Weatherization Assistance Program

Mission Increase the energy efficiency of dwellings occupied by low-income Americans Reduce monthly heating and cooling expenses Safeguard the health and safety of household occupants

Mission Prioritize those households with elderly residents, individuals with disabilities, and families with children

Benefits Reduce energy costs and alleviate high energy burden for low- income families Decrease nation’s energy consumption and reduce emissions created by burning fossil fuels Improve housing stock and neighborhood conditions

Benefits Provide economic boost and create more disposable income in low-income communities Educate consumers in energy efficient practices

Operation Program created in 1976 Program utilizes partnerships with the Department of Energy and state and local- level Weatherization agencies Operates in all 50 States, D.C., and among Native American Tribes Local agencies provide weatherization services to every county in the nation Oldest and largest residential energy efficiency program in America

Funding Core funding for the program is provided by the Department of Energy (DOE) and the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) block grant This funding allows states and local agencies to leverage additional funding from: Other housing programs Utilities State and local government Rental property owners

Needs Assessment Over 100,000 homes are weatherized each year Even at this rate, only 16% of currently eligible households have received weatherization services

Income Qualification Eligibility for weatherization services is determined by income Any household at or below 125% of poverty is considered low-income. A state may elect to use 150% of poverty as the guideline Over 90% of low-income households have an annual income under $15,000 Two-thirds have an annual household income under $8,000

Energy Burden Low-income households spend, on average, 14% of their annual income on energy vs. 3.5% spent by other households The average annual energy expenditure in low-income households was $1,871 in 2007 Weatherization services can dramatically reduce annual energy costs thus creating more disposable income for other important household needs

Technical Advancements The Weatherization program has pioneered, tested, and utilized sophisticated building science technology to provide cost-effective energy efficiency measures Blower door directed air-sealing is utilized to produce higher energy savings and to determine appropriate air-tightness of a dwelling

Technical Advancements Advanced energy audits are used to determine the most cost-effective measures

Technical Advancements Duct systems are accurately tested for leakage

Technical Advancements Pressure differentials are measured to determine if combustion appliances are back- drafting

Technical Advancements Heating and cooling systems are tested for efficiency and safety

Jobs Created Fifty-two direct jobs are created for every million dollars invested Current federal program funding supports about 8,000 jobs nationwide Professionally trained crews weatherize single- family homes, multi- family dwellings, and mobile homes Numerous programs utilize private contractors to provide services

Societal Improvements Weatherization agencies partner with other government and community organizations, public utilities, and the private sector to maximize efforts and better utilize tax dollars

Societal Improvements On average, a weatherized home realizes a 30% reduction in heating/cooling cost For every $1 invested there is a $2.69 return in energy benefits

Societal Improvements For every $1 invested by DOE, the program leverages an additional $3.39 from other federal, state, local, and private sources Weatherization measures reduce average annual energy costs by $358 per dwelling Weatherization measures reduce carbon dioxide emissions by an average of one ton per weatherized house

Societal Improvements Fossil fuel power plant emissions are reduced Weatherization reduces energy consumption equivalent to 18 million barrels of oil per year Weatherization addresses health and safety issues such as carbon monoxide and lead hazards Utility arrearages are reduced and eliminated Consumers are educated in energy efficiency practices

House As A System Achieving true energy savings is the result of treating the dwelling as a system of three interactive parts Part One is the shell of the house which keeps cold air out in the winter and lets fresh air in during the summer Part Two is the equipment in the home that adds to or makes the heat, air, and moisture move in your house Part Three is the people in the home who control the shell and operate the equipment

Health and Safety Weatherization providers encounter health and safety hazards during the estimation and work process and through their efforts – lives are saved on a daily basis Unsafe heating systems can create life- threatening situations such as carbon monoxide poisoning, back-drafting, and fires

Health and Safety Lead-based paint, the number one environmental health threat to children, is a serious problem that weatherization, in conjunction with other funding sources, addresses before work is completed Mold, moisture, high and low humidity are all health and safety issues that weatherization crews address on a daily basis Dangerous electrical problems can also be addressed using weatherization funds

