CenterPoint Energy's southwestern Indiana customers are already seeing meaningful savings as a result of the company's new Home Care & Repair program. Since launching in January, more than 850 applications have been received, with 36 households receiving essential repairs and many more in progress.
When Evansville retiree Bill Sigler and his wife bought their home seven years ago, it came with a water heater that was already showing its age. The 23-year-old unit would pop and gurgle each time it kicked on, a sign of heavy sediment buildup after years without maintenance. Living on a fixed income, Bill and his wife knew it would need to be replaced eventually but had been putting it off.
"I was always thinking, that thing's going to go out anytime," Sigler said. "We're retired and on a fixed income. A major repair like that isn't something you can just absorb."
Then Sigler received an email about the Home Repair & Care program, backed by the CenterPoint Energy Foundation's $5 million Community Energy Improvement Fund (CEIF) and implemented by Community One. He applied, and within days, a representative from Community One visited his home to assess the project. By the following Monday, the aging unit was replaced with a new, more energy-efficient 40-gallon water heater at no cost to the family.
"I was surprised that we qualified," Sigler said. "There aren't a lot of programs out there for people in our situation. This saved us money and now we have peace of mind. We don't have to worry about the water heater going out."
A program designed to fill the gap
Since launching, Home Repair & Care has helped CenterPoint customers who may not have qualified for existing assistance programs make critical repairs that reduce energy waste and save money over time.
"Bill's story is exactly why Home Repair & Care exists. Whether it's a new, more efficient water heater, a roof repair or added insulation, these projects are designed to help customers use less energy while making their homes safer and more comfortable," said Mike Roeder, President of CenterPoint Energy Indiana. "We made a commitment to take meaningful action to support our customers and communities, and I'm proud of our local team and the team at Community One for delivering on that promise, helping families make their homes safer, more comfortable and more energy efficient."
Strong demand across region
Since January, the program has seen strong demand from customers across the region:
- 855 applications received from CenterPoint Energy customers
- 521 applications submitted in the first 48 hours
- 36 homes already receiving repairs, with more underway
This high demand reflects significant home repair and energy efficiency needs across the region. Due to the volume of applications, Community One will pause new applications in April to focus on delivering quality improvements for current eligible applicants.
"This program is reaching homeowners who have real repair needs but haven't had a way to address them. When a major home repair is completed it provides neighbors with peace of mind and contributes to their overall stability and wellbeing," said Jessica Welcher, Executive Director of Community One.
Continued commitment to customers
Home Repair & Care is the first initiative to launch under the CEIF, CenterPoint Energy Foundation's $5 million commitment to support weatherization, energy efficiency and cost-saving programs across southwestern Indiana. The Foundation expects to announce additional initiatives soon.
The program builds on a series of Community Affordability Actions CenterPoint launched in October 2025. Since then, the company has introduced additional bill management tools and programs for southwestern Indiana customers and proposed customer protections as part of the Indiana Electric rate case settlement, such as annual late fee waivers upon request, reduced reconnection fees and additional safeguards for medically vulnerable customers.
As repairs are completed, CenterPoint and Community One will share additional customer impact stories in the coming months.
More ways for customers to save
CenterPoint customers can explore additional energy efficiency programs and tools to help manage energy costs at CenterPointEnergy.com/ResourceHub.
About the CenterPoint Energy Foundation
The CenterPoint Energy Foundation provides philanthropic support to meet the needs of communities where CenterPoint Energy customers live and work. The Foundation is funded by shareholders and has no impact on customer rates. More information about the Foundation can be found at CenterPointEnergy.com/Foundation.
About CenterPoint Energy, Inc.
As the only investor owned electric and gas utility based in Texas, CenterPoint Energy, Inc. (NYSE: CNP) is an energy delivery company with electric transmission and distribution, power generation and natural gas distribution operations that serve more than 7 million metered customers in Indiana, Minnesota, Ohio and Texas. As of December 31, 2025, the company owned approximately $46.5 billion in assets. With approximately 8,800 employees, CenterPoint Energy and its predecessor companies have been in business for more than 150 years. For more information, visit CenterPointEnergy.com.
About Community One
Community One is a Christian nonprofit that is transforming the city of Evansville from the inside out by helping neighbors love their neighbors. They do this by connecting and mobilizing people from every corner of the community to serve one another through tangible acts of love. By coming together and helping one another, every neighbor and neighborhood can experience social, physical, and spiritual restoration. To learn more about Community One or to join their efforts through volunteering, donating, or sponsoring a project, visit their website at community1.org or email info@community1.org.
