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U.S. Weatherization Assistance Program - Low cost (to FREE) energy savings for families

post #1 of 8
10/22/09 at 9:24am
Thread Starter 
If you're already thinking it's too cold this winter, and would like to weatherize your home, but don't have the funds, then the The U.S Department of Energy (DOE) offers a Weatherization Assistance Program that could help.

In the last 32 years has provided assistance to more than 6.2 million families. The Weatherization Assistance Program enables low-income families to permanently reduce their energy bills by making their homes more energy efficient. How the program works is, “Weatherization service providers install energy efficiency measures in the homes of qualifying homeowners free of charge. These are not expensive upgrades—the average expenditure limit is $2,826 per home—but they are effective, and energy savings pay for the upgrades within a few years.”


Savings to you: On average, this weatherization program can reduce your heating bills by 32% and overall energy bills by about $350 per year at current prices.


Are you eligible?

The DOE estimates that around 20 to 30 million U.S. families are eligible for services. Home owners and renters may qualify and if you get Supplemental Security Income or Aid to Families with Dependent Children than you are automatically eligible. Preference is given to those 60 years or older, families who have one or more members with disabilities, and families with children. Mainly they’ll go by your income to see if you qualify. If you are eligible you may get things like a microwave for low energy cooking, caulking for cracks in your home, a wrapped water heater and more.


Contact your local state weatherization program to see if you are eligible and to learn how to apply.


If you can’t get assistance through the DOE you might qualify for:

  • Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP)
  • Help from a local energy supplier - many offer assistance programs. Programs vary though so contact your local provider and ask about consumer assistance in paying your bill.

I don't know much about weatherization programs in other countries, but maybe some other people will post links here.
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post #2 of 8
9/20/10 at 5:35am

I was one of the lucky ones to qualify for this program through a local organization.

I received blown-in recycled newspapers as insulation (25 bales worth) batt insulation

on the ceiling of my basement, new doors, new energy efficient windows and frig.

They also installed roof vents, and last winter was the first winter here (15 years)

that I didn't have snow and ice sickles on the roof.

My electrical and gas heating bills have been reduced drastically.

Hot, hot summer but my highest bill was $36.00 and my highest gas (heating) bill

last winter (although lots of cold/snow) was $22.00.

Even if members here don't qualify; I would strongly recommend insulation.

It has the quickest payback and with the savings you see, you can save up

for better windows/frig. In most cases, that means burning less coal. 

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post #3 of 8
9/21/10 at 4:55pm

Thanks for sharing this information. Last year my family experience an energy increase that was just unreasonable. During the coldest months of the year, January and February, our heating cost went from $150.00 a month, the year before, to $300.00 a month last year. I had no idea that there was weatherization assistance available, for those who qualify.

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post #4 of 8
10/19/10 at 1:46pm

As far as I can tell, the Property Assessed Clean Energy program would be the best way to finance energy efficient upgrades. Fannie and Freddie don't like it and I've been working with our state Senators and Representatives to see if we can get the program back on track. You can find out more about the program here - http://www.veic.org/resourcelibrary/PACE.aspx or feel free to ask me about it.

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post #5 of 8
10/20/10 at 9:11pm

Energy Assistance Program was terrific for me.  New Energy Star Whirlpool refrigerator too!  Then less than a year later I was red-tagged (unsafe building).  Now that fridge is chained up.  Excellent program but I sure wish they could have seen the future of that building.

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post #6 of 8
10/21/10 at 1:45pm

this is a great program! I think I read that maine is leading the way, which makes sense I suppose, since it is probably one of the colder states. there is so much that can easily be done for weatherization, even without government money.

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post #7 of 8
10/25/10 at 8:35am

if I bake anything I always try to leave the oven door open so that the heat and go into the apartment. Works well in the winter, wouldn't suggest it in the summer. haha

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post #8 of 8
10/26/10 at 4:51pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by dryernet View Post

Another good way to conserve energy is to use the dryernet.  It uses the heat from the dryer to help heat the home.  Checkout dryernet.com



As I mentioned earlier, I was red-tagged.  As in vamoose.  As in OUT!  If I ran a duct over the courtyard to my apartment from the commercial dryers where I am about 70 tenants would like my head on a plate!

 

In the condo I owned 18 other people shared 1 dryer.  Nice idea, but not easily done in many homes.

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