South Portland Launches New Free Home Energy Assistance Program

Jennifer Kloss
Published Aug 14, 2026


South Portland has launched a new home energy initiative designed to help 50 local households lower their energy bills and make their homes more energy-efficient through free weatherization assistance.

What the Program Offers

Both homeowners and renters in South Portland are eligible to apply. The program takes a hands-on, multi-step approach:
  1. Initial Call: City staff from the sustainability office will speak with applicants to understand their home's specific energy needs.
  2. Professional Energy Assessment: An energy auditor will perform a free 1-hour home assessment to inspect heating systems, air leaks, and insulation, helping residents prioritize necessary fixes.
  3. Hands-On Weatherization: Local contractors and sustainability staff will return for a follow-up visit (lasting up to 4 hours) to make basic, immediate improvements. They will provide free supplies and help with tasks like sealing cracks around doors and windows and insulating pipes.

Extra Support for All Residents

Starting in September, the sustainability office will hold weekly office hours on Mondays from 4:00 PM to 5:30 PM.

These sessions are open to all South Portland residents—not just program participants—to ask questions about available energy rebates, tax credits, and efficiency options.

Program Partners and Funding

Created in collaboration with Age Friendly South Portland, the program is funded by a grant from the Maine Community Foundation and support from the American Association of Retired Persons (AARP).

Volunteers will also be handing out free home weatherization kits at local city events throughout the summer and fall.

Applications are currently being accepted on a rolling basis.

-

Need help with your down payment? Find resources and assistance here!
 


Related Articles

South Portland Launches New Free Home Energy Assistance Program...

South Portland has launched a new home energy initiative designed to help 50 local households lower their energy bills and make their homes more energy-efficient through free weatherization assistance. What...

Three Government Programs That Can Help You Buy a Home With Little or No Down Payment...

Buying a home in today's market is harder than ever. Home prices are near record highs, and mortgage rates have more than doubled since the pandemic. To make matters worse, wages ha...

What Veteran Benefit Can Help You With Your Housing Needs?...

Every year, thousands of veterans miss out on a government program that could save them significant money when buying a home. In 2024 alone, more than 58,000 VA home loans went unused, representing nearly $2...

New Bill Could Help First-Time Homebuyers With Up to $15,000 for Down Payments...

On June 11, members of the Senate Finance Committee brought back the Decent, Affordable, Safe Housing for All Act, also known as the DASH Act. If this bill gets approved, first-time homeb...

Trump Accounts: A New Way to Save for Your Child's Future...

What Are Trump Accounts? Trump Accounts are a new type of savings account created by federal law in 2025, designed to help families start saving money for their children early in life. Think of them as "...

Can We Expect Mortgage Rates to Drop to 5% Again Soon?...

Mortgage Rates Have Been All Over the Place If you've been trying to buy a home lately, you've probably noticed that mortgage rates keep bouncing around. Earlier this year, the average 30-year fixed mort...