Obama’s $5 Billion Dollar Weatherization Plan (insulation)

March 5, 2010 - PRLog -- President Obama and Congress just allocated $5 billion dollars into the Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP), a 30 year old branch of the Department of Energy (DOE).  The WAP provides aid to low income families to use toward weatherization services (insulation and sealing) in their homes. Nationwide our homes consume 40 percent of our total energy consumption.  Increasing the efficiency of older homes reduces fossil-fuel consumption, creates jobs and encourages new contractors to build more energy efficient homes.  

The energy efficiency of homes can be increased by insulating exterior walls, caulking points of air infiltration and replacing old appliances.  Over the past 30 years the DOE has split an annual amount among the 50 states and weatherized roughly 5.6 million homes.  The amount allocated to each state is calculated with a formula that includes the population and the number of heating and cooling days for that state.  The government then determines if a home is eligible for weatherization based upon the income level of the home compared with the federal poverty levels.  With more funding, $5 billion dollars to be exact, and guideline changes state officials expect that and increased number of homeowners will be eligible to apply for the weatherization services.

The new level of funding is forecasted to weatherize an additional one million homes compared with the previous budget and provide each state with 10 to 30 times more funding.  The increased budget will create jobs manufacturing and installing everything from insulation to caulk.  The President has set a goal to weatherize one million homes, and with this new budget the DOE hopes to reach this goal.

So you want to be one of the one million to receive weatherization assistance?  How do you know if you qualify?  One of the primary factors of eligibility is income.  It is estimated that 20 to 30 million of U.S. families qualify for assistance.  Services are provided by the states and each state has different criteria for qualification.  You are automatically eligible if you receive Supplemental Security Income or Aid to Families with Dependent Children.  Some states also give preference to people over 60 years, families with one or more members with a disability and families with children.  

How does the process work?  First contact a local weatherization agent.  States keep up to date lists of local weatherization agencies, most are nonprofits that employ energy professionals.  Secondly, go to an agency and fill out an application form which usually takes around 20 minutes.  You must provide proof of income for the previous year and answer a few questions about your household.  Third, your eligibility will be determined and you will be put on a waiting list if you qualify.  People most in need will be moved to the top of the list.  Fourthly, you will have a professional energy consultation including an analysis of your energy bills and a test to determine air infiltration.  Finally, the work will be scheduled with an average expenditure of $6,500 per home.  The work will be completed in a day or two and you will sign off on the final inspection.  

Contact your local weatherization agency to begin the process today!

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