Community Connections
Lower your Utility Bills
Think of Community Connections as long-term energy assistance. We give you the upgrades your home needs to save on energy, and you pay less on the cost of electrifying your home over time.
NeighborWorks® Toledo Region offers the Community Connections program to eligible homeowners and renters to assist them with reducing their energy bills by providing energy-efficient LED light bulbs, smart power strips, carbon monoxide detectors, refrigerators, and deep freezers. We partner with First Energy—Toledo Edison® and Ohio Partners for Affordable Energy to provide the Community Connections program in eligible households throughout Lucas County to decrease their energy consumption and the monthly cost of powering their homes.
This program is in alignment with our mission of providing opportunities for Toledo's families to live affordably and without the burden of costly utility bills. We're here to assist you as you embark on your home energy efficiency journey.
Eligibility
Homeowners and renters that apply must have incomes at or below 200% of the federal poverty level. Applicants must also be able to provide:
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income verification
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their most recent electric bill
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necessary authorization forms
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if applicable, a signoff from their landlord
See more details about the application process below.
Energy audit
After you submit your completed application, we will schedule an energy audit at your residence to measure your refrigerator's energy outputs (and, if applicable, we'll measure your deep freezer, too). If we find that you're in need of a new refrigerator, your replacement will be scheduled for installation at a later date.
Conservation measures
While we audit your refrigerator, we will install energy efficient LED light bulbs, carbon monoxide detectors, and smart power strips. These work to keep your electric bills low while reducing *phantom energy usage. You may be able to save between $50-90 per year on your electric bills by using a single smart power strip!
Start saving on your electric bills
With a reduced energy output, you can start saving on electric bills. Once your project is complete, talk to a family member or neighbor about the program and help them connect with us. Together, we can make Toledo an energy efficient city., free of the burden of costly energy bills.
Start your project
Click the button to open our pre-application. Fill out all of the information and gather the required documents listed. You can drop off a print version of your pre-application, or scan/snap photos of it and email it to dsmith@nwtoledo.org.
Have a question before you submit a pre-application? Fill out the form below to speak directly with our energy coordinator.
Why is home energy efficiency important, and how can I save on my electric bills?
When you make upgrades to your home to improve its efficiency, your energy costs decrease. Minor home maintenance tasks—like regularly changing your furnace filter—can improve the performance of your home's energy systems. Skipping out on performing preventative home maintenance can be costly in the long run.
Imagine your refrigerator has a leaky air seal—your fridge would have to work extra hard to keep your food cold while its cool air leaks out. While your fridge works overtime, the amount of energy you use in your home increases, putting a big strain on your monthly bills.
Want to learn more?
Check out these blog posts to read all things energy. From conservation, to phantom energy, to general home maintenance, keep coming back to our site to read new blog posts each month!
