Serving Charlotte & Gaston County

Your home could qualify for up to $30,000 free.

Energy Advocate Carolinas connects NC families with the Energy Saver NC program — free home upgrades, zero out of pocket, federally funded. Most people who qualify have never heard of it. We're changing that.

$208M
Federal funding allocated for NC homeowners
2031
Program end date — first come, first served
$30K
Maximum home upgrades per qualifying household
$0
Out of pocket for Tier 1 qualifying families

We close the awareness gap.

Millions in federal funding sits unused every year because qualifying families don't know this program exists. Energy Advocate Carolinas was built to fix that — through education, outreach, and hands-on application support.

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Community Education

We deliver plain-language presentations at churches, nonprofits, senior centers, and community organizations — explaining exactly who qualifies and what they can receive.

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Direct Outreach

Our team canvasses neighborhoods in target zip codes, engages community organizations, and works social media channels to reach the families who need this program most.

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Application Assistance

We sit with families and walk them through the full Energy Saver NC application — income verification, household documentation, and online submission from start to finish.

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Community Partnerships

We partner with trusted local organizations to extend our reach into communities that are hardest to access — building referral networks rooted in existing trust.

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Digital Qualification Tool

Our proprietary AMI calculator lets any homeowner check their eligibility in under 60 seconds — no personal info required, built on official HUD data for all 100 NC counties.

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Targeted Zip Code Strategy

We use GIS and property data to identify pre-2000 owner-occupied homes in high energy burden areas — focusing every effort on the neighborhoods with the greatest need.

Check your eligibility in 60 seconds.

No personal information required. No commitment. Just enter your county, household size, and income to see exactly what tier you qualify for — and what it means for your home.

All 100 NC Counties — built on official 2024 HUD AMI data from Energy Saver NC's published income limits.
Instant Tier Result — see whether you qualify for Tier 1 (100% coverage) or Tier 2 (50% coverage) immediately.
Zero Personal Info — no name, address, or contact details required. Just your numbers.
Built for communities — designed for field use by our outreach team to qualify families on the spot.

Simple from start to finish.

From checking eligibility to having upgrades installed — the process is straightforward. We're here to guide families through every step.

1

Check Eligibility

Use our free AMI tool to confirm your household qualifies in under 60 seconds.

2

Apply Online

We help you complete the full Energy Saver NC application — income docs, household info, and submission.

3

Free Home Visit

A certified assessor visits your home at no cost to document what upgrades your home qualifies for.

4

Review & Approve

You review the full project scope and approve before anything moves forward. No pressure, no surprises.

5

Upgrades Installed

A certified contractor completes the work. The program pays them directly. Your energy bill drops.

More families qualify than you think.

This is not just a program for families in financial hardship. Working and middle-income households in Charlotte and Gaston County qualify — and many don't know it.

Tier 1 — Full Coverage

Below 80% Area Median Income

100% Free

Every eligible upgrade is fully covered. Equipment, labor, installation, and permits. The program pays the contractor directly — you pay nothing.

  • Gaston County, family of 4: up to $84,800
  • Mecklenburg County, family of 4: up to $97,800
  • Zero out of pocket — $0 owed
  • Stacks with Duke Energy Smart$aver rebates
Tier 2 — Partial Coverage

80–150% Area Median Income

50% Covered

Program covers 50% of eligible project costs. Duke Energy Smart$aver rebates stack on top, and remaining balance can be financed through Duke's on-bill program.

  • Gaston County, family of 4: up to $159,000
  • Mecklenburg County, family of 4: up to $183,750
  • Duke Smart$aver adds up to $5,075 more
  • On-bill financing available for the balance

⚡ Automatic Tier 1 Qualification — No Income Check Required

If anyone in your household currently receives any of the following benefits, you qualify for 100% coverage automatically:

Medicaid SNAP / Food Stamps SSI TANF / Work First WIC LIEAP Section 8 / Housing Voucher Medicare

Built for the communities that need it most.

Energy Advocate Carolinas was created specifically to reach underserved neighborhoods in Charlotte and Gaston County — communities where awareness of this program is lowest and the need is greatest.

We don't wait for families to find us. We go to them — through social media, door-to-door canvassing, community presentations, and partnerships with organizations that already have the community's trust.

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Nonprofit & Church Partnerships

Working with Crisis Assistance, Hopes Helping Hands, Habitat for Humanity, and faith organizations across Gaston County.

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Social Media Education

TikTok and Facebook content targeting qualifying homeowners in our service area with plain-language program education.

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Door-to-Door Canvassing

Targeted outreach in pre-2000 owner-occupied neighborhoods identified through Gaston County GIS and Mecklenburg Polaris.

Target Zip Codes
28052Gastonia Central
28054Gastonia South
28056Gastonia SW
28208West Charlotte
28216NW Charlotte
28212East Charlotte
28120Mount Holly
28012Belmont
28032Cramerton
Community Partners
Crisis Assistance Ministry Hopes Helping Hands Gaston DHHS Habitat for Humanity Gaston Community Action Salvation Army Gaston Cancer Services Gaston

Don't leave your upgrade on the table.

Check your eligibility in 60 seconds. No personal info. No commitment. Just your number.