DOE's Weatherization Program Awards $4.98 Million to Iowa

Secretary of Energy Spencer Abraham announced last month the award of $4.98 million to the state of Iowa to improve the energy efficiency of the homes of low-income families via the Department of Energy's Weatherization Assistance Program. The President's National Energy Plan recommends a $1.4 billion increase in funding for weatherization over 10 years. Low-income families spend an average of 14 percent of their income on energy, compared with 3.5 percent for the average American. Weatherization reduces an average home's energy costs by $218 a year. The program gives a priority to low-income households with elderly members, people with disabilities and children.     

The program is delivered through the states and 970 local agencies.  Every state, the District of Columbia, the Navajo Nation and the Inter-Tribal Council of Arizona will receive weatherization grants this year. The congressional appropriation for the DOE's Weatherization Assistance Program is $227.166 million in FY 2004, which is expected to cover approximately 94,750 homes.  The funding this year is up from the $223.5 million in FY 2003. The President has requested $291.2 million for FY 2005.

DOE's weatherization program performs energy audits to identify the most cost-effective measures for each home, which typically include adding insulation, reducing air infiltration, servicing the heating and cooling systems, and providing health and safety diagnostic services.  For every dollar spent, weatherization returns $1.40 in energy savings over the life of the measures. Other benefits include increased housing affordability, increased property values, job creation, lower owner and renter turnover, and reduced fire risks. For more information on DOE's programs to improve the energy efficiency of buildings, visit www.eere.energy.gov/buildings.