After the sharp plummet in temperatures in the last few weeks, it’s clear that this winter’s deep freeze has come, and it’s not going anywhere for a while. These cold, dark months can be frustrating, but they can also be expensive.

With an old housing stock and only a few alternative heating options, Maine is the most heating-oil dependent state in the country. High heating oil prices can create some difficult situations. Too many Maine families face the unfortunate dilemma of “heat or eat” — that is, they can either put food on the table or keep the house warm, but they can’t do both.

The Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP) is a resource to help folks avoid that dilemma. HEAP is a fund that helps Maine families pay for heating fuel when they otherwise wouldn’t be able to do so. It can be an invaluable resource for those with low or fixed incomes, those with young children, and for our seniors.

Penquis handles HEAP applications for Penobscot County (as well as Piscataquis and Knox). Homes heated with oil, kerosene, coal, pellets, wood, LP gas, or electricity all qualify for this program. Call their HEAP appointment line at 207-973-3630 or 1-800-215-4942 to find out if you qualify. For more information visit: https://www.penquis.org/services/heating-utilities/heating-assistance-li….

Households that qualify for HEAP also qualify for the Energy Savings and Supportive Services program, which provides each participating household with a free energy savings kit, a free home energy assessment, and tips on how to save on energy costs. Those who stay enrolled in the program for one year will receive additional help with heating costs.

If you don’t qualify for HEAP, there are other resources out there to help you save money on your energy bills. Efficiency Maine offers rebates for various energy saving home improvements and appliance upgrades, and curates an up-to-date list of vendors and retailers who participate in their programs. You can learn more by visiting their site: https://www.efficiencymaine.com/at-home/.

Another great resource, Window Dressers, is a local organization that uses teams of volunteers to builds custom, low-cost window inserts that can help you save big on your heating bills. The inserts are installed inside of your existing window, and add a layer of insulation on your windows. In a typical house, 10 inserts can save an average of 105 gallons of heating fuel every year, which at today’s prices would be about $300. Folks who qualify for programs like SNAP, HEAP or the food pantry can get 10 window inserts, free of charge.

Window Dressers holds workshops around the state where volunteers and customers work together to build the inserts. The next workshop in our area will be at the Bangor Unitarian Universalist Church, 120 Park St, Bangor from Jan. 28 – Feb. 2. For more information, to sign up to volunteer, or to place an order for next season, email volunteer coordinator Christine Seibert at christy.seibert@gmail.com.

Stay warm this winter, and make sure you check on your friends and neighbors.

As always, if you have any questions or comments, I’d like to hear from you. I can be reached by email at JamesDill207@gmail.com or by phone at (207) 287-1515.