Program that helps Central NY households fix, replace heating equipment not available this winter

Syracuse, N.Y. — A federally funded program that helps low-income Central New York households repair or replace broken heating systems will not be available this winter, state and county officials said.

The Heating Equipment Repair and Replacement program, known as HERR, assists households with fixing or replacing furnaces, boilers and other heating equipment to ensure they have reliable heat during the winter.

The program provided up to $4,000 for repairs or $8,000 for replacements, according to the state website.

Last year, 104 Onondaga County households were approved for HERR assistance, according to county spokesperson Justin Sayles. More than 300 people applied, he said.

The state and county officials note that HERR benefits closed on May 9, and that the Clean and Tune program, which offers maintenance and cleaning for heating systems, will also be unavailable this year.

The State Weatherization Assistance Program which helps low-income families reduce energy costs and improve home efficiency through conservation measures is also not available this year due to a decrease in federal funding.

County officials are urging residents who need heating assistance to apply for Emergency Temporary Assistance instead.

HERR is part of the broader Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP), which helps low- and moderate-income residents pay their heating bills. This year, HEAP is delayed because of the federal government shutdown.

With HEAP funding already delayed by weeks, the state said there isn’t enough money to support furnace repairs, replacements or other program components at this time.

Last winter, more than 1.5 million households statewide, including about 52,000 in Central New York, received HEAP benefits totaling $21 million in the region, according to Gov. Kathy Hochul’s office.

New York typically exhausts its federal HEAP funding by mid-March, but high demand last winter depleted the funds by late January. The program was later reopened after officials reallocated $35 million from other accounts.

The state is now facing what the AARP calls an energy affordability crisis, with more than 1.2 million households more than 60 days behind on their energy bills.

“Now is not the time to delay heating assistance,” said Beth Finkel, AARP’s state director. “New York State is in the middle of an energy affordability crisis, with more than 1.2 million households currently over 60 days behind on their energy bills.”