Home weatherization is a residential energy efficiency program that reduces energy use by reducing air infiltration and heat loss in homes. Qualifying customers may receive an energy audit from a certified inspector. Services they may receive include attic, sidewall and basement insulation, weather stripping, safety inspections of furnaces and water heaters and heating systems repairs or replacements. All participants of the program receive consumer education to help reduce the cost of their energy bills.
A recent study released by Policy Matters Ohio, a Columbus based Think Tank shows that Ohio’s Home Weatherization Assistance Program results in home energy cost savings of over 20 percent on average, making it one of the best such programs in the nation. Additional benefits include pollution reduction, energy conservation, and job creation.
The study argues however that despite this exceptional record of success, this program reaches too few eligible families, and recent policy changes are exacerbating the problem. In 2012, just 5,741 homes were weatherized, comprising 1.2 percent of the 460,000 households seeking emergency assistance that year.
“Weatherization is a win for low-income families, the public, and the environment,” said Amanda Woodrum, energy researcher at Policy Matters Ohio, and the report’s coauthor. “This program reduces costs, reduces waste, and improves our housing stock.”
“Weatherizing homes increases the health of our communities,” said Mike Piepsny, Executive Director of Environmental Health Watch, which helped fund the research.
The Clean Energy Standard that required investor-owned utilities to reduce consumption by 22 percent was the driving force behind a seven-fold increase in utility company spending on weatherization. Ohio Gov. Kasich recently signed a bill that froze clean energy compliance standards for two years while the state evaluates whether to scrap them altogether. This has already reduced utilities’ efficiency and weatherization investments. The report, which finds that eliminating the clean energy standards would result in a $300 million loss of investments in weatherization over the next ten years, recommends that Ohio unfreeze the standards.
“Ohio’s clean energy standards are working. The standards resulted in more resources to help vulnerable families and are reducing prices for everyone over the long-term,” said Dave Rinebolt, Executive Director of Ohio Partnership for Aff
To take advantage of the home weatherization is a residential energy efficiency program and save money this winter, Home owners in Montgomery county are advised to call Community Action Partnerships @ (937) 341-5000
If you are a homeowner outside Montgomery County, call 1-800-617-2673