Community action agencies throughout Rhode Island are offering no-cost energy audits and free energy-conservation services such as home insulation, window and door replacement, weather stripping and caulking for low-income homeowners and renters.

The services are being made available as a result of the recent distribution by the state Office of Energy Resources of nearly $15 million in federal stimulus funds for home-energy conservation.

Since the 1970s, community action agencies in Rhode Island have weatherized about 80,000 households, according to Paula McFarland, executive director of the Rhode Island Community Action Association. She said about 12,000 houses still need to be made more energy-efficient.

Also, McFarland said the bad economy and job losses are making more people eligible for the assistance than the agencies have seen in the past.

“Lots of people who never qualified now find they do qualify,” McFarland said.

As an example, last year the South County Community Action Agency said it spent $600,000 weatherizing 118 homes and replacing 21 boilers. This year it has $1.48 million in stimulus funding that will allow it to do work on at least 200 households.

Each house will be audited first. Then the necessary improvements will be done at no charge. Even heating systems and old refrigerators may be replaced with energy-conserving models if they are found to be inefficient or can’t be repaired.

“This is a fantastic program that enables people who may be struggling with high energy costs to upgrade their homes and appliances — even their light bulbs — at absolutely no cost to them,” said Joseph DeSantis, head of the South County agency.

Households receiving heating assistance are automatically eligible. A single person earning no more than $25,971 is eligible. Two-person households may earn up to $33,962; three can earn up to $41,953; four can earn up to $49,945; and five may earn up to $57,936.

South County residents should call the South County agency at 789-3016, ext. 300.

Residents of Woonsocket, Pawtucket, Central Falls, Lincoln or Cumberland should call Blackstone Valley Community Action at (401) 723-4520. In Cranston, Foster, Scituate or Coventry, call Comprehensive Community Action at (401) 467-9610. Residents of Newport, Portsmouth, Tiverton, Middletown, Jamestown and Little Compton should call East Bay Community Action at 847-7821.

Residents of East Providence, Warren, Bristol and Barrington should call East Bay Community Action at (401) 437-1000. Providence residents should call Providence Community Action at (401) 273-2000. Residents in North Providence, Johnston, North Smithfield, Smithfield, Burrillville and Glocester should call Tri-Town Community Action at 351-2750. Residents of Warwick, West Warwick and East Greenwich may call the Westbay Community Action at (401) 732-4666.

Overall, state officials expect that $12.2 million going to the community action agencies will weatherize 1,696 houses. Another $2.3 million is going to contractors who work with higher-income homeowners to improve their energy efficiency by 25 percent or more. Up to 25 percent of the cost of such work, or $2,500, whichever is less, will be covered by state grants. Contractors interested in this program should look at www.purchasing.ri.gov.

plord@projo.com