Energy efficiency is a major focus of the weatherization program and recent evaluations show that single-family homes save on average $223 per year in energy costs. But there are many other significant and inspiring benefits that weatherization provides.
These co-benefits include improved indoor air quality with less mold and dust; better sleep; reduced asthma symptoms and emergency room visits, among others.
Reduced Energy Bills
Using a combination of insulation and replacement windows, the Weatherization Assistance Program makes homes more energy efficient. These upgrades save low-income households money on their electricity and gas bills. They also help reduce carbon emissions, which contribute to climate change.
National evaluations show that weatherization has substantial health co-benefits, including reduced stress and improved sleep. One study found that families who received weatherization missed fewer days of work and school due to illness. Families saved an average of $514 in out-of-pocket medical costs.
The savings from these energy efficiency measures add up quickly. One study shows that each dollar invested in the program yields $1.40 in energy and health benefits. But the program’s success depends on keeping application processes simple and attracting qualified applicants. Public health scholars can help shape weatherization promotion strategies, while economists can bring behavioral insights to inform marketing and pricing. And legal scholars can assist in navigating the complex laws governing federal programs. Together, these fields can make weatherization a nimble and effective tool to address social determinants of health in communities across the country.
Reduced Medical Expenses
Using the nation’s single largest residential whole-house energy efficiency program, the Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP), the federal government provides funding for low-income households to receive services that improve their home’s energy performance. Households whose incomes meet certain requirements are eligible to have their homes made more efficient with measures such as adding insulation, fixing heating and cooling systems, air sealing, replacing windows, and more.
Standard weatherization measures reduce household energy use by an average of $283 per year, and savings are higher in colder climates and for homes with older heating and cooling systems. These energy savings reduce demand for fossil fuels, reducing greenhouse gas emissions and stress on the power grid.
Additionally, improved indoor air quality resulting from weatherization reduces concentrations of pollutants such as dust mites and mold in the home. This has been shown to reduce respiratory illnesses such as asthma, resulting in significant health co-benefits including reduced medical expenses.
Reduced Asthma Symptoms
Adding insulation and sealing air leaks in your home or building helps to keep the indoor temperature stable and comfortable. This reduces the need to use as much energy to heat or cool your house, which results in cost savings.
Weatherization also helps to prevent moisture build-up and other pollutants that can negatively affect indoor air quality. Poor indoor air quality can cause health issues like allergies, asthma or respiratory problems. Poor ventilation is one of the biggest contributors to indoor air quality issues. A lack of ventilation can cause excessive humidity, which creates the perfect environment for mold, mildew and bacteria. Other common causes of poor indoor air quality include secondhand smoke, pet dander and volatile organic compounds (VOCs).
One study found that combining weatherization-plus-health structural interventions with intensive CHW educational asthma home visit programs led to improvements in the control of childhood asthma symptoms, caregivers’ quality of life and reductions in the presence of household asthma triggers, compared to CHW education alone. While this was an observational study and therefore could not be controlled by a randomized design, the results are still encouraging.
Increased Property Values
A number of energy efficient home improvements can make a building more climate friendly and boost its value. Whole-home weatherization, however, can yield even more benefits for families: It cuts energy waste from heating and cooling, helps prevent health problems, increases a home’s value and reduces carbon emissions.
These benefits are why many states offer weatherization programs to help income-eligible households. But while the U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE) Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP) aims to support homes that are energy-efficient and healthy, the program is grossly underused.
In addition to supporting low-income households, WAP creates thousands of jobs and supports local economies. It also lowers energy burdens, reduces greenhouse gas emissions and stress on the power grid, and makes communities more resilient to climate change. And that’s just the start of it: IREC has recently created a new series of online training for WAP administrative professionals to improve the program’s impact. Learn more about these and other benefits of weatherization here. (1) Matt Sherburne is a Maine Energy Advisor and co-founder of Penobscot Home Performance. He has a background in energy auditing and prior to founding PHP, worked for Penquis Community Action Program as an energy efficiency specialist.
Reduced Carbon Emissions
Weatherization is not only a powerful way to help low-income households save money, but it also reduces carbon emissions and improves air quality. This helps the healthcare system by reducing the frequency of medical visits and the costs associated with chronic conditions that are often worsened by unhealthy indoor environments.
As the nation moves toward a 100% renewable energy future, reducing carbon emissions will also reduce the need for fossil fuels and lower the cost of renewables. In addition to the health and economic benefits, lowering greenhouse gas emissions has the added benefit of helping protect the environment for future generations.
Despite the many benefits, the WAP evaluations found that low-income families did not take advantage of weatherization services to the degree they could have. This needs to change. Public health scholars should use their knowledge of behavioral science to support uptake of the program, while economists can contribute their insights about financial incentives and marketing strategies. Legal scholars can also help shape laws to ensure that programs are implemented smoothly. And of course, the utilities need to be supportive of the many non-energy benefits that weatherization offers.