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What is Weatherization?
Program’s
Purpose:
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The Weatherization Assistance Program’s (WAP) provides free energy
conservation measures to income eligible households.
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Georgia Weatherization’s mission is to reduce state and national consumption
of energy, while providing a safe, improved environment and enhanced quality
of life for Georgia’s income eligible households.
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The WAP operates
in all of Georgia’s 159 counties.
Benefits of Weatherization:
Since its inception
in 1976, more than 5.5 million households have experienced energy-efficiency,
financial, and health and safety gains through the Program. Weatherization
Works in many ways. The following are examples of economic, environmental, and
social impacts weatherization has on communities:
Economic:
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Nationally,
weatherization activities return $1.41 in energy-related benefits for every
$1 invested.
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Each family
served through weatherization could save more than $6000 over the life of
the services installed.
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Fifty-two
direct jobs are created for every million dollars invested in
weatherization.
Environmental:
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Weatherization
measures reduce carbon dioxide emissions by an average of one metric ton per
weatherized home.
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Weatherized
homes reduce residential energy demand decreasing energy generation and
associated power plant emissions, a significant source of air pollution.
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Weatherization
measures reduce national energy consumption and curb demand for imported
oil.
Social:
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Georgia’s
Weatherization Program also stresses the importance of a client’s health and
safety by installing smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors.
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Low-income
households typically spend 25% of their total annual income on energy,
compared with 3.5% of other residents. Often, these families cut back on
other necessities to pay for energy bills. Weatherization measures provide
long-term relief for low-income families, protecting them from fluctuations
in energy prices and supplies.
Populations Served
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The Program specifically focuses on assisting low-income people—income cannot
exceed 150% of the federal poverty income guideline level.
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Preference is given to the elderly, people with disabilities, and families
with children.
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Last year, 2467
homes were weatherized, serving 3618 clients.
History of
Whole House Weatherization
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Since its
inception in 1976, the Department of Energy’s Weatherization Assistance
Program has been the primary energy conservation program in the country.
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Over the last
decade, the program has continued to expand and evolve.
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Since 1999,
DOE has been encouraging the network of weatherization providers to adopt the
whole-house approach whereby you treat the house as a single energy-consuming
system, rather than a loose collection of unrelated pieces of equipment
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In 2005, the
Department of Energy mandated that the state of Georgia undergo the “Hot
Climate-Whole House Weatherization” training.
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A goal of the
Hot Climate Initiative is to double energy savings resulting from
Weatherization in hot climates. Whole-house Weatherization is the key to
attaining this goal and requires advanced diagnostic skills and cost-effective
measure selection and installation.
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By expanding
the scope of the Program to adopt a whole-house approach and incorporating
advanced energy efficiency technologies, it is anticipated that weatherization
can achieve significantly greater energy savings; further reduce emissions of
air pollutants and greenhouse gases; increase the leveraging potential of the
Weatherization network; and expand the Program’s contribution to the economic
health and sustainability of the nation’s communities.
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In spring
2006, GEFA mandated use of Whole House Weatherization by all sub-grantees.
Types of
Measures Utilized in Whole House Weatherization
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Use of
diagnostic testing and computer audits to determine the most cost-effective
weatherization measures
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Sealing
bypasses and critical junction points, including plumbing, electrical and HVAC
penetrations through ceiling, flooring and exterior walls.
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Air sealing,
insulating and/or repairing ducts
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Combustion
appliance safety testing and replacement
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Installation
of attic and floor insulation
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Dense packed
side-wall insulation
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Proper
ventilation of combustible appliances
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Installation
of Mechanical ventilation such as bathroom fans and hood stove vents
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Replacement of
Cook Stoves
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Furnace repair
and/or replacement
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Installation
of smoke and carbon monoxide detectors
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Wrapping water
heaters and pipes
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Replacement of
water heaters
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Installation
of Smart Thermostats
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Installation
of Compact Fluorescent Light bulbs
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Refrigerator
testing and replacements
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Mitigating
heat loss through infiltration points by caulking, weather-stripping, and
other measures.
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Incidental
repairs to protect weatherization measures installed
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Client
education on the proper use and maintenance of the installed measures
For more
information on the weatherization program, please contact
Keesha Johnson at 706.722.0493 ext 101.
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