City of Georgetown announces new Weatherization Assistance Program to lower utility bills

Georgetown Mayor Jay Doyle is pleased to announce a new joint initiative designed to help local homeowners lower their utility bills and improve home comfort, safety, and energy efficiency.

Through a collaborative partnership between the City of Georgetown, Santee Cooper, Habitat for Humanity, The Sustainability Institute, and the Waccamaw Economic Opportunity Council, local residents can now access home energy audits and weatherization services.

“Our goal with this program is to provide tangible relief to homeowners by making energy-saving improvements affordable,” said Mayor Doyle.

Final costs to participating homeowners will vary based on household income. Grant funding, rebates, and low-interest loans on select products are available to help offset costs.

Program options and eligibility

The initiative features two distinct programs tailored to residents’ financial and household needs:

Program 1: Income-Qualified Assistance

This program provides energy efficiency and weatherization services exclusively to income-qualified households.

• Priority Focus: Elderly residents, households with children, and homes requiring immediate safety repairs.

• Selection Process: Based on an initial energy audit and structural inspection.

• Covered Services: May include free energy audits, air sealing, insulation upgrades, HVAC repair/replacement, water heater replacement, air filter replacement, and minor furnace or air-conditioning tune-ups.

Program 2: General Residential Program

Funded by the City of Georgetown with audits completed by Santee Cooper, this program features no income restrictions and is available on a first-come, first-served basis until funds are exhausted.

• Benefits: Includes an energy audit and access to flexible, low-monthly-payment plans to complete recommended repairs.

• Available Rebates: Offered on smart thermostats, qualifying Energy Star HVAC equipment, duct sealing or replacement, and other select Energy Star-approved products.

How to apply

Interested residents are invited to attend an upcoming informational session on Friday, July 10 at 5:00 pm to learn which program they qualify for and to receive an application. The information session will be held in the City Courtroom located at 2222 Highmarket St., Georgetown, SC.

For more information regarding the application process or program requirements, please contact the City of Georgetown at 843-545-4007 or email [email protected].