Weatherization: Overview
Tuning up a house's energy performance can be quick and relatively inexpensive.
RATIONALE
BENEFIT
- Creates an opportunity to provide training and green jobs
- Reduces energy bills and dependence on foreign oil
- Lays the groundwork for long term energy independence
- Improves health and safety by eliminating energy-related hazards
- Weatherization creates 52 direct jobs and 23 indirect jobs for every $1 million invested
- Weatherization measures reduce national energy demand by the equivalent of 18 million barrels of oil per year
- Reducing energy demand decreases the environmental impacts of energy production
- Weatherization also reduces emissions of methane and nitric oxide
Weatherization creates non-energy benefits as well, including increased property value, reduced incidence of fire, reduced utility disconnects and bad debt, increased federal taxes generated from employment, income generated from indirect employment, avoided costs of unemployment benefits, and reduced pollution
Another distinguishing benefit of weatherization initiatives is attention to all-around safety. Many buildings receiving attention are old and need repair. Weatherization service providers check major energy systems to ensure occupant safety. One of DOE's goals in increasing flexibility in the Weatherization Assistance Program in recent years is to allow weatherization crews to more fully address health and safety issues discovered during their work. Crews find all kinds of hazards, including carbon monoxide leaks from incomplete combustion of fuel in old boilers, furnaces and water heaters; indoor air quality problems from mold that accumulates in walls, basements, and attics exposed to moisture; and fire hazards from outdated electrical equipment and wiring. Crews also find many examples of equipment that could become a hazard in the case of a flood, tornado or other natural disaster. For example, manufactured homes that are heated with propane should have their propane tanks fastened securely to a foundation in case of flood. For more information, see the DOE report on "Hazard Identification and Mitigation."
The process of cleaning up a contaminants by physical, chemical, or biological means.The practice of protecting a building and its interior from the elements, particularly from sunlight, precipitation, and wind, and of modifying a building to reduce energy consumption and optimize energy efficiency. Also known as weatherproofing.An odorless, colorless, highly poisonous gas that is produced as the result of the incomplete combustion of carbon, e.g. the burning of gasoline in automotive engines.A common measure of petroleum. One barrel equals 42 U.S. gallons and has enough energy to power an average car for 700 miles at 18 miles per gallon. A barrel of oil contains approximately 6 million British thermal Units (BTUs).Identifies how much energy a building uses and the purposes for which it is used, and identifies efficiency and cost-reduction opportunities. Energy efficiency is the process of using less energy to produce the same or increased functions. Often used mistakenly as a synonym for ENERGY CONSERVATION. Unwanted elements that may reduce the quality of natural systems (air, water, land). The quality of air inside a building space that affects the health and wellbeing of building occupants. The ability or potential of a physical body to do work. The most common forms of energy are heat, light, mechanical (moving parts), and electrical.
