In the 70s community action agencies across the country recognized that low-income families were using energy in larger amounts to middle-income Americans. Often a low-income family would use 30% or more of their income to pay utilities. That hasn’t changed much today; the high energy use is still present.

 

So what did the early innovators of Weatherization do? They set up shops and hired crews for making storm windows made with aluminum frames and clear plastic to allow light in. Some also tackled solar applications. OHC created a solar heater that could be attached to a side of the house and pump in warm air with a squirrel cage fan.

 

After several years, the Weatherization program became a national program and it now resides in the Department of Energy (www.doe.gov). And the WX program has developed into a sophisticated operation that uses specially designed software to determine the energy reduction methods. When an audit team goes to a home, a blower door is installed in the front door way and measurements are taken for wind resistance or leakiness of the building.

 

Many homes have a lot of air leaks. If there is central air the vents are tested. A visual inspection of the furnace is made and if there is concern about the furnace functioning properly, a HAC specialist will be called in. Windows and doors are checked for air tightness and to see if in good repair. When they are not, the item is noted for replacement and/or repair. From the information the home provided, it is entered into the software that prints a report (see example report link) prioritizing what remedies are appropriate. Insulation and reducing air infiltration is often high on the list of needs.

 

So is this program a national waste of money as some claim? Surely it is expensive with all the sophisticated equipment and no doubt highly paid staff.

 

In Northwest Arkansas (Benton, Carroll, Madison and Washington Counties) last year, OHC weatherized 87 homes at an average of cost of $2,046 per unit. The state anticipated average per house was $2,966.

 

And what does the family get out of this? The homeowner or renter saves conservatively $100 a month in energy costs. That means in 21 months this work will save the homeowner $2,100. And the work done will hold up for 6-8 years. That is a great return on the dollar! My retirement account could use that kind of great return!

 

And what about those highly paid staff? The average hourly rate for a great group of dedicated workers in WX at OHC is $12-15 an hour.

 

There is also a human side to this story. Our priority groups are the elderly and disabled. An average monthly income is $1,000 or less. That elderly/disabled person is often found making a decision each month to pay bills, buy medication and food. Imagine what a 10% bonus would be to that person? And $100 is a conservative figure as WX staff hears amazing stories on energy served.

 

Lastly, energy is being saved. In this critical time we all need to be conscious of the energy we use and our need to reduce our own usage let alone our wonderful nation!

 

What WX isn’t: It’s not the only solution, but it is one of the few energy solutions for low-income Americans.

 

[Al West is the Executive Director of the Office of Human Concern (OHC). OHC operates a diverse number of programs that principally serve the elderly and/or disabled. For more information on this article or about OHC contact Mr. West at 636-7301 or e-mail at  This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it  ]