Weatherization rebates can provide significant savings to qualifying households. But how exactly does the process work?
Home weatherization reduces a building’s energy burden and carbon emissions, especially for low-income households. This is important because energy costs are a major contributor to poverty in the US. Luckily, there are extra financial incentives to make it happen.
Energy savings
Many homes are inefficient, resulting in wasted energy. By upgrading your home, you can reduce your energy use and save money. These upgrades may include adding insulation or replacing your furnace with a more efficient model. This is a great way to lower your electricity bill and help the environment.
In 2022 and 2023, homeowners who choose ENERGY STAR upgrades in combination with rebates can get top-to-bottom weatherization for FREE. This includes insulating, air sealing, and more. These improvements improve home comfort, health and safety while reducing energy costs. Plus, you can claim tax credits.
Income-eligible households spend a higher percentage of their annual income on energy to heat and cool their homes and run appliances. The federally funded Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP) is designed to decrease their energy costs and address safety and health concerns in the home. WAP is the largest residential whole-house energy efficiency program in the nation. As a result of the program, families save on average $372 annually. WAP also creates jobs, fosters economic growth and innovation, and promotes the home performance industry.
To qualify, you must be an ENERGY STAR customer and have Con Edison service. You’ll receive an initial no-cost energy audit to assess your home’s current performance and identify problem areas. Once your upgrade is complete, you’ll be paid back based on how much energy is saved in your home. The upfront cost is covered by Sealed, and you’ll pay back as your savings increase.
Reduced utility bills
For families paying a high percentage of their income for energy to heat and cool their homes and provide hot water, the Weatherization Program provides free home improvements that can help them cut these costs. Typically, these include insulation, duct sealing and heating system repairs or replacements. Interested households can contact their local WAP provider for more information.
WAP is the largest residential energy efficiency program in the country. Funded by the U.S. Department of Energy, it helps low-income homeowners and renters reduce their energy bills through a variety of home improvement measures. The program also addresses health and safety issues in these homes, including reducing mold and air quality concerns.
A number of states and cities offer utility rebates to help offset the cost of these energy-saving improvements. These rebates are available for homes that use electric heating, such as Con Ed Westchester. These rebates are often combined with NYSERDA rebates to provide significant incentives for completing these upgrades.
The program is managed at the state and local levels, so eligibility requirements vary by location. However, many programs have income limitations and preference is given to elderly or disabled residents, households with children, and those with repeated high energy bills. In addition, homes must be single-family or multifamily buildings and have electric heating. Contact your local Weatherization agency to determine eligibility guidelines in your area.
Reduced environmental impact
Performing energy efficiency upgrades to homes can greatly reduce greenhouse gas emissions. In addition to lowering the need for fossil fuels, the improvements can also help families save money. A good way to evaluate the effectiveness of a weatherization program is by looking at its levelized cost per saved energy. This metric is calculated by dividing initial program costs by the expected lifetime of the energy savings.
Low-income households often spend a significant percentage of their income on heating and electricity, and live in homes that are poorly insulated and have inefficient heating systems. Many have reported reducing or skipping other household expenses to afford their energy bills. The Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP) aims to reduce these burdens by insulating homes, repairing and replacing appliances, and installing programmable thermostats and other home efficiency measures.
WAP has a wide range of non-energy benefits, including improving family health and safety, supporting local businesses, and promoting new energy-efficiency technologies. These benefits are a result of the program’s ability to lower energy costs for eligible households and improve their living conditions. WAP also helps revitalize communities and support economic growth.
Aside from reducing energy costs, the Weatherization rebate can also help reduce carbon dioxide emissions and other pollutants. It is also important to work with a qualified contractor for the best results. Some contractors can also handle the rebate and incentive process for you, which can save you time and effort. A helpful resource for finding these incentives is DSIRE, which lists incentives from utilities and state governments. A simple search can uncover utility rebates for duct/air sealing and windows, among other measures.
Increased home value
Many low-income households live in older homes that could be more vulnerable to climate change effects and energy-efficient upgrades can help. However, many are hesitant to invest in these measures due to high upfront costs. To overcome this barrier, federal, state and local incentives exist to help make these upgrades more affordable. The best way to learn about these programs is by contacting a local weatherization contractor. Some contractors can handle the rebate and incentive application process for their clients, making the whole experience smoother.
If you qualify for a rebate, it will appear as an instant rebate at the time of your contractor’s invoice. This rebate is determined by your contractor based on the amount of insulation and air sealing you need. The contractor will deduct it from the total cost of your project.
The PSE Efficiency Boost program offers residential and commercial rebates for eligible customers who use PSE electricity or natural gas to heat their homes. The program is open to homeowners, multifamily building owners, and businesses. To receive the rebate, a homeowner must be a PSE residential electric or natural gas customer and reside in a single-family home.
Although the benefits of Weatherization include reducing utility bills, it also increases the value of your home. These upgrades prevent the loss of warm or cool air, thereby increasing your home’s overall energy efficiency. This makes your home a more comfortable environment for you and your family.