Weatherization Assistance Program

Program Summary and Purpose:

Until he applied for Weatherization Assistance in 2007, Daniel Stover needed four 500-gallon propane tanks a year to heat his home in Fond-du Lac, Minnesota. The subsequent improvements in the energy efficiency of the Fond-du Lac home have saved the Stover family thousands of dollars in heating bills: “I’m very fortunate. A weatherization crew came in and plugged air leaks, blew in insulation, tuned up our furnace, and sealed duct leaks. That all made a big difference…”

In June 2010, Minnesota joined five other states in making significant progress in the weatherization of thousands of homes.  The state has now weatherized 5,268 homes under the Weatherization Assistance Program.  For more than thirty years, the federally-funded government funded program has helped increase the energy efficiency of low-income households, reducing energy expenditures and improving family safety and health.  On average, weatherization saves the average American family $400 in energy costs in the first year.  Homeowners or renters at or below 200% of the Federal Poverty Income Guidelines are eligible for funding. A mix of Community Action Agencies and nonprofit organizations distribute the programs’ services.  These services typically include evaluating the home’s energy efficiency, as well as providing cost-effective solutions for improved use of the home’s energy resources. The most common solutions increase the home’s insulation, further seal windows and doors, and increase the efficiency of heating and cooling equipment.

Current Status:

The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 demands the weatherization of 600,000 additional homes by March 2012.  As of June 2010, twelve states (including Minnesota) have met significant milestones in the criteria designated by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.  The Office of Energy Security in Minnesota received $131.9 million in March of 2009 for the continued weatherization of Minnesota households.  The most pressing issue surrounding the program is ensuring that effective weatherization processes are being used.

What advocates need to know:

Applications for funding under the Weatherization Assistance Program are available at the Minnesota’s office of energy and security website, under the Minnesota Department of Commerce.

For More Information:

Minnesota Low Income Weatherization Assistance Program

Federal energy efficiency programs review by MN Housing Partnership