Protect yourself from the elements in the upcoming colder months by weatherizing your home.
UCHRA Weatherization Manager Tommy Simcox said the agency’s program saves clients money on their energy bill. Total household income is the main qualifying factor for the program. Simcox said the program seals the outside and the inside of the home.
“Number one it helps the clients on the utilities, number two, the overall energy load that we use in the country,” Simcox said. “It cuts down on the energy load, which in turn helps infrastructure, and just the overall well-being of the clients.”
Simcox said weatherization insulates the home, conserving heating and cooling to save energy bill costs. Simcox said weatherized homes on average save $340 on energy costs.
Simcox said for every dollar the agency spends on weatherization, their clients receive an overall $1.72 reduction in energy usage. That number increases to more than $3 for clients with respiratory issues.
Simcox said weatherization also lessens the chances of weather damage to a home. Simcox said when people do not protect their homes against the elements it can degrade the home or make the building vunerable to infestations.
“Rot, we’ve seen rot, mold, insect infestation, infestation from rats and mice,” Simcox said.
Simcox said the program usually covers one to three homes per county. The program can spend anywhere from $15,000 to $18,000 weatherizing each home, depending on the need.
Those who qualify must make 200 percent of the federal poverty income to qualify. Simcox said priority points factor into decision making. Simcox said income and household members that have handicap status or are children 6 or under play factors in determining eligibility.
For those not eligible for the UCHRA program, Simcox said you can buy supplies to weatherize your home from hardware stores. Simcox said people can apply caulk around cracked doors and windows, or insulation in attics and under the floors to properly weatherize their homes. Simcox said placing weather strips around doors helps to further insulate homes.
“Conserve all they can, pay attention to your thermostat, keep it a little cooler and maybe put on extra clothing, helps to save,” Simcox said.
Simcox said to see if a home has been properly weatherized, check the energy bill. Simcox said a properly insulated home should see a lower energy bill.
Simcox said the agency is training to weatherize multi-family units, like duplexes, multiplexes and apartments. Simcox said the program has only provided services to single family homes.
