Payment Assistance

 

The following assistance programs are administered through Community Action Partnership of North Alabama (CAPNA). 

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• LiHEAP: Low-Income Home Energy Assistance

  • Customers may receive assistance one time per season​

    • Heating Season: Nov. 1 - May 31 (This was extended to June 30 this year due to COVID-19)​

    • Cooling Season: June 1 - Oct. 31

  • Additional COVID-19 funds were added to this pool for 2020

  • Qualification guidelines have been relaxed to make more customers eligible due to COVID-19 impact

  • Customers who receive assistance during a heating and/or cooling season may also apply for assistance in future heating and/or cooling seasons

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• Operation: Warm

  • Provided by local utility customers who add $1 or more to their monthly bill

  • Funds are administered by CAPNA

  • Funds are for the elderly, handicapped or those in a health crisis

  • Assistance is available only one time per customer per lifetime

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• Local COVID-19 Relief Funds

  • Provided in part by DU through the TVA Community Care Fund, matched locally by 3M, Renasant Bank and Alabama Farmers Cooperative​

  • Also provided by United Way of Morgan County through Public Supermarket, other sources

  • Available to help with rent and mortgage assistance for those impacted by COVID-19

  • Customers may receive assistance from this fund for rent/mortgage payments AND either LiHeap/Operation Warm for utility assistance

  • Customers may receive assistance from this fund one time only

  • Assistance will be available until funds are exhausted

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Customers wishing to apply for assistance may do so online at www.capna.org or by calling 256-355-7843. Application packets are also available in the front self-service kiosk at DU (1002 Central Parkway SW).

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Summer Energy Efficiency

 

• ​Set your air conditioner thermostat to78ºF (or even higher if you can bear it) and bump it up to 85ºF when you leave for an extended period of time.

• Operate your dryer and dishwasher at night on hot days and let your dishes air dry.

• Avoid heat-generating incandescent lighting and use a microwave, toaster or outdoor grill instead of the oven when possible.

• It’s best to avoid the use of major appliances between 2 and 8 p.m. Why? Appliances generate additional heat - which your cooling unit must overcome.

• Close blinds during the day and open them at night.

• Set your ceiling fans to rotate in a counter-clockwise direction. This will create a “wind chill” effect that make the room temperature feel cooler.

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Winter Energy Efficiency

• Set your heating system thermostat to 68ºF (or even lower if you can bear it) and to 56 - 60ºF when you leave for an extended period of time.

• Setting the thermostat lower will keep your heating unit from working as hard.

• Keeping your home cool at night - and bundling up with blankets, socks and warm pajamas - can help keep your bill a little lower each month.

• Take advantage of solar energy! Open curtains on your south-facing windows during winter days to allow free heat into your home. Close window coverings after the sun goes down to avoid losing that heat!

• Make sure your ceiling fans are rotating in a clockwise direction. Setting the fan to clockwise for the winter will push warm air down and “trap” it where you want it! Set the rotation speed to a low level.

• Keep your fireplace damper closed unless a fire is burning. Keeping the damper open is like keeping a window wide open during the winter.

• Use a humidifier to add moisture to the air. The air inside your home can become very dry. Moist air feels warmer and holds heat better, so a humidifier can help.

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General Efficiency Tips

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• Caulk and weatherstrip around windows and doors to stop air leaks.

• Make sure you have at least 10” of blown attic insulation over all heated and cooled areas. (Approximately R38)

• Seal gaps in floors and walls around pipes and wiring.

• Service your HVAC unit ANNUALLY and change air filters MONTHLY. Inspect ductwork and repair any gaps.

• Keep your outside air unit clean and clear of debris.

• Keep all windows and doors near your thermostat closed tightly.

• Keep heat sources such as lamps and appliances away from your thermostat.

• Replace incandescent bulbs with compact fluorescents or LEDs – they use 75% less energy.

• Use low-watt bulbs where lighting is not critical.

• Turn off lights, televisions and other appliances when not in use.

• Install aerating, low-flow faucets and shower heads.

• Fix any leaky faucets – one drop per second can add up to 165 gallons a month.

• Wrap your water heater with insulation or install an insulating blanket.

• Reduce hot water use by taking shorter showers and using cold water for the rinse cycle in your washer.

• Download our Energy Efficiency fact sheet.

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