Whole-home weatherization helps lower energy usage and decrease potential illnesses caused by living in poorly insulated homes. It is also an excellent way to increase a home’s resale value.
The federally funded Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP) provides free energy conservation improvements for income-eligible households. The WAP services include: an energy audit; air sealing; attic and wall insulation; heating system repairs or replacements; and hot water tank and pipe insulation.
Eligibility
Weatherization is a program that helps to reduce energy costs and make homes more comfortable. It offers services such as reducing the use of electricity and heat, insulating attics and walls, replacing light bulbs with low-energy ones, and making other energy saving changes in heating systems, water heaters, and refrigerators. The program can help reduce the cost of utility bills for lower-income families.
The program is funded by the federal government through state agencies, known as grantees, which contract with local providers to perform the work. These providers are typically governments or non-profits, such as community development corporations and housing authorities. The program also offers emergency grants for households in need.
To qualify for the program, households must have incomes below 200% of the federal poverty level. This includes individuals and families who receive SSI or TANF benefits, as well as households with an incarcerated family member. Households that rent or lease their homes are also eligible for the program.
To apply, residents should visit their local weatherization website or contact a provider. They should fill out an application and submit proof of income, such as pay stubs or Social Security payments. The provider will then conduct an energy audit and recommend the best improvements for the home. The contractor will then install the measures and inspect them to ensure they are working correctly.
Services
Typically administered through local community action agencies, human service organizations, or departments of social services offices, the free government weatherization program offers energy conservation measures that reduce home heating costs. Some of these measures include insulation, air sealing and appliance replacements. In addition, the program also provides financial assistance to help pay for high utility bills during cold temperatures. This service is available to homeowners and renters as long as they meet income requirements. The program prioritizes households with elderly, disabled, or young children.
After determining eligibility, an energy audit is performed to determine what upgrades are needed in the home. The energy auditor will walk through the house and inspect appliances, drafty windows, and other problem areas. The weatherization crew will then install the appropriate measures to save energy and money.
Once the work is complete, an inspection will be done to verify that all the improvements have been made. Some local providers may employ their own weatherization crews, while others hire subcontractors to perform the work. The program is funded by a grant from the federal government.
In addition to helping low-income families with their energy bills, the weatherization program also creates local jobs for contractors and trade workers. The program has been shown to improve indoor air quality, increase the comfort of a home, and make it healthier to live in.
Cost
The cost of weatherization services vary based on the type and extent of work done. For example, a full-home weatherization might include building insulation, air sealing, and window replacement or installation of storm windows. These upgrades can significantly reduce energy bills, saving a household up to 35% each year. It also helps reduce greenhouse gas emissions and improves a home’s comfort.
According to a national evaluation of the Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP), households in WAP-supported homes save an average of $372 each year on heating and cooling costs. This translates to one ton of CO2 savings per weatherized household. These savings are significant to households relying on LIHEAP or other energy assistance programs.
Generally, households that have a gross income below 60% of the estimated state median income are eligible for weatherization services. Priority is given to households with elderly, disabled, or children in the household; LIHEAP high-energy users; and households living in single family units.
In addition to helping families cut energy costs, weatherization also benefits communities by creating jobs and revitalizing neighborhoods. Local providers of WAP services can provide information on additional sources of funding for weatherization and other types of home improvement projects. These include local gas and electric utilities, as well as other public and private sources such as philanthropy and community development investments.
Installation
The federal Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP) provides energy conservation measures that are installed in the homes of income eligible households to reduce their home energy costs. Services include air sealing through caulking and weather stripping; attic and wall insulation; heating system repairs or replacement; baseload electric measures such as thermostats and refrigerator replacements; and installation of low-energy lights and a new water tank.
In addition, WAP providers provide a variety of services to assist the household with energy management issues including energy usage review and education, and help with related health and safety matters such as lead paint inspection and mitigation. WAP funding is administered by state government agencies known as grantees, who enter into contracts with local non-profit and private organizations, called subgrantees to perform the actual work in residential dwellings.
The process of getting your home weatherized starts with a free no-obligation energy audit conducted by a local service provider. An energy auditor will conduct a walk-through of your dwelling and identify the specific energy-saving measures that would benefit your house or apartment. Then, a Weatherization crew will come to your home and install the appropriate measures. All Weatherization crew members, whether employed by the local provider or subcontracted by them, are trained and certified. They must also comply with the National Weatherization Standards and Standard Work Specifications.