Pennsylvania expanded its state’s pilot program for cooling homes this summer through the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program.

This is the second summer in a row the state will be allocating funds from LIHEAP to help assist homes with air conditioning units, including installation expenses, and repair or replacement costs. Depending on the household audit results, some homeowners may qualify for a free air conditioning unit.

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While the regular LIHEAP season closed in May, state officials extended the deadline for the LIHEAP Crisis Cooling Pilot, closing the pilot program on August 31, which was set to end at the start of May.

Eligible residents can apply if they have already qualified for LIHEAP or received money from the Weatherization Assistance Program in the past 12 months, which is part of the state’s $45.5 billion budget that was passed this month.

Interested Pennsylvanians must be living at 150% or 200% of the federal poverty level, and the program gives priority to high-risk residents like families with children, the elderly, disabled individuals, or households who need high energy.

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Over 2,000 households received aid last summer, according to the state Department of Community and Economic Development, which runs the pilot program.

Residents interested in seeing if they are based in a qualified area should contact the Energy Coordinating Agency and Philadelphia Housing Development Corporation or go to a local Neighborhood Energy Center to apply.