New Mexico Energy$mart

WHAT IS THE NM ENERGY$MART PROGRAM?

The NM Energy$mart program is a federal and state funded grant program that helps New Mexicans with low incomes to significantly reduce their energy costs. It works to improve their health and safety by implementing energy-saving measures in their homes. The program is administered by New Mexico Mortgage Finance Authority (MFA) through community-based nonprofit organizations statewide. Funding comes from the U.S. Department of Energy, the State of New Mexico, the Federal Low Income Housing Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP), PNM, NM Gas Company and Xcel Energy.

WHERE DO I APPLY?

To apply for the NM Energy$mart program, fill out an application with the organization that serves your county or Pueblo. If you meet the income eligibility requirements, you will be notified as to when you can expect weatherization services to begin. If current year funds have been exhausted, you may be placed on a waiting list to have your home weatherized, until funds become available. For details about the NM Energy$mart Program, contact the organization serving your county or Pueblo listed below, or contact the MFA toll-free statewide at 1-800-444-6880.

WHAT IS MY COST?

Because the program is for low-income families, the services are free. However, because the program is so popular and funding is limited, you may be placed on a waiting list when you apply for services.

DO I QUALIFY?

Whether you own or rent, live in a single-family home or a mobile home, you can apply for assistance. If you rent, your landlord must sign an agreement that gives you certain tenancy protections.This agreement must be signed before weatherization services can be performed. In addition, the landlord must contribute towards the cost of the weatherization.The landlord may request a waiver due to hardship. Preference is given to persons over 60 years of age, persons with disabilities, and in some cases, families with children. If someone in your household receives Supplemental Security Income (SSI) and/or Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (TANF), you are automatically eligible.You may also be eligible for assistance if your income falls within the federally established income guidelines. An example of income limits is provided below. In some cases, if you qualify for services you may be placed on a waiting list until funding becomes available.

Household Size Maximum Income

1 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$21,660

2 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$29,140

3 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$36,620

4 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$44,100

5 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$51,580

6 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$59,060

7 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$66,540

8 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$74,020

Contact the organization serving your county listed on the back of this brochure for income ranges.

WHAT CAN I EXPECT TO BE DONE IN MY HOME?

After performing an energy audit, a trained WAP inspector will determine the best energy conservation measures for your home, based on your heating and cooling needs.The inspector will meet with you to explain how the weatherization crew will conduct the work.You should ask any questions you may have at this time about the work to be done.Throughout the weatherization process, the health and safety of your household remain a priority. After the weatherization work is completed, an inspector will return to make certain that everything is working properly.

Some typical weatherization work that may be done to your home includes:

  • Stopping air leaks by weather-stripping and caulking around doors and windows and replacing broken glass panes
  • Insulating vulnerable areas to stop air leaks
  • Tuning up or repairing the furnace or heating unit (replacements may be made in cases where extreme health and safety conditions exist)
  • Installing carbon monoxide detectors
  • Replace incandescent bulbs with CFL’s which use 75% less electricity, and last up to 10 times longer than traditional incandescent bulbs
  • If your water heater is more than five years old, and is located in an unheated portion of your home, an insulation blanket may be installed to reduce heat loss
  • Focusing on energy-related health and safety issues while conducting the work
  • Providing instructions on the care of weatherization materials and simple, low-or-no-cost tips on how to save even more energy and money after the weatherization materials have been installed
  • Possibly replacing an older high-energy consuming refrigerator with an energy-efficient one

FOR MORE INFORMATION:

For the counties of Cibola, Colfax, Curry, DeBaca, Guadalupe, Harding, Los Alamos, McKinley, Mora, Quay, Rio Arriba, Roosevelt, San Juan, San Miguel, Santa Fe, Taos and Union, and the Pueblos of Zuni, Acoma, Laguna, Jicarilla, Santa Clara, Ohkay Owingeh,Taos, Picuris, Nambe,Tesuque, Pojoaque and San Ildefonso, contact:

Los Amigos Educational Resource Center
1549 6th Street, Santa Fe, NM 87505-3473
PHONE: 505.983.7743
TOLL FREE: 1.888.303.7743
www.LosAmigosercinc.org 

For the counties of Bernalillo, Sandoval,Torrance and Valencia, and Pueblos of Cochiti, Isleta, Jemez, San Felipe, Sandia, Santa Ana, Santo Domingo and Zia, contact:

Central NM Housing Corporation
703 Osuna Road, NE, Suite #2, Albuquerque, NM 87113
PHONE: 505.345.4949
TOLL FREE: 1.877.345.4949
www.centralnmhousing.org

For the counties of Catron, Chaves, Doña Ana, Eddy, Grant, Hidalgo, Lea, Lincoln, Luna, Otero, Sierra, Socorro, and the Mescalero Apache Reservation contact:

CAA of Southern NM 3880 Roadrunner Rd., Suite A, Las Cruces, NM 88011
PHONE: 575.523.1639
TOLL FREE: 1.866.789.2381
www.caasnm.org