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Beat the heating bills |
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Written by Larry McGuire
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Friday, 30 October 2009 |
Craig Gray, a quality control inspector for Community Action Inc, is seen here with Trisha Skarbek, Community Action Inc., community service supervisor, utilizing a blower door, which is a diagnostic tool designed to measure the air tightness of buildings. (Photo by Larry McGuire/The Punxsutawney Spirit)
PUNXSUTAWNEY — Today is National Weatherization Day, a day that most people never think about except when they receive high heating bills during the winter months.
The U.S. Department of Energy's (DOE) official declaration of the national event emphasizes the importance of improving home energy efficiency through weatherization.
Trisha Skarbek, community services supervisor for Community Action Inc. in Punxsy, said as the cold weather fast approaches, there are many people who are unaware about what kind of help is available to make their homes more energy efficient.
She said according to the DOE, low-income households spend nearly 17 percent of their total annual income on energy, compared to other households that spend only four percent.
Community Action will receive a boost through federal stimulus funds — about $2,562,077 — to make hundreds of homes more energy efficient by reducing a home's energy dependence, weatherizing about 336 low-income homes through March 31, 2012, in Clarion and Jefferson counties, Skarbek said.
These funds are in addition to Community Action's regular allocation of $537,390 for Program Year 2009-10, which will weatherize approximately 72 low-income homes, she said.
The stimulus money is part of the $252 million Pennsylvania is receiving through the American Recovery & Reinvestment Act (ARRA). The Commonwealth plans to weatherize about 30,000 homes over the next three years with ARRA funds.
Skarbek said this federal stimulus money is designed to help create jobs and reduce energy dependency.
DOE has found for every $1 million of funds invested in weatherization, about 52 new jobs are created, she said. Also, for every $1 invested in the project, weatherization returns $1.67 in energy-related savings.
According to the DOE, weatherization improves local air quality; avoids emissions of greenhouse gases; reduces risk of fires; decreases cases of homelessness and more.
Weatherization also reduces the national energy demand by the equivalent of 18 million barrels of oil each year, the DOE said.
Skarbek said currently, Community Action sees many families whose furnaces aren't functioning.
"We've received a lot of calls from people who are interested in weatherization because they've read about in the newspaper or saw it on the news," she said.
Sue Fusco, Community Action Inc. community services director, reminds area residents that Community Action does not perform immediate services, such as fixing a malfunctioning furnace.
"There are several times throughout the year where there is a crisis program that does provide for emergency services," she said.
Skarbek added that some individuals are in the process of weatherization, so it is handled through Community Action's regular program.
Weatherization is available to renters and home owners who make less than 200 percent of the Federal Poverty Income Guidelines, she said. A household of four would qualify if their annual income is less than $44,100 or $3,675 per month.
Homes that were weatherized before Sept. 30, 1994 will be re-eligible for weatherization, she said, and there will be no lien placed against the property.
Community Action has been provided with lists of priority families who have received funds from the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program.
"When these lists have been depleted, we may contact consumers from existing waiting lists based upon certain priorities," Skarbek said. "Once a home is determined eligible for services, an evaluation is completed by a certified auditor."
Homes may qualify for installing insulation in attics, sidewalls, crawlspace and attic doors or trap doors; installing attic venting; replacing broken glass; installing weatherstripping and door sweeps; sealing cracks and air penetrations; furnace inspection and possible repair and replacement and items which address health and safety issues.
Skarbek added that upon completion of the work by a certified subcontractor, Community Action conducts a final quality control inspection.
"We are going to be hiring additional staff in order to meet our goals and expectations of the additional funds," she said. "We'll also be hiring additional sub-contractors to carry out the goals.
"We have an excellent staff who are trained in weatherization who make the process a lot easier," Skarbek added.
Craig Gray, a quality control inspector for Community Action, said there were several tests for carbon monoxide, efficiency and stack temperature on furnaces and hot water tanks.
Skarbek added that what the test results indicate helps determine whether the project should be sent to a certified furnace contractor who develops a detailed list of what work should be done.
For more information about applying, or to find out more information to become a subcontractor for the project, call Skarbek at Community Action at 938-3302 or toll-free at 1-800-648-3381, ext. 205.
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Last Updated ( Saturday, 31 October 2009 )
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