DTE's free energy upgrades: How to get them and who qualifies

DETROIT (FOX 2) - The winter weather is arriving in Detroit and, on the city's east side, a few people are a bit warmer because of DTE's Energy Efficiency Assistance Program.

Mose Primus is one of those participants. His furnace barely survived the 2021 flood and his high energy bills were costing him in other ways too. 

"I would have to turn my heat up to 90 to have a nice warm house," Primus said. "I can’t get the medicine because I have to pay a bill."

But Primus enrolled in the DTE Energy Efficiency Assistance Program and received a furnace, hot water heater, and more – all for free.

How the DTE Energy Efficiency Assistance Program works

DTE says the program is changing lives of low-income applicants and is also making their homes more efficient.

Participants can confirm if they're eligible (scroll down for those details), and then contact a participating organization (listed here). A visit will be done to identify what needs to be done. based on that visit, a licensed contractor will then be sent to install the updated equipment.

DTE Energy Efficiency Team manager Jose Goncalves said it's changing lives.

"DTEs Energy Efficiency Program are state programs a mandated program that we utilize and utilize those funds to provide across all of our customers, both residential, small business, even large industrial customers with energy efficiency upgrades this year alone for our low income customers we provided over $63 million worth of benefits," he said.

The funds for the updated equipment comes from customers: when you pay your DTE bill, part of it goes into a fund. 

"It’s a component of our utility bill that contributes to our energy efficiency programs," Gonclaves said.

Who qualifies for the program?

DTE's program is available based on income

• 1-person household: $30,120
• 2-person household: $40,880
• 3-person household: $51,640
• 4-person household: $62,400
• 5-person household: $73,160
• 6-person household: $83,920
• 7-person household: $94,680
• 8-person household: $105,440
• More than 8-person household: add $10,760 per person

DTE learned of Primus' situation through the Heat And Warmth Fund. Now his neighbors in the Yorkshire Woods Community are receiving grant money for upgrades.

"As a result, residents (and) homeowners are getting furnaces, hot water, heater, air conditioners, windows, roof, in some cases," Primus said.