Weatherization Program Makes Homes More Energy Efficient

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- Dorothy Wilson cannot believe that a few thousand dollars in repairs could make a home so much more energy efficient.

The Jacksonville homeowner recently had her home weatherized as part of a program administered by the Northeast Florida Community Action Agency.

The agency said it expects to receive $4 mllion in stimulus dollars to pay for repairs on windows, insulation, and central heat and air conditioning.

"I had blankets up here because we did not use this part of the house because we could not afford to heat it," said Wilson, 66, referring to the living room she can use once again.

The weatherization program involves a house inspection, plus homeowners must qualify based on income. A family of three, for example, cannot earn more than $22,000 to qualify.

The weatherization program will help thousands of homeowners in five counties on the First Coast, said John Edwards, executive director of the Northeast Florida Action Agency.

"We are able to show the work that we have done in these homes will reduce energy consumption and therefore reduce utility bills," Edwards said.

Wilson said several new windows, insulation plus central heat and air is saving her more than $100 every month.

"The money they blessed me to save is going to help me pay my other bills," said  Wilson, who says her home of 27 years is now comfortable again.

For additional information on the weatherization assistance program, NFCCA at 398-7472, ext. 218 or CLICK HERE.

To apply and to learn where to direct questions, CLICK HERE.

For more information on weatherization, CLICK HERE.

For a list of Florida's low-income energy programs, CLICK HERE.

To qualify: The DOE suggests that local agencies and states determine eligibility based on poverty level, elderly in poverty, disabled, fuel costing. Local agencies should determine whether a particular unit is deemed to be a "good candidate home" for weatherization services. An assessment of whether the home needs any type of rehabilitation work or is free of major health and safety concerns can eliminate many units until they have been referred to the appropriate agency to have these major deficiencies corrected prior to weatherization.

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