energy Efficiency Program (LEEP)
Financial assistance for home improvements
GRU's Low-income Energy Efficiency Program assists low-income customers with home improvements that can lower their electric bill, improve comfort and reduce energy use. Eligible participants will work with GRU to determine the improvements that best suit their home, which may include
- Replacing central A/C and heating systems
- Servicing central A/C systems
- Replacing room A/Cs with high-efficiency units
- Repairing leaky ducts
- Installing additional insulation
- Replacing water heater
- Installing a programmable thermostat
- Weather stripping and caulking of doors and windows
- Install up to 10 compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFLs)
Program Offer
Program provides, on average, $2,900 of approved upgrades to the home. Rebate will be provided directly to the GRU LEEP Contractor rather than the customer.
Eligibility
- Must be a GRU residential electric customer
- Customer must own and live in the home
- Home must be single-family dwelling or mobile home built prior to 1993
- Customer must meet income qualifications (at or below 80 percent of Median Family Income based on current HUD Low-income Guidelines)
- Customer must show proof of eligibility from a federal, state or local program, such as, but not limited to:
- Neighborhood Housing & Development Corporation (NHDC)
- North Central Florida Community Action Agency (NCFAA)
- Department of Children & Families (DCF)
- Customer must use a GRU LEEP Contractor
- Customer must participate in a one hour energy-efficiency training
- Efficiency measures may be deferred if structural components need to be addressed first
- Customer may only receive assistance from this program once
- Location of repairs must be safe, clean and well maintained by homeowners at all times
- All improvements are subject to approval by GRU and are contingent upon fund availability
Note: A customer may meet the eligibility requirements for this program, but still not qualify if the home does not need improvements that are eligible for this program. This will be determined when GRU performs the home survey.
How to Apply
Step 1: The Home Survey and Certificate of Recommendation
- Submit a Low-income Energy Efficiency Application and Income Certification Form (verified by agency) to GRU
- If customer is eligible, a GRU representative will contact customer to schedule a pre-repair home inspection
- GRU will complete a pre-repair home inspection and provide customer with:
- Certificate of Recommendation - list of recommended improvements
- List of GRU LEEP Contractors
- Customer has 30 days after receiving the Certificate of Recommendation to submit at least two estimates to GRU
Step 2: Submitting Estimates to GRU
- Contact GRU LEEP Contractors to schedule an appointment to visit customer home
- Customer must get at least two estimates for all recommended work listed on Certificate of Recommendation
- Submit the following to GRU no later than 30 days after receiving Certificate of Recommendation
- Copy of Certificate of Recommendation
- Copies of estimates
Step 3: Getting the Work Done
- If approved, GRU will send customer a voucher that will be valid for the selected contractor
- Customer will schedule repairs with contractor
- Work must be completed within 30 days of issuance of the voucher
Step 4: Project completion
- After contractor completes the repairs to the customer's satisfaction, customer will sign voucher and give it to the contractor. Customer should be sure to get necessary warranties from the contractor
- GRU will schedule visit to customer home to inspect repairs, install CFLs and provide customer with mandatory energy training
- Contractor will submit voucher to GRU for payment
- GRU will pay contractor
Note: GRU reserves the right to randomly inspect all work.
Forms
Questions?
For additional information, please view the Low-income Energy Efficiency Guide or call our Conservation Services Department at 352-393-1460.
