The Weatherization Assistance Program

Because weatherization is vital to enduring the winter months, the federal and state governments run the Weatherization Assistance Program. This program, created in 1976, helps lower energy consumption as well as costs for lower income families. The Weatherization Assistance Program works with states’ LIHEAP (Lower Income Home Energy Assistance Program) so as to help alleviate what is referred to as energy poverty, which is the inability to afford or gain access to energy services such as gas and electricity. According to the Weatherization Assistance Program, families whose houses are weatherized are expected to save $358 on their first year’s utility bills with the program.

Some of the services of the Weatherization Assistance Program are:

- Air sealing to reduce air leakage throughout the home

- Installation of insulation for the home’s attic, walls, basement, and other spaces.

- Replacement or modification of the home’s heating system so as to increase efficiency

- Minor repairs to ensure the health and safety of the home’s residents

- Education for the program recipients on how to increase efficiency throughout the home

In order to be eligible for the Weatherization Assistance Program, you must be a low income individual or family (at or below 200% of the federal poverty level). The program does give priority to the elderly and families with children. Also, before receiving any services, on site audits are conducted to assess the conditions of the home to see which services are necessary.

If you think you or someone you know is eligible for this program, United Way encourages you to apply for the services this program offers. For instructions on how to apply, please call Community Action Agency at (610) 891-5117. Energy poverty is a dangerous condition to your health and the health of your family. So please, help is available and apply for the assistance you need! If you have any questions, feel free to comment on this particular blog entry or email us at info@uwdelco.org

Weatherizing your Home

This past month, temperatures have plummeted and we have even seen a snow flurry or two…it looks like winter is here! Unfortunately, along with colder weather come higher utility bills and some dangerous health risks. If your home is not properly heated you risk not only having your household pipes freeze and burst, but you also risk getting hypothermia and other cold-weather related maladies. In order to ensure the safety of yourself and your family, while saving money on utilities, you should take the proper steps to weatherize your home.

United Way of Southeast Delaware County has a few tips it can share with you. These tips will ensure your house is ready for the inclement winter weather. 1) First of all, you should check that your house is properly insulated. Not only does this ensure that your house is warmer, but it also ensures that you are being more energy efficient. 2) Check the windows to ensure that no air is escaping or entering your home. Also if you have an attic, make sure there is at least 6 inches of insulating fiber lining the ceilings. Go around your home checking for drafty areas and if there are areas that do not seem to be insulated, do not worry because there are some solutions.3) For windows and door cracks, use weather-stripping, a material used to seal these openings. For cracks in ceilings and walls, use foam sealant or caulking to fill in the gaps causing the air to enter or escape your home.

These are just a few tips to start properly preparing your home for these winter months. Throughout the next week, United Way of Southeast Delaware County will be providing you with facts and solutions to ensure that your family is as warm and safe as possible this winter.