Funding available for furnace tune-ups

ALBANY — The New York State Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance today announced that $2 million in funding is available to help low- and middle-income households get their heating equipment inspected and cleaned prior to the start of the heating season. Applications are now being accepted for the furnace or boiler tune-ups, which can help improve energy efficiency while helping New Yorkers save on heating costs this winter.
The program is federally-funded through the Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP). People can apply at their local department of social services.
Eligible households can receive up to $400, which includes cleaning of the primary heating equipment, but may also include chimney cleaning, minor repairs, installation of carbon monoxide detectors or programmable thermostats, if needed, to allow for the safe, proper and efficient operation of the heating equipment.
To qualify, households must not exceed the program’s income guidelines, which vary by household size. For example, a family of four can earn up to $4,316 a month and still qualify. Additionally, the household must have heating equipment that is more than 12 months old, and the furnace, boiler or chimney must not have been cleaned within the past 12 months.
Applications will be accepted through Nov. 4, or until funding is exhausted. New Yorkers can find contact information for their county department of social services at http://otda.ny.gov/programs/heap/HEAP-contacts.pdf.