Power Your Savings with AARP™

Power Your Savings with AARP™:
At AARP we are committed to helping you save money, especially as living costs soar while many older adults on fixed incomes do not see such increases mirrored in their income. As part of our effort to support the financial health of older adults and their loved ones, we launched the Power Your Savings with AARP™ program to provide you with resources and practical actions to save money on everyday expenses.

Ready to research energy savings? You’re in the right place.

Keep scrolling on this webpage to learn about:

• Energy assistance programs that help you pay your bills
• Using tax credits and rebates to improve the energy efficiency of your home
• Viewing previous episodes of Power Your Savings with AARP
• Staying safe during the extreme heatwaves California is currently experiencing

State Energy Assistance Programs – Check If You Qualify

• California Alternate Rates for Energy (CARE): Low-income customers can receive a 30-35% discount on their electric bill and a 20% discount on their gas bill.
• Family Electric Rate Assistance Program (FERA): Low-income customers can receive a 18% discount on their electric bill. Available for SoCal Edison, San Diego Gas and Electric, and Pacific Gas and Electric customers.
• Click here to learn more about these programs.

Federal Energy Assistance Programs – Check If You Qualify

• Low Income Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP): Can help you pay off a large bill; provides crisis or emergency assistance for families that have received a shut-off notice; and can help pay for weatherization improvements, such as fixing leaky windows, installing insulation, or repairing air conditioners
• Click here to learn more about LIHEAP in California.
• You can also call the toll-free National Energy Assistance Referral Hotline at 866-674-6327.

Stay Safe During Extreme Heat

• While energy costs can soar during the summer months, it’s important to keep your home at a safe temperature.
• Older adults are more affected by extreme heat than any other population. Extreme heat can make chronic health conditions worse, and negatively interact with medications.
• To learn more about extreme heat’s health impacts, talk with your doctor, and visit Ready.gov for additional information.  
• If you are a California resident, you may have access to cooling centers in your community. The California Office of Emergency Services offers links to cooling center maps in your county.

Research Tax Credits and Rebates for Energy Efficiency Projects

• There has never been a better time to upgrade your home with appliances and projects that may lower your energy bills and keep your home at safe temperatures, thanks to new tax credits and rebates.
• The State of California recommends “The Switch Is On” as a place to research incentives and contractors. “The Switch Is On” is not an AARP website. Any information you provide to the host organization will be governed by its privacy policy.Remember to be a smart consumer when making home improvement decisions. Ask family, friends, and neighbors about their potential experiences. Read reviews of appliances and contractors. And always get 3-5 quotes before starting a project.

To learn more about energy assistance programs and home improvement incentives, check out our previous episodes of Power Your Savings with AARP.

What’s Your Home Energy Score? March 13, 2024
Hear from the U.S. Department of Energy and Bay Area energy experts to learn what a home energy assessment is, how it works, and about potential tax credits and rebates towards home energy updates that may help lower your bills.

Leveraging Tax Credits & Rebates to Lower Energy Bills: October 4, 2023
Thanks to recently passed legislation, there are savings available for those who plan to install energy-efficient upgrades. Watch this webinar recording to learn about these new energy-saving benefits and how you can save money to help improve the quality of life for you and your loved ones.

We invite you to check-back soon for information on additional Power Your Savings with AARP™ webinars that will help support you and your family through these exciting new opportunities to save money and improve the health of your home.

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES:

• AARP Article: Homeowners Can Save More Money With Energy Tax Credits
• AARP Bulletin: 99 Great Ways to Save - The 2023 Beat Inflation Special Edition
• “New Law Helps You Save Money on Energy and Taxes”
• “How to Hire a Home Improvement Contractor”
• “Electric Vehicles, Hybrids, and Gas: Your Guide to the Latest on Cars”
• AARP California Climate Chats
• AARP In Clear Terms Podcast: Understanding Extreme Heat