United Way of Lancaster County will partner with Brubaker Inc. to bring back the Warm Home, Warm Hearts program after a one-year hiatus. This will be the fourth year of the program, which provides a heating system update to one family chosen through an application process.

United Way of Lancaster County utilizes Warm Homes, Warm Hearts to bring awareness to fuel poverty and energy burden in the community. A household is in fuel poverty when family members struggle to afford the energy required for adequate warmth and other essential energy services. Energy burden is the ratio of income to energy costs; for some, energy costs can peak at 30% of a household's income. Health issues arise when an individual is unable to access the appropriate temperature in his or her home to stay warm in the coldest months.

Applications must be submitted by Sunday, Dec. 31, at midnight. A committee of individuals appointed by United Way of Lancaster County's Award Committee will review each application.

The winner, along with the individual who nominated him or her, will be notified no later than Friday, Jan. 12, 2024, via the person's preferred method of contact. If the winner is ineligible for the heating system repair or replacement, United Way will contact the household selected as a runner-up.

To apply, visit http://www.uwlanc.org/warm-home-warm-hearts/.