Weatherization provides a lasting solution to high energy bills by addressing the cause through energy efficiency. |
It's a fact: weatherization works! In the 27 years since its founding in 1976, U.S. Department of Energy's (DOE) Weatherization Assistance Program has provided weatherization services to more than 5.3 million low-income families. It is a record of service to some of society's neediest citizens that also benefits our nation by reducing our energy dependency, improving the environment, and stimulating economic development in low-income communities.
Through this program, weatherization service providers install energy efficiency measures in the homes of qualifying homeowners free of charge. These are not expensive upgrades—the average cost is $2,672 per home—but they are effective, and energy savings pay for the upgrades within a few years. DOE documents the savings and compares them against costs, so that over the years it can determine the efficacy of these measures.
DOE provides funding and technical guidance to the states, but the states run their own programs and set rules for issues such as eligibility. They also select service providers, which are usually nonprofit agencies that serve families in their communities, and review their performance for quality. Together, this group of almost 1,000 agencies makes up a nationwide weatherization network.
For a complete list of program benefits, see the fact sheet published by DOE's Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE) titled Weatherization Works! (PDF 329 KB). Download Acrobat Reader.
|
){kind=small}
