Habitat for Humanity of New Castle County (HFHNCC) has initiated a statewide effort to provide new, energy-efficient refrigerators to low-income Delmarva customers in Delaware. Working in collaboration with the Habitat affiliates in Sussex County and Central Delaware, HFHNCC is piloting a statewide refrigerator replacement program conducted through all three Habitat’s ReStores. The Restore Refrigerator Replacement Program is made possible through a $500,000 Energize Delaware Empowerment Grant.
The Habitats of Delaware expect to collectively provide a total of 450 low-income Delmarva customers with an Energy Star certified refrigerator during the course of the program. About 1 in 7 Delaware families are cost-burdened when it comes to paying for utilities. In providing applicants with an energy-efficient refrigerator, this collaboration will help reduce energy bills and improve the quality of life.
By saving an estimated 432,875 kilowatt hours over an 18-month period, the program is expected to ease the burden of low-income households by producing an annual savings of $127 for qualified applicants. Applicants who qualify can expect their local affiliate to deliver their new refrigerator and remove their old refrigerator for recycling.
