With all the negative publicity that government programs have received over the last few years, I want to take a minute to tell you about one that really works the DOE’s Weatherization Program. In the 30 years since its inception back in 1976, it has helped 6.2 million low-income Americans with their weatherization needs. This program not only was a success in helping low-income families save money on heating and cooling their homes, it helped the planet by reducing the demand for electricity, natural gas, LP gas, fuel oils, etc.
Because of this program, qualifying low-income families were able to have their home insulated where need. Because of this program, qualifying low-income families were able to have energy efficient windows installed. Because of this program, qualifying low-income families were able to have their heating and cooling systems repaired and/or upgraded to more energy efficient systems. The average, qualifying, low-income family received free services through private contractors. The average value of those services, per home, was/is $6,500. That’s not an astronomical amount considering the cost of materials and labor but the DOE tracked the energy saving over the years and have found that what has been saved in energy production has more than offset the cost of the program.
A whole new industry has grown up around the DOE’s Weatherization Program. Today, thousands of people work in the low-income weatherization program alone. Thousands more work for companies that offer advice to low-income homeowners on how they can save even more on their energy costs through low-cost measures. Many of the standard energy audits techniques employed today were first developed through the DOE’s Weatherization Program.
The actual program is ran on a state level, with each state setting the rules for such thing as how a low-income family can qualify to take part in the program. The individual states also select the service providers who are usually nonprofits that provide home repair services to needy families in their community. These agencies do quality work; I did work for one before moving up here to Walch’s Mountain. I stopped because I had to be on 24-hour call one week a month and up here, I’m fifty miles from thee people I was serving. Actually, there are over 900 agencies like the one I worked for and those agencies make up the nationwide weatherization program.
For more detailed information on the "Weatherization Assistance Program - The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009," click here http://apps1.eere.energy.gov/weatherization/pdfs/wx_recovery_fact_sheet.pdf ">http://apps1.eere.energy.gov/weatherization/pdfs/wx_recovery_fact_sheet.pdf
About Jerry Walch I have been a professional freelance writer since the early 1970s. I started out writing fiction but soon moved into doing technical writing for hire. Having been an avid do it yourselfer for over fifty years, I now specialize in writing for the DIY markets. I have done everything from auto mechanics to wood working and my writing runs the gamut as well. Having worked in the electrical trades for over forty years, my work for hire involves doing technical manuals for equipment manufacturers. Did you enjoy this article?