Energy Services

Energy and Environmental Services


The Energy and Environmental Services Division is committed to assisting low to moderate income households reduce their energy burden, improve the health and safety conditions of occupied housing and to foster client self-sufficiency. In support of these goals, we provide the following services in Humboldt County: energy efficiency retrofits, health and safety repairs, utility and energy assistance, lead-based paint abatement, client education & advocacy, and other services to people in need.

We also serve Modoc County eligible residents once per year for weatherization services only.

Utility Assistance Programs

WATER BILL ASSISTANCE

NEW PROGRAM FOR 2023: we now provide help with your water bills  through a program called LIHWAP (Low Income Home Water Assistance Program). This program takes calls Monday through Friday, from 9:00 am to Noon. Call (707) 444-3831 Ext. 201

 

ENERGY BILL ASSISTANCE

RCAA provides help with your heating bills through a program called HEAP or LIHEAP (Low-income Home Energy Assistance Program). We provide assistance with your PG&E bill, wood, propane, and heating oil.
For HEAP / LIHEAP help, call (707) 444-3834 on Monday mornings between 9:00 a.m. and 12:00 p.m. as long as you haven't already received assistance from us in the past year.
** If you have a shut-off notice from PG&E (15 day & 48 hour), also call this number, (707) 444-3834 on Monday mornings between 9:00 and 12:00.
** Please be patient. If you get a busy signal, just keep hitting redial as everyone who needs assistance is calling this number during this time. When our appointment slots are filled for the week, you will hear a recording advising you to call back next week.
** For eligibility questions, call (707) 444-3831 x201 or x206. Please leave a message with your name and phone number if we do not pick up, we will call you back.
 


EFFECTIVE 4/1/2023
We will not be adding any new senior clients to the senior list at this time as our funding has run out for adding new clients to that program. If you are already on the senior list and have not been contacted yet,  please be patient as the Intake Specialist works their way through the list (the list goes by age, with the oldest being contacted first).

If you are a senior who is new, and is not on the current senior list, you can still get help with your power bill by calling the HEAP line on Monday mornings starting at 9:00 a.m. Follow the instructions above for Energy Bill Assistance

Weatherization

RCAA provides weatherization services to income-eligible households. The Weatherization Program provides high-quality energy efficiency and weatherization services for income-qualified low to moderate households. The services are available for qualified renters and homeowners..

RCAA crews employ the latest technology to identify the most energy saving methods for reducing energy waste, air pollution and related energy costs for the client. Crews also test appropriate appliances for health and safety issues.

Some of the measures we may offer include:

  • Carbon Monoxide testing of all combustion appliances

  • Installation of a Carbon Monoxide Detector

  • Minor home repairs such as: repairing or replacing broken doors, windows, and other health and safety related issues

  • Lighting Retrofits including: Replacement of standard light bulbs with energy-saving compact fluorescent light (CFL) and LED bulbs, or hard wired fluorescent fixtures

  • Replacement of standard shower head and faucet aerators with water-saving devices

  • Replacement of inefficient refrigerators (that are manufactured prior to 1998) with an Energy Star refrigerator

  • Installation of range hoods in mobile homes, as needed

  • Installation of a programmable thermostat when possible

  • Duct repair and replacement

  • Installation of attic, floor, and duct insulation to reduce heat loss

  • Heater and Water heater repairs/replacements

  • Microwave Replacement

  • Toilets

As the cold weather approaches, most families across the country are turning up their thermostats to combat dropping temperatures. For low-income families, however, cranking up the heat is not always an option. These families pay 14.4% or more of their annual incomes for energy compared with only 3.3% for other non low-income families. The Weatherization Program is available to help make low-income households more energy efficient.
 

Monthly Income Guidelines for 2023

These income guidelines are for our Weatherization, Heap, and Utility Assistance programs

  • Family of 1: $2,700.17

  • Family of 2: $3,531.00

  • Family of 3: $4,361.83

  • Family of 4: $5,192.75

  • Family of 5: $6,023.59


Online Forms

Please speak with staff at the Energy office before downloading these forms. These forms are not for the HEAP (Home Energy Assistance Program)
Application documents submitted without having done so cannot be accepted.

How do RCAA's programs affect you?

  • Natural Resources Services (NRS) works directly with Humboldt County community leaders, schools and parents to improve safety and encourage more children to safely walk and bicycle to school. NRS helps coordinate both the Greater Eureka and Humboldt County Safe Routes to School Task Forces.
  • Teaching preschoolers oral health care is a result of the TOOTH program.
  • The Natural Resources Services works with community members, civic groups, and local jurisdictions to enhance neighborhood street tree planting and support the development of community forests for public access and watershed protection.