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Residential Energy Resources

Improving household energy efficiency helps conserve resources, lower utility bills and improve comfort and resilience. Average temperatures and the number of extremely hot days are also on the rise, and this directly effects energy consumption. Below are a variety of resources for residents who may be looking for energy efficiency upgrades, energy conservation tips or utility bill assistance.

Utility Bill Assistance Programs

Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP)

This program, administered by Orange County for Orange County and City of Orlando residents, may be used to help eligible households in meeting the costs of home energy.

Emergency Home Energy Assistance for the Elderly Program (EHEAP)

This program assists low-income households, who have at least one person who is 60 or older, with home energy emergencies, such as a delinquent bill, recent receipt of a shut off notice or a lack of needed fuel.

Heart of Florida United Way

In collaboration with public utilities such as the Orlando Utilities Commission (OUC—The Reliable One), Duke Energy, the City of Winter Park Utilities and Lake Apopka Natural Gas District, HOFUW offers emergency residential utility assistance. Call 211, text 898 211 or chat online at hfuw.org/chat to connect to existing resources.

OUC Power Pass

This program allows residents and small business customers to prepay in a pay-as-you-go model for utilities to stagger payments and monitor usage. Power Pass customers do not pay a deposit or incur late fees.

Christian Service Center Utility Assistance Program

The Christian Service Center can assist qualifying families and individuals, who reside in Orange County, with one-time financial assistance to help pay rent and/or utilities.

Lowering Your Energy Bill

How much energy is used for each area of our home is different. Knowing where our energy is being used can help when looking to create efficiency and making conservation decisions.

Air conditioning and electric heating 52%
Water heater 17%
Refrigerator and freezer 8%
Lighting 5%
Washer and dryer 4%
Everyday plug ins 4%
Range and oven 2%
Dishwasher 1%
For irrigation and other cosmetic appliances 7%

Learn more on how to save on your energy bill below.

Tips to Save Money at Home

Saving money on your energy bill doesn’t have to be complicated. These helpful tips can help you get started on your energy efficiency journey.

OUC In Home Conservation Assessments

OUC offers free assessments of your home so you can find potential improvements that can save money on your energy bill.

OUC Efficiency Delivered

OUC can help provide funding for energy and water efficiency upgrades for your home by determining upgrades and even having a trusted professional help perform the work.

Duke Home Energy Check

Duke customers can take the Home Energy Check to save money on their energy bills by finding out energy efficiency improvements in their home or rebates based on eligibility.

Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP) Orange County

The Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP) aims to reduce the monthly energy burden on low-income households by improving household energy efficiency.

Orange County Senior Climate Efficiency Program

The Orange County Senior Climate Efficiency Program (SCEP) serves to provide low-income seniors (60+) in Orange County with air conditioner replacement, service or system upgrades.

Financing Tools

Solar Energy Loan Fund (SELF)

SELF is a nonprofit community lending organization providing favorable financing for assorted home improvements that can help save money, increase equity and home value, improve hurricane resistance and enhance comfort and livability.

Property Assessed Clean Energy (PACE)

The Property Assessed Clean Energy (PACE) program helps home and business owners remove high upfront costs and provide low-interest financing to make energy or water improvements, increase resilience or adopt clean energy.

Income Qualified Upgrade Programs

OUC Efficiency Delivered

OUC can help provide funding for energy and water efficiency upgrades for your home by determining upgrades and even having a trusted professional help perform the work.

Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP) Orange County

The Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP) aims to reduce the monthly energy burden on low-income households by improving household energy efficiency.

Orange County Senior Climate Efficiency Program

The Orange County Senior Climate Efficiency Program (SCEP) serves to provide low-income seniors (60+) in Orange County with air conditioner replacement, service or system upgrades.

City of Orlando Housing Rehabilitation Program

City of Orlando assists qualified homeowners with repairs to help correct conditions that may threaten the health and safety of occupants.

Rebates and Tax Credits

OUC Residential Customers

OUC offers numerous rebates for residential upgrades that save water and energy, from insulation and windows to energy star appliances and water saving toilets.

Duke Residential Customers

Rebates are available to Duke Energy residential electric customers residing in single-family homes, mobile homes, townhomes or duplexes.

State and Federal Tax Credits and Incentives

Federal Income Tax Credits

Various tax credits are available to homeowners through 2032, allowing up to $3,200 annually to lower the cost of energy efficient home upgrades by up to 30 percent. The U.S. Department of Energy has a list of eligible equipment types and the associated federal tax credit(s) available.

State Incentives

The Database of State Incentives for Renewables and Efficiency contains information on resources available for Florida residents. These include a Solar and CHP Sales Tax Exemption and Property Tax Abatement for Renewable Energy.

Medical Alert and Storm Resilience

Emergency Home Energy Assistance for the Elderly Program (EHEAP)

Orange County Senior Climate Efficiency Program

The Orange County Senior Climate Efficiency Program (SCEP) serves to provide low-income seniors (60+) in Orange County with air conditioner replacement, service or system upgrades.

OUC Medical Alert

This program is offered to customers whose electrical service is medically essential. Customers requiring life-sustaining equipment (such as heart monitors, oxygen concentrators, feeding pump, in home dialysis, etc.) can rely on OUC to provide special consideration for their accounts.

Preparing and Understanding Extreme Heat

With temperatures on the rise, Orlando sees an increasing frequency of extreme heat days, which are any days over 90 degrees. Understanding the symptoms of heat sickness and tips for staying safe is critical. Learn more about how to understand these symptoms and ways to minimize this risk.

OUC Special Needs Registry

Orange County residents with disabilities, medical or mobility problems can register with the Special Needs Program. Which provides transportation assistance and special medical shelters during disaster situations. To sign up or to learn more, Orlando and Orange County residents should contact the Orange County Special Needs Program at 407-836-9319.