DOE Provides $88 Million for Weatherizing Homes in 20 States

 

EERE Network News - July 11, 2007

DOE announced on June 29th that it is providing $88 million in weatherization grants to 20 states for energy efficiency improvements in the homes of low-income families. DOE's Weatherization Assistance Program performs energy audits to identify the most cost-effective measures for each home. The measures typically include adding insulation, reducing air infiltration, servicing heating and cooling systems, and providing health and safety diagnostic services. For every dollar spent, weatherization returns $1.53 in energy savings over the life of the measures. Weatherization is especially important for low-income households, which spend an average of 16% of their income on energy bills, as opposed to the 5% average of most American households.

The twenty states that received grants include Arizona, California, Colorado, Illinois, Kentucky, Maryland, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Mexico, North Carolina, North Dakota, Pennsylvania, South Dakota, Tennessee, Utah, Virginia, Wisconsin, and Wyoming. Weatherization grants totaling $112 million were also distributed earlier this year to the 30 states whose weatherization year began in April. Funding this year is expected to provide weatherization assistance for approximately 70,000 homes across the nation.

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