New Technologies The Weatherization Program is a professional delivery system that continues to increase technical capabilities by exploring new energy efficiency and renewable energy technologies for application in the program Advanced energy audits are used to determine the most cost-effective measures to be applied Blower-door directed air-sealing is utilized to diagnose air leakage and pressure differentials

New Technologies Base load measures are now being applied which include the replacement of inefficient appliances Several states are now pursuing the application of solar measures through pilot programs in conjunction with weatherization work. These include the installation of solar water heaters and passive solar warm air collectors

Applied Measures – Heating System Safety and Efficiency All combustion appliances within the home are tested for efficiency, proper draft, carbon monoxide, electrical problems, and fire safety before any weatherization work is done

Applied Measures – Heating System Safety and Efficiency Unsafe, inefficient, and inoperable heating systems may be replaced/repaired using weatherization funds Addressing inefficient and/or unsafe combustion appliances has an immediate impact on the energy efficiency and health and safety of a dwelling

Applied Measures - Insulation Attics are sealed, vented, and insulated Sidewalls are insulated using blown cellulose and a dense-pack method that insures appropriate R-value as well as preventing air infiltration

Applied Measures - Insulation

Floors can also be insulated as an optional measure Mobile Homes are insulated in the floors, ceilings and sidewalls

Applied Measures – Blower Door Directed Air-Sealing A blower door is a diagnostic and measurement tool designed to assist in locating air leakage in a house and measure and quantify the airtightness of the dwelling

Applied Measures – Blower Door Directed Air-Sealing The blower door consists of a powerful variable speed fan that is sealed into an exterior doorway and is used to pressurize or depressurize the house

Applied Measures – Blower Door Directed Air-Sealing Blower doors use gauges to measure the pressure difference between inside and outside of the house and to measure the amount of air flowing through the fan AHRAE has established air exchange rates for houses based on volume and number of occupants

Applied Measures – Duct Diagnostics and Repair Duct leakage can account for up to 30– 40% of a heating/cooling bill Duct leakage can also be responsible for distributing indoor air pollutants throughout a house

Applied Measures – Duct Diagnostics and Repair Weatherization uses the blower door, a manometer, and pressure pans to measure and identify duct leakage in all homes and mobile homes

Applied Measures – Duct Diagnostics and Repair Duct leaks are repaired by using a mastic sealant Duct disconnects are repaired and often ducts are replaced and/or re-installed

Applied Measures – Other Weatherization Measures Duct systems may be insulated with duct wrap Heating system filters are replaced Gas and oil leaks are repaired

Applied Measures – Other Weatherization Measures Water heaters may be insulated with an insulation wrap Low flow water reducers such as faucet aerators, low-flow showerheads, and toilet-tank flush reducers may be installed Programmable thermostats may be installed

Applied Measures – Other Weatherization Measures CO detectors and smoke alarms are installed

Applied Measures – Other Weatherization Measures Chimneys may be replaced, repaired, and/or lined

Training Weatherization crews are the heart and soul of the program

Training They are constantly being trained, re- trained, and certified in the latest energy saving technology There are currently over fifty training centers in twenty-seven different states that provide weatherization and related curriculums

Weatherization PLUS The Department of Energy is focusing on a concept called Weatherization PLUS that will: Achieve significantly greater energy savings Further reduce emissions of air pollutants and greenhouse gases Increase the leveraging potential of the Weatherization network Expand the program’s contribution to the economic health and sustainability of the nation’s communities

The Virginia Weatherization Program Virginia’s Weatherization Assistance program is administered by the Department of Housing and Community Development Twenty-two agencies provide services in every city and county in Virginia

The Virginia Weatherization Program Each program is required to adhere to an approved set of installation standards Each program is monitored for quality control by the state office – this includes field work and financial management

The Virginia Weatherization Program – Demographics Total number of weatherization completions – 3,863 Total funding allocation - $11,041,296 Per cent of weatherized households with elderly occupants – 52% Per cent of weatherized households with handicapped occupants – 51% Per cent of weatherized households with children – 45% Per cent of households with annual income under $10,000 – 60%