A community-based consulting and outreach organization founded in Cramerton, NC. We exist to close the gap between income-eligible families and the state and federal programs built for them — programs that go unclaimed every day because the right people don't know they exist.
We are not a contractor. We do not install anything. We are not a sales organization. We are a community navigator — embedded in the neighborhoods, churches, markets, and organizations that families in Gaston and Mecklenburg County already trust.
"The name you call when the system is complicated, the stakes are real, and you need someone you can actually trust."
Over $200 million allocated to NC for free home upgrades through Energy Saver NC
Most income-eligible families have never heard of it
Contractors can't reach these families — they don't have community trust
Families self-disqualify before ever applying — wrong income assumptions
Program is first-come, first-served — money runs out
Deep community relationships across farmers markets, faith orgs, housing authorities, sports leagues, and parks departments
Field consultants trained to screen eligibility in under 5 minutes
Full application navigation — families pay nothing, do minimal work
Qualified leads handed directly to registered contractor for installation
Cost to any qualifying family · $0 to any referring partner · $0 upfront to the contractor
Energy Advocate Carolinas is based in Cramerton. Our founder lives in these communities. We show up at the same farmers markets, the same churches, the same community events — not to sell, but to serve. That distinction is everything to a family that's been pitched to and let down before.
A contractor showing up at someone's door asking to inspect their home triggers skepticism. A community organization they've seen at church or the farmers market — that they've heard about from their neighbor — gets invited in. We open the door. You do the work.
Many of the families who need this most are wary of government programs — fear of debt, fear of scams, fear of income verification. Our consultants are trained to walk families through every concern and confirm the program is real, safe, and free before anyone's ever mentioned a contractor.
"A contractor can install in a home. We get them invited into the home in the first place. That's the gap no license or certification can close — and it's exactly what EAC was built to fill."
Gaston Housing Authority, INLIVIAN (Charlotte HA), Gaston County Parks & Recreation, City of Gastonia Recreation, Mecklenburg County Parks. Active outreach through HCV/Section 8 landlord briefing programs.
Greater Gaston Baptist Association (dozens of member churches), Gateway Gaston, Little Rock AME Zion Church, Friendship Missionary Baptist. Faith networks are the highest-trust referral pipeline in any community.
Confirmed: Belmont Farmers Market (April 19th). Rosa Parks Farmers Market (Freedom Drive, 28208). Charlotte Regional Farmers Market, Gastonia FM, Mount Holly FM. SNAP-accepting markets = our exact demographic.
Gaston County YMCA, Knothole Foundation (15 Title I schools, West Charlotte), i9 Sports (Gastonia/Belmont), Mecklenburg County Athletics. Game days = families in one place every weekend.
Crisis Assistance Ministry, Gaston Community Action, Charlotte Area Fund, United Way of Gaston County. These organizations already serve income-eligible families — we plug into existing trust.
Metrolina REIA (Gaston subgroup), Charlotte REIA, NARPM Charlotte, Greater Charlotte Apartment Association (1,286 members). Multifamily landlord program — coming soon.
Launching with a full content calendar: eligibility carousels, Reels targeting qualifying families, community event coverage, myth-busting posts. Targeting families in priority ZIP codes 28052, 28054, 28208, 28206.
Every post leads with community, not programs. "Do you qualify? Swipe to find out." Carousels showing exact AMI thresholds. Reels driving DMs and calls. Stories generating weekly eligibility check requests.
energyadvocatecarolinas.com with a live interactive eligibility calculator using verified 2024 HUD AMI data. Any family can check qualification in under 60 seconds — then calls or DMs us.
Every community partner — farmers markets, Gateway Gaston, sports orgs — promotes EAC to their own audiences. One event = coverage to thousands of followers we don't have yet.
In program messaging every post references
Priority ZIP codes targeted in content
Ad spend — 100% organic community reach
EAC identifies qualifying homeowners through events, referrals, social media, and partner organizations.
EACField consultant confirms Tier 1 or Tier 2 eligibility on site. SNAP/Medicaid = instant Tier 1 approval.
EACEAC submits eligibility application. Energy Saver NC schedules free home assessment. Homeowner approves scope.
EAC + ProgramLeading Energy Solutions assigned as registered contractor. All work completed — HVAC, water heater, insulation, panel.
LESProgram issues payment directly to contractor upon verified completion. EAC commission paid from contractor proceeds.
LES → EACAll community outreach and lead generation
Eligibility screening and qualification confirmation
Energy Saver NC application submission
Homeowner communication and expectation setting
Coordinating with program on home assessment scheduling
All paperwork navigation — start to finish
Registered Energy Saver NC contractor status maintenance
Post-assessment contractor quote submission
All permitted installations — HVAC, water heater, insulation, panel
Post-install audit and compliance documentation
Rebate submission to Energy Saver NC for payment
Warranty and quality of work assurance
We bring you pre-qualified, ready-to-install jobs. You show up, do the work you're already licensed to do, and get paid by the program. No marketing cost. No lead generation. No paperwork.
You pay EAC nothing upfront. No retainer, no marketing fee, no setup cost.
Government program pays contractor upon verified installation completion.
EAC commission is paid from contractor proceeds after funds are received.
If the job doesn't get funded — nobody loses anything.
EAC has already built relationships with INLIVIAN and Gastonia Housing Authority — gateway to hundreds of Section 8 landlords in both counties
Landlords with income-eligible tenants qualify for free upgrades to their rental properties — free HVAC, water heaters, insulation, panels
Energy Saver NC multifamily track launching 2026 — we are positioning ahead of the opening
Active outreach to Metrolina REIA (Gaston subgroup), Charlotte REIA, NARPM, and GCAA (1,286 member companies)
One landlord with 10 units = 10 installations. The volume potential per relationship is significantly higher than single-family homeowners