WFH Learning Bundle 17: Weatherization! (but make it fun)

SJVCEO 2020 Learning Bundle
17th Edition
November 2020

Weatherization! (but make it fun)

The elderly gentleman strode to the podium and stared out to the eager young faces. He was prickly and gruff, a stark contrast to the audience.  In a deep baritone, he began, “I am here to talk to you about the most important thing in energy efficiency, something that all too often gets overlooked.  I’m here to talk to you about caulk. That’s C-A-U-L-K!  Get your minds out of the gutter you animals!”

Rick Phelps, the former Executive Director of the High Sierra Energy Foundation, had a way of getting people to pay attention.  Whether it be making conference audiences blush and giggle like school children or paying for radio ads that encouraged residents in Mammoth Lakes to save water by showering together, his message was heard loud and clear!  He said we had to be evangelists for energy efficiency, and weatherization was just boring until you made it fun. 

It’s a shame too because weatherization measures like insulation and ventilation could help homeowners save up to 25% on their energy costs. We know from our work with the City of Avenal, that upgrading with weatherization measures can save our local governments too.  Avenal was able to save 24% on their energy costs at their Veteran’s Memorial Building in the first year. The money a local government saves in energy can either be redirected into new energy efficiency projects or back into services that our communities so desperately need.

 In RECENT news

1. US NEWS: Low-Income Households Pay More for Energy, but Efficiency Can Help
2. ACEEE: Weatherization cuts bills and creates jobs but serves only a tiny share of low-income homes
3. Green Lining Institute: Threat to EE and Weatherization Programs Could Hurt California’s Resilient Future
4. NRDC: House Climate Plan Calls for Clean Energy Homes & Buildings

BLOG EE and other Reads

1.  Weatherization Federal and State Funding
2. 
Home Energy Tune-Up
3.  
Holiday Energy Saving, Family Affair
4.  
Money Money, 10 Ways to Save on Heating Bills
5.  
Wellness Wednesday: Indoor Air Quality and Energy Efficiency

Resources for You

PG&E Weatherization Programs
1.
Energy Savings Assistance (ESA): Improving the energy efficiency of a home can significantly reduce energy bills. Not everyone, however, can afford to make these updates. Get energy-saving improvements at no charge.
2. Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP): Receive help with utility bill payments, energy-related crises, and home weatherization

SCE Energy Savings Assistance:
The Energy Savings Assistance program is designed to help you conserve energy and save money. Income-qualified customers may be eligible to receive energy-efficient appliances at no charge or minimal charges

SCG Weatherization Programs
1. 
Energy Savings Assistance: Save energy and money through professional home improvements at no cost to you!
2. Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP): You might benefit from the LIHEAP Weatherization Assistance Program to help make your home more energy-efficient, with no-cost or reduced-cost insulation, hot water heater blankets, low-flow showerheads, and other weatherization services.

California Weather Assistance Program
The Department of Energy, Weatherization Assistance Program (DOE WAP) has long served as the core program for delivering energy conservation services to low-income Californians. The Weatherization Assistance Program reduces the heating and cooling costs for low-income families by improving the energy efficiency of their homes and ensuring their health and safety.

 

SJVCEO