The federal Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP) helps low-income households reduce their energy bills by making their homes more efficient. However, WAP programs are grossly underused.
Poor families often have to choose between buying food and paying their energy bill. But national evaluations of the WAP have found that households experience significant health co-benefits from their weatherization services.
Reduced Asthma Symptoms
Weatherization reduces asthma symptoms and improves indoor air quality by increasing ventilation, sealing leaks, reducing mold and secondhand smoke, and adding insulation. It also helps prevent drafts that can aggravate breathing and make it difficult to sleep. It’s a great solution for people with respiratory illnesses, especially infants and older adults.
National studies show that weatherization significantly reduces the number of times households experience a health event triggered by extreme temperatures. These include cold-related illnesses, asthma attacks and other chronic conditions exacerbated by extreme temperatures.
One study found that a comprehensive program combining an intensive CHW educational asthma home visit program with structural weatherization-plus-health interventions resulted in significant improvements in children’s asthma control and caregivers’ quality of life, as well as reductions in the presence of home asthma triggers, over those achieved by the CHW education alone. However, this study was not a randomized controlled trial, so it was not possible to determine if the increased benefits were solely due to the structural weatherization and healthy homes interventions. Nevertheless, these findings suggest that weatherization may have the potential to generate substantial medical cost savings for the low-income households it serves.
Reduced Emergency Room Visits
Weatherization improves indoor air quality and reduces dust, mold, allergens and other pollutants that can exacerbate asthma symptoms. National studies show that households in weatherized homes experience fewer emergency room visits for respiratory illnesses caused by extreme temperatures.
National evaluations of the Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP) have shown that families save thousands in health and household-related benefits, or non-energy benefits, for every dollar invested in WAP. WAP is funded by the Department of Energy and administered by more than 700 local organizations, including community action agencies and other nonprofits, using in-house crews and contractors.
Healthcare stakeholders often recognize that energy bills can be a stressor on health and wellbeing, but they may not be aware of energy efficiency programs that can help them manage their costs. Program managers should consider reaching out to healthcare workers to educate them about the services their communities offer and how they can refer patients to energy efficiency programs like Weatherization. This could lead to more informed patients who are more likely to get regular checkups and visit their doctor for a diagnosis instead of an emergency room trip.
Reduced Risk of Fire
In addition to savings on energy costs, weatherization can help reduce demand for dirty coal and other fossil fuels. This helps decrease pollution, stress on the power grid and air quality in communities located close to these plants.
Although the primary focus of the Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP) is on improving home energy efficiency, a wide range of health and other non-energy benefits are also seen. These include fewer illnesses, lower emergency room visits, higher property values, revitalization of neighborhoods and economic growth, and more. The DOE estimates that for every dollar invested in WAP, $2.78 in non-energy benefits are received by families.
Those eligible for the Weatherization program are homeowners and renters who live in housing with incomes below 60% of state median income. They must also be current recipients of heating or cooling assistance through the Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP) or other public assistance programs. Local service providers perform the weatherization work. They are required to be certified in advanced energy efficiency techniques and health and safety practices by the HCR.
Reduced Carbon Dioxide Emissions
The energy efficiency upgrades performed in homes through the Weatherization Assistance Program are reducing carbon dioxide emissions from households and lowering stress on the power grid. When coupled with efforts to increase clean energy production, this work is helping reduce the carbon footprint of a sector that contributes a large share of total US emissions.
Weatherization has significant benefits that extend far beyond just reducing household energy bills. National evaluations found that participants who completed weatherization reported improved self-reported health, were better able to afford prescriptions and pay their energy bills, and had higher quality of life in their homes (e.g., reduced intrusion of odors and outdoor noise, warmer indoor temperatures).
In addition to savings and health, weatherization programs are creating thousands of jobs, revitalizing communities, encouraging inner city development and fostering economic growth. These impacts are particularly important for low-income families, which often spend 16 percent of their income on energy costs and live in inefficient housing. By reducing energy costs, weatherization makes it easier for these families to access food and healthcare services, while also lowering environmental impact.
Increased Home Value
Weatherization is the process of protecting a home or multi-family building against cold air in winter, hot, humid air in summer and other outdoor elements. Standard weatherization measures—such as insulating and sealing windows, doors, walls, floors and attics—make buildings feel comfortable year round without wasting energy, saving over $280 per year on average.
National evaluations have shown that people in weatherized homes miss fewer days of work or school due to extreme temperatures and experience fewer medical issues. That’s an impressive return on investment for both families and the economy.
The national Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP) provides funds to state grantees, who contract with local providers—such as community action agencies and non-profits—to provide services. These programs serve both homeowners and renters, as well as multi-family owners who provide housing for income-eligible residents. To receive Weatherization services, a household must first undergo a home energy audit. Then, WAP will determine which services the household needs to save the most energy and money. WAP prioritizes households with children or elderly members and those living on fixed incomes.