Weatherization—A Worthwhile Program for Home Energy Savings Or Not?
The Weatherization Program is a government funded social program aimed to aid low-income homeowners and renters to make their homes more energy efficient. Formed under the Department of Energy, weatherization started back in 1976 in response to the oil crisis. The impact of the crisis on low-income families spurred a call to action from the government to try and provide aid and relief for fuel bills that were putting people into debt and some cases poverty. But what does weatherization really do for these homeowners and renters?
Efforts to weatherize began with weather-stripping, caulking doors and windows and putting plastic sheets up over windows to shield from drafts. Over the years, technological updates have caused the weatherization program to shift towards changes that would stay more permanent such as adding insulation to attics, installing storm windows and doors, replacing or fixing hot water heaters and furnaces. Now, the use of audit software makes it so each individual home is assessed and fixed based on each home’s energy need.
Today the national average expenditure per home limit, according to the DOE, ranges between $2744 and $2826. Assuming that those numbers are strictly materials and not including labor, administration costs, benefits and other costs of service, what can you really do to a home to make it that much more energy efficient on such a limited budget? Many of the problems of energy loss are in major areas such as windows, insulation and the roof. These areas require greater financial allocations than what is currently available through the weatherization programs.
According to DOE statistics when a home is weatherized it is supposed to reduce energy consumption on an average of 30% per year.
To qualify for the weatherization program your household income must fall below 150% of the poverty level. In 2005 a family of 3 earning less than $24,1354 would be eligible for weatherization; a family of 4 earning less than $29,025; and a family of five $33,915. Most states prioritize their applicants by age, disability and children. For information on weatherization you may go on line and search keyword “weatherization program”.
Copyright © 2006, Frangipani & Siti Crook, The Energy Efficient Home Team™
Efforts to weatherize began with weather-stripping, caulking doors and windows and putting plastic sheets up over windows to shield from drafts. Over the years, technological updates have caused the weatherization program to shift towards changes that would stay more permanent such as adding insulation to attics, installing storm windows and doors, replacing or fixing hot water heaters and furnaces. Now, the use of audit software makes it so each individual home is assessed and fixed based on each home’s energy need.
Today the national average expenditure per home limit, according to the DOE, ranges between $2744 and $2826. Assuming that those numbers are strictly materials and not including labor, administration costs, benefits and other costs of service, what can you really do to a home to make it that much more energy efficient on such a limited budget? Many of the problems of energy loss are in major areas such as windows, insulation and the roof. These areas require greater financial allocations than what is currently available through the weatherization programs.
According to DOE statistics when a home is weatherized it is supposed to reduce energy consumption on an average of 30% per year.
To qualify for the weatherization program your household income must fall below 150% of the poverty level. In 2005 a family of 3 earning less than $24,1354 would be eligible for weatherization; a family of 4 earning less than $29,025; and a family of five $33,915. Most states prioritize their applicants by age, disability and children. For information on weatherization you may go on line and search keyword “weatherization program”.
Copyright © 2006, Frangipani & Siti Crook, The Energy Efficient Home Team™
posted by Siti | 8:00 AM
0 Comments:
Post a Comment
<< Home