If you’re living a poorly insulated or energy inefficient home, you just might be eligible for some government help. The Weatherization Assistance Program, sponsored by the U.S. Department of Energy, funds grants to state and local agencies to provide free energy assessments and weatherization services to low income homeowners and tenants across the country. To date, this program has weatherized over 5 million homes.

Local weatherization programs include:

• Energy audits
• Energy Star appliances
• HVAC improvements
• Wall and pipe insulation
• Weatherstripping and caulking

On average, weatherizing your house can reduce home energy bills by up to 20%. Not only can that make a huge difference in your budget, but it contributes to a greener planet!

The Weatherization Assistance Program has been around for about 30 years, but it recently got a big boost, in the form of a $5 billion contribution from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act in 2009. As a result, local and state weatherization programs are expanding, and waiting times are shorter in many areas.

Eligibility

The Weatherization Assistance Program is an income-based program that’s open to homeowners, tenants (with landlord’s permission), and multi-family buildings. The financial guidelines vary from state to state, but in general the cutoff is based on a percentage of the federal poverty level.

To find out if you qualify, contact your local Weatherization Assistance Program office by visiting the Weatherization Assistance Program Project Map and clicking on your state.

Further Information

• Energy Efficiency Tax Credits for Homeowners (article)
• Getting Adequate Attic Insulation (article)
• How to Caulk and Seal Around Windows and Doors (video)

Tags: , energy efficiency, federal government, Insulation