Weatherization Assistance Program improves homes, saves on energy bills
The Nebraska Department of Environment and Energy’s Weatherization Assistance Program helps Nebraskans with low incomes weatherize their homes at no cost. When homes have more insulation, sealed leaks, and more efficient heating and cooling systems, homes become more comfortable and people can save money on their utility bills.
This program began in 1977, and as of June 2021, it has made weatherization improvements to 70,430 homes, totaling $224 million invested.
Katie Svoboda, a fiscal compliance analyst in NDEE’s Weatherization program, said energy costs can place a significant burden on those with low incomes, especially the elderly, those with disabilities and families with children.
“The money these families spend on utilities cannot be used for other household essentials like food, housing or education,” Svoboda said. “We want to make homes more energy efficient and comfortable, but also make the home safe.”
NDEE receives funding for this program from the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) and the U.S. Department of Energy’s Weatherization Assistance Program. Roughly $3.2 million comes from LIHEAP and $3 million from the DOE. The LIHEAP funds include $600,000 to use for Heating and Cooling Repair and Replacement Assistance Program (HCRRA). With the combined funding of these sources, a total of 359 homes were weatherized in Nebraska in fiscal year 2021.
Those funds are allocated to the seven Community Action Partnership agencies across the state, as well as one non-profit agency in Omaha. These organizations work with individuals and families in their areas to make weatherization improvements. Some of the most common improvements include:
• Adding insulation
• Replacing and repairing furnaces
• Reducing air leakage
• Installing high efficiency lighting
• Insulating water heater tanks and pipes
• Repairing cracked windows
Mobile homes are also eligible for weatherization services, including underbelly insulation, window sealing and sealing air leaks. Renters are eligible, as well, but require written permission from their landlords and some restrictions apply.
Lynn Chamberlin, NDEE’s building program specialist, said the groups and individuals involved in the weatherization process have come together to best serve clients.
“The network that delivers the Nebraska Weatherization Assistance Program is a group of people who are deeply committed to the clients, dedicated to the work that the program provides and has developed into a team of professionals that enjoy working together,” Chamberlin said. “Watching that team grow and develop has been incredibly rewarding.”
Because this program aims to assist those with low incomes, there is an income limit; household income must fall below 200% of the federal poverty level. For example, the poverty guideline for a household of four is $26,200. That household would qualify for the Weatherization Assistance Program if its income were less than $53,000 – double the poverty guideline. Households with people who receive Aid to Dependent Children or Supplemental Security Income are automatically eligible for the weatherization program.
Work crews make the weatherization improvements and NDEE inspects a minimum of 10-15% of all completed homes to ensure a high quality of work was performed. Overall, the average value of weatherization services is $7,500. These improvements can reduce energy used for home heating by 25%, and it can provide energy savings for 10-15 years.
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