Editor’s note: This commentary is by Marion Mohri, of Wheelock, who is retired lieutenant colonel from the Air Force where he was a public health officer.
[M]any Vermonters are unfamiliar with our state Weatherization Program. Through this program, many low-income Vermonters are able to get meaningful energy improvements in their homes which are cost effective for the homeowners and advantageous for the environment. The program is available to low-income renters as well.
A family of four, earning roughly $44,000 or less is typically eligible for this program.
Older homes and mobile homes often are prime candidates that could benefit from improving insulation, installing programmable thermostats, monitoring for carbon monoxide and so many other improvements.
The good news is that these improvements typically pay for themselves in reducing homeowner energy costs.
The United States Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP) was created in 1976 to help low-income families reduce energy consumption and costs. WAP is governed by various federal regulations designed to help manage and account for the resources provided by the Department of Energy. WAP funding is derived from annual appropriations from Congress but the bulk of funds come from individual states.
WAP technicians perform energy audits on a home to help locate efficiency problems. Once an audit is complete, the program can help by insulating walls and windows, replacing broken glass, and testing, repairing, and/or replacing combustion appliances. Weatherization measures also may include caulking, weather-stripping, insulation, vent dampers, and replacement of broken glass.
Surveys have shown that weatherizing a home can significantly decrease winter heating and energy bills.
Help more Vermonters weatherize their homes! Weatherization is an easy way to create jobs, save money, and of course make homes more comfortable and energy efficient. The goal for this legislative session is to increase funding enough to double the total number of housing units weatherized every year. That funding will expand access to the Low Income Weatherization Assistance Program and help Vermonters with moderate incomes get the help they need to weatherize their homes as well.
How can you help? First, contact your representatives. Encourage them to increase funding to keep Vermonters warm and save on heating costs. Second, if you know anyone who could benefit from the Weatherization Program, encourage them to contact their local agency that administers the program.
Third, donate to the nonprofit partners who administer the program at a local level.
Partners for administering the Weatherization Program can be found in all areas of Vermont. In central Vermont, contact the Capstone Weatherization Office. In the Champlain Valley, contact the Champlain Valley Weatherization Service. In northeastern Vermont, contact the NETO Weatherization Office in Newport or the NETO Weatherization Office in St. Johnsbury. In southeastern Vermont, contact the SEVCA Weatherization Office. In southwestern Vermont, contact the BROC Weatherization Office.
Although the State of Vermont administers the Weatherization Program, local affiliates are nonprofits and welcome your tax-deductible contributions!
Vermont has one of the best weatherization programs in the country. That should come as no surprise. Vermonters look out for one another.