Department of Energy Assists Low-Income Families With Home Weatherization
The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) has announced $111.6 million in weatherization grants to 30 states and the Navajo Nation to make energy efficiency improvements in homes of low-income families. Weatherization can reduce an average home’s energy costs by $358 annually. Total FY2007 funding is $204.5 million and will provide weatherization to approximately 70,000 homes.
For every dollar spent, weatherization returns $1.53 in energy savings over the life of the measures. DOE’s weatherization program performs energy audits to identify the most cost-effective measures for each home, which typically include adding insulation, reducing air infiltration, servicing heating and cooling systems, and providing health and safety diagnostic services. Other benefits include increased housing affordability and property values, lower owner and renter turnover, and reduced fire risks. In 2006, DOE helped weatherize approximately 96,500 homes.
On average, Americans spend five percent of their income on paying energy bills, but for lower-income households the costs average 16 percent. These costs can include anything from heating and cooling their homes to running the lights, computers, and other appliances.
DOE’s weatherization program grants are distributed by state energy offices through more than 900 local agencies. Every state, the District of Columbia, the Navajo Nation, and the Inter-Tribal Council of Arizona will receive weatherization grants this year. Most recent awards are for the 30 states that began their weatherization year on April 1.
These awards include:
Alabama–$2,154,306
Alaska–$1,505,217
Arkansas–$1,853,518
Connecticut–$2,242,994
Delaware–$518,509
Florida–$1,752,523
Georgia–$2,619,035
Hawaii–$187,733
Idaho–$1,766,897
Indiana–$5,853,032
Iowa–$4,458,829
Kansas–$2,264,099
Louisiana–$1,550,758
Maine–$2,744,008
Massachusetts–$5,850,524
Michigan–$13,564,024
Mississippi–$1,476,791
Montana–$2,254,188
New Hampshire–$1,351,967
New Jersey–$4,560,095
New York–$18,009,524
Ohio–$12,270,440
Oklahoma–$2,318,528
Oregon–$2,523,743
Rhode Island–$1,037,381
South Carolina–$1,590,182
Texas–$4,981,976
Vermont–$1,146,018
Washington–$4,057,939
West Virginia–$2,872,199
Navajo Grant–$289,645
Total–$111,626,622