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New COUNTY Heating Assistance Program

2/3/2023

A new heating assistance fund called Keeping Cumberland County Warm is available to income eligible Scarborough residents. This one-time grant program is federally funded and allocates $50,000 for each municipality in Cumberland County. Project GRACE is supporting the grant program administration in Scarborough by facilitating the application process. The application period is open from now through April 10. Find all of the program details and a downloadable application here. Paper applications are available at Town Hall or Scarborough Public Library. Project GRACE is also available to initiate an application over the phone; call (207) 883-5111 or visit our volunteers in person at scheduled dates at the Scarborough Public Library.

Project GRACE will be at the Scarborough Public Library to take applications and answer questions. SCHEDULE

Download Application

Check Income Eligibility First, Please

Tips to Snug Up A Drafty Home

2/3/2023

We hope you're warm and cozy today. There's a lot you can do to make your home warmer, to save you money and fuel. To snug a drafty window or door, draft stoppers are easy to make, but if DIY is not your thing, a rolled up towel works just as well. Or put a layer of shrink film, plastic shower curtain, sheet, etc. between the window and drapes. (If your budget is too tight for supplies, give us a call at 883-5111.) You can pick up a copy of Efficiency Maine's new tip booklet at the Scarborough Library (they're over by the bulletin boards). For long-term fixes, Efficiency Maine can help weatherize your home. FMI here: www.efficiencymaine.org

Have you tried any of these easy and inexpensive fixes? Got any other ideas for us? We'd love to hear'em!

Put on a sweater, fuzzy slippers or warm socks, or knit yourself a cozy blanket to warm your body, not the whole room.

Close the door! Your Mamma told ya not to heat the whole outdoors, and she knew a thing or two! Remember to close closet doors and close off unheated areas of your home, too.

Apply a window-insulator kit to reduce drafts and create an extra thermal barrier. (Don't forget to close curtains after dark, and open them during the day to let the sun in for solar gain.) You'll feel warmer, tool. >>See how to do it.

Seal air leaks in and around your home (vents, windows, and doors are common problem areas). You can apply caulk, foam, weather stripping to stop air leaks. >>Learn more about weatherization.

Install foam gaskets to seal receptacles and switch boxes. It's an inexpensive and very easy DIY to reduce drafts. >>See how to do it.

Check your heating vents to be sure they aren't obstructed by furniture, clutter or curtains. If your ducts are blocked, the room won’t heat the way it’s supposed to, causing the unit to work harder and less efficiently.

Make sure your boiler or furnace is cleaned and serviced annually by qualified personnel to extend the life and efficiency of the heating system while ensuring safe operation.

Turn the thermostat only to the desired temperature. Your home won't heat any faster by cranking it up. Consider getting a programmable thermostat that adjusts to your schedule.

New COUNTY Heating Assistance Program

Tips to Snug Up A Drafty Home

Neighbors Helping Neighbors

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