There is one more month of winter remaining. Heating your home is still a priority - and an expensive one. But, customers can take advantage of thousands of dollars of free work.
State power companies offer programs where a contractor will come out to a homeowners’ home and conduct a walkthrough to help them save energy.
Homeowner Linda Wagner moved into her home in Columbus two years. She used to use quilts to keep warm. When Wagner downsized, she saw her power bill explode from $300 a month for her old three-story home to $500 for a one-story ranch.
Linda's daughter told her about a variety of programs offered by her power company, PSE&G. Customers can get some of these upgrades and more at little or no cost, depending on their income qualification.
"When I was told it was part of the program and it wasn't going to cost me anything, I was quite shocked,” Wagner said.
"Legislature passed a law in 2018 that makes it a requirement for us to help you reduce your energy savings,” said Susanna Chiu, of PSE&G.
Here's how to save while making your home more energy efficient
Visit your power provider's website and search home assessments. The company will send out a contractor to do a thorough walk-through, which takes 1-2 hours.
Even if a family doesn't meet the income requirement for the free work, other programs enable repayment monthly bills and customers can still save money on the monthly bill.
Here is a partial list of links to programs offered by PSE&G, Jersey Central Power & Light, and the New Jersey Public Board of Utilities: