Post written by Margarite Stever, Economic Security Corporation Weatherization Director
Most people think about weatherization when the weather turns cold. Weatherization measures help you save money every month. The techniques we use such as insulation, caulking, weather stripping, and proper use of expansion foam help keep your home comfortable year round. It helps keep the heat inside during the winter and outside during the summer. Weatherization can lower your heating and cooling bills by an average of 35%.
Sometimes there just isn’t enough money to go around and you are forced to choose between buying healthy food or medication and paying your utility bills. Clients who have their homes weatherized save an average of $437.00 per year on their home heating and cooling costs.
We strive to help our clients as much as possible. One happy couple says, “The employees were very nice. They also worked hard. You should be proud of the crew that you sent to our house.” They went on to say, “We were very proud of all the work that was done. It sure helped us a lot.”
Energy savings measures that were administered to their home included installation of 2200 square feet of R-38 attic insulation, a vapor barrier beneath the home, floor insulation, two new exterior doors, window glazing, and an ASHRAE fan to assist in removing pollutants to enrich the health and safety of the home. We were able to reduce the air infiltration of the home by 51%.
Another happy client wrote, “It has been a great help. I would have never been able to afford the heat pump. It’s so greatly appreciated!” Her home’s air infiltration was lowered by 60% by utilizing such measures as the installation of an energy efficient heat pump, floor insulation, replacement of broken window glass, replacement of the dryer vent hood, replacement of two exterior doors, installation of energy efficient light bulbs, and general air sealing practices.
Our clients enjoy more comfortable and in many cases healthier homes as a result of our Weatherization services. Some of the measures that are utilized include replacing incandescent light bulbs with LED’s, adding insulation to attics and walls, weather stripping doors, repairing windows, general air sealing, duct sealing, water heater jackets, pipe insulation, and repairing or replacing furnaces and water heaters due to safety reasons. (Furnaces and water heaters can only be replaced in owner-occupied homes.) The homes are warmer in the winter and cooler in the summer.
Each home is unique with individual needs. Our energy auditor conducts a thorough inspection of each home and tailors the work order to meet those unique needs. Then our crews and contractors set to work making each home as safe and energy efficient as possible.
You can obtain an application by visiting escswa.org where you can print one out, calling our Weatherization Office at 417-781-4437 to request an application be mailed to you, or stopping by one of our outreach offices conveniently located in Anderson, Lamar, Neosho, and Joplin.
The Low-Income Weatherization Assistance Program is supported by local and federal funds from the Department of Energy (DOE), Missouri Department of Economic Development Division of Energy Center (DED/DE), Missouri Gas Energy (MGE), Empire Electric Company, Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP), Utilicare, and Community Services Block Grant (CSBG).