LiTtle bear I get it's hard to actually admit it to yourself let alone accept some ideas so your doing a fantastic job!

Contact your energy or water company for the utility grant, they send you out a simple form you fill out and send off. There are conditions you have to meet but there are a few and you should meet one of them. They are up to $500 for two utilities so to$1000, but they may only approve a certain percentage but anything is a help.
I'll let you know if I think of anything else. Chin up your doing all the right things.

Oh also keep in contact with all the companies. They are a lot more lenient and helpful if you keep the lines of communication open I find, which I have found out the hard way a few times.