LIHEAP – Get Help With Heating Oil
Home » LIHEAP – Get Help With Heating Oil

With the cold winter months upon us, it’s essential to have heating oil to warm your home. If you need financial assistance, the Pennsylvania LIHEAP program may be a good option.

What Is LIHEAP?

The Pennsylvania Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) offers financial aid to households to help pay for heating oil bills through energy assistance and crisis grants. Situations that qualify for the program include:

  • Heating equipment or leaking lines in need of repair or replacement.
  • Loss of utility service because of unpaid bills.
  • Non-functional heating equipment due to damage to the equipment.
  • The danger of not having fuel — you have less than a 15-day supply.
  • The danger of utility service termination. In these cases, you may receive a notice that your service will be shut off within the next two months.
  • Low home fuel levels.

Help through LIHEAP is available 24/7 and ranges from $500 to $1,500 in heating assistance. The payment will be made directly to your heating company. To be eligible for the program, you:

  • Must be a Pennsylvania resident.
  • Must be in need of income assistance to meet heating costs.
  • Must be able to meet income eligibility standards of income.
  • Can own or rent your home.
  • Don’t have to be on public assistance.
  • Don’t need to have a pending heating bill.

The exact amount you receive will depend on the type of fuel you are using and where you are living. You can find an estimate of what you might receive.

How to Apply for LIHEAP

There are several different ways to apply for LIHEAP:

When you apply, make sure you have all the necessary documents. You’ll need to include information on your application about the people who reside in your household, including their names, dates of birth and social security numbers. You’ll also need to provide your most recent heating bill and proof of household income.

How to Use Marstellar Oil and Concrete on Your LIHEAP Application

At Marstellar Oil and Concrete, we frequently receive payment through LIHEAP. If you get heating oil from us, it’s very important for you to list us as your heating oil vendor on your LIHEAP application to ensure consistent and smooth delivery.

At Marstellar Oil, we go the extra mile for our customers. Unlike many companies that have minimum deliveries of 100 gallons, we have a 50-gallon minimum to make it easier for you to be able to make your payments worry-free. We care about our customers, and we’ll always be willing to work with you to ensure that you have the heating oil you need to stay warm and comfortable during the state’s harsh winter weather.

Tips for Staying Warm and Saving Money This Winter

This winter, give yourself the satisfaction of staying warm while lowering your heating costs. Developing a sound plan can make a difference in your quality of life — even if you already take precautions during the colder months.

1. Make Smart Choices to Stay Warm  

You can keep warm this winter by getting inventive around the house. If you want to feel cozier while saving on winter utility bills, try:

  • Getting comfortable with blankets and sheets.
  • Closing doors and opening shades.
  • Using a humidifier.
  • Optimizing your fans.
  • Eating warming foods.
  • Wearing layers.
  • Keeping floors warm with rugs.
  • Prepping your radiators.
  • Using candles for ambiance and heat.

2. Turn Down the Thermostat

Turning down your home’s thermostat may seem like a no-brainer, but many people don’t think about monitoring their heat until well into the colder months. 

Many homeowners can save up to 10% on their heating bill just by lowering their thermostat as little as 10 to 15 degrees. 

3. Don’t Skimp on Home Maintenance

By keeping up with routine maintenance, you can improve your home’s heating efficiency drastically. Here are some areas in your home you may want to take a look at:

  • Roof
  • Air ducts
  • Hot water heater
  • Chimney
  • Furnace filters

4. Insulate Your House

The most effective way to stay warm this winter without turning up the thermostat is to insulate your house. You can do so by:

  • Insulating your attic: Make sure to inspect your home’s insulation, especially if it’s older. Your attic insulation can help you keep heat from escaping, thus allowing you to save money. 
  • Adding weatherstripping: You may want to consider purchasing weatherstripping if you have gaps in windows and doors. 
  • Sealing gaps: Repair gaps around doors and windows. You can also avoid heat loss by using caulking to eliminate cold wind blowing in.
  • Plugging your outlets: Keep air out of your home by plugging open outlets with child safety plugs. 
  • Installing drapes: Insulated or heavy draperies can help keep heat inside your house in colder months.  

5. Find a Balance 

Look for ways to compromise between your desire to stay warm and save money this winter. By using a space heater to heat your most-used rooms and lowering the thermostat in your house daily, you can save significantly. You might also want to adjust your home’s hot water temperature. Moving it down to as low as 120 degrees can help you save up to 10% on heating costs this winter without sacrificing much warmth. 

Contact Marstellar Oil and Concrete Today

For more information about our services, contact us today. We are a locally owned, independent business that has been serving Central Pennsylvania since 1997 and specializing in heating oil and concrete delivery services. Whatever your needs may be, you can count on us to be a trusted partner. We know the Central Pennsylvania area better than anyone else, and we are committed to providing our customers with high-quality services.

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