Environment and Energy Minister Maria da Graça Carvalho will present details on Tuesday about the E-LAR and Bairros + Sustentáveis programs, which have 100 million euros aimed at “making homes more efficient and fighting energy poverty,” announced the Ministry of Environment on Monday.
What is known?
“The program to be launched will focus on replacing inefficient or gas-powered ovens, stoves, and water heaters with electric appliances of class A or higher, and will be open to all consumers,” states DECO PROTeste.
The E-LAR program is “approved by the European Commission as part of the reprogramming of the Recovery and Resilience Plan (PRR) and intends to support consumers in the energy transition by promoting the replacement of old appliances with energy-efficient equipment,” the consumer protection organization recalls.
The measure will have a total budget of 100 million euros for the purchase of efficient appliances.
The programs will be presented at 12:00 PM at the Ministry of Environment and Energy in Lisbon, according to an agenda note sent to newsrooms. The E-LAR program, which provides support to families for the acquisition of more efficient appliances, was expected to start in mid-June.
“Initially, it was planned that the program would cover various types of small and large appliances, such as refrigerators. However, the Ministry of Environment has already confirmed that this support will only be available for the replacement of inefficient or gas-powered ovens, stoves, and water heaters with electric appliances of class A or higher,” says the consumer protection organization.
Who can apply for support?
“All consumers will be able to apply for this support to purchase ovens, stoves, and water heaters,” but “the Ministry of Environment recently stated to DECO PROTeste that the program intends to focus mainly on three fronts.”
They are:
- Vulnerable families with social energy tariffs or receiving minimum social benefits.
- Residents in vulnerable neighborhoods, such as historic or social housing neighborhoods.
- Any other family wishing to improve the energy efficiency of their home.
The value of the support to be granted for the purchase of ovens, stoves, and water heaters is expected to be announced at the launch of the program, which is scheduled for today at 12:00 PM.
“The rules for the acquisition, financing, or installation of appliances are not yet known. However, it is expected that consumers will be able to purchase the equipment from a network of participating dealers, who should sell the stoves, ovens, and water heaters already with a discount,” explains DECO PROTeste.
It is also noteworthy that the “E-LAR program might include partner companies to ensure the collection of old equipment and its delivery to the entities responsible for managing this type of waste.”
The government has not yet “clarified how consumers will be able to access this support. However, like other support programs within the PRR, you may need to present various documents, such as: a bill to verify if you are a beneficiary of the social energy tariff or a residence proof in one of the eligible neighborhoods; an identification document; NIF; photos or the serial number of the equipment to be replaced before proceeding with the exchange,” outlined DECO PROTeste.
