On Wednesday, August 24, 2022 at 9:00 am, Senator Sharif Street (D, PA 3rd District) will hold a press conference at ECA’s headquarters at 106 West Clearfield Street to launch the Philadelphia Water Heater Emergency Fund. The Senator championed support for the Fund, which is being established at ECA, with a grant of $150,000 from the Pennsylvania Department of Human Services. Additional support for the emergency fund, and training for emerging workers in Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning fields is provided by: Bank of America, Bradford White Charitable Fund, the Green Family Foundation, Johnson Controls, Inc., the W.W. Smith Charitable Trust. Also scheduled to appear: Congressman Dwight Evans (D, PA), Senator Christine Tartaglione (D, PA 2nd District), and Representative Danilo Burgos (D, PA 197th District).
ECA’s Heater Hotline team receives numerous calls each week from low-income families who have no hot water. These include many senior citizens who are long-term homeowners whose homes are their greatest financial asset. Oftentimes, these families are heating water on their ranges for bathing and household cleaning, carrying water up and down stairs.
Senator Street stated: “This program will increase the safety and affordability of the homes of low-income families and help preserve the transfer of generational wealth as gentrification continues to change the landscape and diversity of Philadelphia. In addition, we will be installing heat pump water heaters which will help our city meet its goals for electrification.”
Water heater replacement is not covered under current low-income energy programs. These appliances do not last as long as home space heating units, and replacement units are typically cost-prohibitive for low-income households.
With funds currently available, nearly 100 replacement units have been installed in the homes of Philadelphia residents, with additional funds being sought. ECA’s Heater Hotline team receives client intakes from seniors and other vulnerable adults up to 300% FPL. ECA solicits bids for this work with a strong preference for minority contractors.
ECA’s mission is to help people conserve energy and promote a sustainable and socially equitable energy future for all. Each year, for low-income families, ECA weatherizes 800 homes; repairs/replaces 5,000 heaters; provides energy counseling and bill payment assistance to 6,000 families; and delivers do-it-yourself, home weatherization workshops to 2,000 people. Each year, ECA trains 500 men and women, whose diversity reflects the city we serve, for clean energy jobs with a bright future.
For more information on the press conference, contact Christopher M. Petersen, Director of Business Development: E – cpetersen@ecasys.org, P – (267) 257-6118.
For information on a replacement water heater, call the ECA Heater Hotline, (215) 568-7190