Steady Advance in Weatherization Technologies

Since 1999, DOE has been encouraging the network of weatherization providers to adopt the whole-house approach whereby they attack residential energy efficiency as a system rather than as a collection of unrelated pieces of equipment. (Credit: Economic Opportunity Research Institute 1993) [click on the image to see a larger version.]

Weatherization technologies include a wide range of energy efficiency measures for retrofitting homes and apartment buildings. Weatherization service providers choose the best package of efficiency measures for each home based on an energy audit of the home.

In the 27 years experience of the Weatherization Assistance Program, these technologies have grown from measures like caulking and weatherstripping to addressing the whole spectrum of energy-consuming systems in low-income homes.

• National Energy Audit Tool
• Insulation
• Blower Doors
• Air Sealing
• Windows
• Heating
• Water Heaters
• Air Conditioning and Warm Climate Weatherization Measures
• Electrical Appliances and Weatherization Base Load Measures

Energy Efficiency Fact Sheets for Homeowner and Weatherization Recipients

EERE's Buildings Technology Program publishes a range of information on energy-saving strategies for homeowners:

• A Guide to Making Energy-Smart Purchases
  DOE's Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE) publishes this fact sheet as part of its "Consumer Information" series; 9 pp.; last updated January 2002.
  
  
• Energy Savers—Cool Summer Tips
  DOE's Building Technologies Program publishes these low- or no-cost suggestions for saving money on energy bills during the summer; 3 pp.
  
  
• Energy Savers—Hot Winter Tips
  DOE's Building Technologies Program publishes these low- or no-cost suggestions for saving money on energy bills during the winter; 3 pp
  
  
• Weatherize Your Home: Caulk and Weatherstrip
  EERE publishes this fact sheet as part of its "Consumer Information" series; 11 pp.; April 2001.

For Weatherization Service Providers and Energy Professionals

Over the past few years, many weatherization providers have promoted the concept of "whole house weatherization." Under this concept, providers tackle the house as a single energy-consuming system, rather than a loose collection of unrelated systems. Using this approach, these providers can find the best combination of measures for reducing total energy consumption in low-income housing.

You can find a wealth of information about this whole-house approach and about putting the components together to make it happen from DOE publications and Web sites:

• Single-Family Residential Building Weatherization (PDF 136 KB) Download Acrobat Reader.
  DOE's Federal Energy Management Program has outlined its approach to whole-house weatherization; 4-pp., September 1998.
  
  
• Building Components Overview DOE's Building Technologies Program publishes this portal (entry Web page) to a wealth of information on the components of energy-efficient buildings systems.
  
  
• Periodicals That Cover Energy Efficiency Topics
  EERE publishes this fact sheet as part of its "Consumer Information" series; 4 pp.; last updated October 2002.
  
  
• Saving Energy and Money at Home
  DOE's Building Technologies Program publishes this portal Web page (entry Web page) about strategies for saving energy in residential buildings.

Another good source of information is found in the 1993 - 2000 archives of Home Energy Magazine.

Printable Version