2025–26 HEATING ADVICE

TO STAY SAFE AND SNUG

AND SAVE MONEY

Falling temperatures, falling snow. Rising heating expense.

Fuel to heat our homes can mean high bills. And heating increases the risks of fire, explosion and carbon monoxide poisoning. But a heating system that works efficiently can mean more warmth, more safety—and more money left for other things.

The Evansville-Vanderburgh County Building Commission, Evansville Fire Department, Vanderburgh County Township Fire Departments, American Red Cross, CenterPoint Energy and your local heating and air conditioning contractors want to alert the citizens of Evansville and Southwestern Indiana to the dangers of carbon monoxide poisoning and fire from malfunctioning furnaces, a blocked flue or chimney, a broken gas or propane line, frozen pipes, or incorrect use of electric heaters.

Cold weather can cause damage to your furnace, gas piping, flue or chimney. We are recommending that all citizens have their furnaces, space heaters, ranges, water heaters, gas lines, chimneys, flues and other heating equipment checked by a licensed heating contractor without delay. An early inspection (or a review now!) will protect yourself and your family this winter and save on heating bills.

Carbon monoxide replaces the oxygen in the air we breathe. When fuel-burning equipment is operating and the vent or chimney is blocked, there is not enough air to keep the chimney draft flowing properly and furnace heat exchanger functioning efficiently. Carbon monoxide attaches its victims silently and cannot be seen by the eyes. If you suspect a carbon monoxide problem, leave your home and phone 911 or CenterPoint Energy for assistance.

Families in Evansville and across the country have died, or been killed, by carbon monoxide poisoning, and many others have become seriously ill. Symptoms may be similar to the flu, including headache, weakness, dizziness, nausea and shortness of breath. There may be chest pain, confusion and fatigue. But you may also feel no symptoms at all.

Always use a portable generator outdoors, at least 20 feet from the house, and direct the engine exhaust away from windows and doors. Don’t use a range or oven for heat. Candle fires also have killed families. Be careful when using generators during power outages and after that! And make a family fire escape plan.

The American Red Cross reminds you to use supplemental heating sources as directions state. Don’t use extension cords or power strips with space heaters.

Help alert your family with working smoke alarms and carbon monoxide alarms. Consider installing gas leak alarms. Regularly test the alarms and change any batteries, and replace the alarms as directed. Your local fire department may be able to check your alarms and replace them free.

THEY CAN HELP

Evansville Urban Enterprise Association offers free carbon monoxide alarms and smoke alarms, while supplies last, to residents of the Enterprise Zone and the areas outside the zone who have not received them in the past. Phone (812) 426-2490.

The American Red Cross will provide in-home disaster and home fire safety education, test your smoke alarms and help repair or install up to four, and supply specialty alarms for the deaf and hard of hearing. Phone (888) 684-1441.

Community Action Program of Evansville (CAPE) handles the Indiana Weatherization Assistance Program in Vanderburgh, Posey and Gibson counties. (Every county in Indiana has an agency for the weatherization program.) CAPE may repair or replace faulty heating equipment and make other energy-efficient improvements. CAPE also helps with home utility bills. CAPE has income limits. Phone (812) 425-4241.

Memorial Community Development Corp. offers both general and short-term home repairs. Homes must be owner-occupied, and there are income limits. Phone (812) 424-8627 or email housing@memorialcdc.org

Community One assists homeowners with major home repairs, including furnace repair or replacement, roof repair or replacement and accessibility ramp construction. A homeowner must be the deeded owner of the home and help pay for the project as able. Phone (812) 213-4202 or email info@community1.org

Affordable Housing Trust Fund Advisory Committee may provide a forgivable loan of up to $25,000 to a qualified homeowner for needed housing improvements. The program may repair or replace heating units and make other winter-related improvements. The owner must occupy the home and meet income and other qualifications. Phone the Department of Metropolitan Development at (812) 436-7823.

Indiana Energy Saver Program, launched in 2025, helps homeowners, tenants and landlords save on energy-efficient upgrades like heat pumps, electric appliances and insulation. The program offers two types of rebates: The Home Efficiency Rebate (HOMES) provides savings to both single-family and multifamily residents on whole-home retrofits achieving a minimum 20 percent energy savings. The Home Appliance Rebate (HEAR) provides extra savings to low-income and moderate-income households for appliance upgrades. Participants can find a qualified contractor, submit information on eligible products and installation by a qualified contractor. Phone 855-4 IN SAVES (855) 446-7283 or visit indiananergysaver.com.

CenterPoint Energy offers free home energy assessments and on-the-spot upgrades to homeowners and renters and has details on energy-saving products and rebates for purchases of qualifying furnaces, smart thermostats and insulation. If qualified, you may be eligible for a free furnace tune-up or replacements for natural-gas-fueled equipment. Phone (866) 240-8476 or visit centerpointenergyresidents-southwest-indiana.clearresult.com.

Handy Chore covers home weatherization items, install smoke alarms and carbon monoxide alarms, provide fire extinguishers, make some windows and doors weather tight, and inspect storm doors and outer doors. Handy Chore serves homeowners who are disabled or at least age 60. Phone SWIRCA & More at (812) 464-7817.

Faith-based organizations, social agencies and township trustees may help with heating bills and other needs. Phone 211.