Weatherization is improving a home to make it safer in extreme weather and to reduce energy use. This includes upgrading insulation, sealing drafts, Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning (HVAC) duct sealing, exhaust fans, smoke and carbon monoxide detectors.
– Energy Use
– Utility Bills
– Peak demand and grid stress across Texas
– Environmental impacts from power generation
– Can make a home safer and more comfortable during extreme weather or power outages
After a home is approved for weatherization, contractors and their subcontractors will improve certain aspects of the home.
Contractors can’t make every needed change to the home. These improvements must be cost-effective and energy efficient. The contractor will have a list of what they are able to do and provide it to the resident.
The amount of energy cost savings depends on how many changes were made in the home. For example, if the home was not insulated before weatherization, after weatherization, the resident’s energy bill would likely go down during the hot and cold months.
If a resident uses their home and appliances the same as they did before, they will save energy with the new energy-saving changes. If a resident had previously been using less energy than they needed to use, they may be able to afford to use the amount of energy they need. This won’t save them money, but it could mean they are safer. However, to see the biggest reduction in energy bills, the resident should try to save energy by “conserving” it or making changes in how they use energy in their home.
– Turning off the lights when they are not in use. Use natural light when possible.
– Set the air-conditioning (A/C) temperature higher or heat temperature lower. (Do not set either to an unsafe temperature for your family).
– Turn off and unplug appliances when they are not in use. Some appliances will still use energy even when turned off (“energy vampires”). Unplugging them or flipping the switch on a surge protector they are plugged into will prevent them from unintentionally using energy.
– Washing the laundry using cold water to reduce the energy used to heat the water.
– Replacing the air filters so that the Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning (HVAC) is not using more energy to move air through clogged filters.
– Taking shorter showers to reduce the energy used to heat the water.
– Boiling water with the lid on. The water will boil faster, using less energy to heat the water.
Residents interested in applying should use the online portal to be able to apply and receive application updates via email.
If desired, a resident can request for an application be mailed to them with their intake form or they can contact the United Way of Greater Houston 211 Texas/United Way HELPLINE.
Incomplete applications are the number one cause for rejection from the program.
When residents apply for weatherization, they also apply for utility assistance.
Legal residents of the United States and Harris County.
Households earning less than 200% of the federal poverty level.
Note: Only the citizens or permanent residents of the household count when determining the number of persons in the household for income eligibility for these programs.
To get approved for weatherization, residents must submit a complete application and meet the application criteria.
An inspector will come to the residents home to conduct an evaluation.Homes cannot be in need of major repair,pest removal, or have too many items blocking access to parts of the home that would need to be weatherized (for example, the attic). If they are, the home will be denied due to “deferred maintenance”. This means that the home will not receive weatherization until resources are available or the home can be otherwise repaired.
– U.S. Passport
– U.S. Birth Certificate
– Certificate of Naturalization
– Permanent Resident Card
– Some informal forms of identification (ID) are allowed, like a family Bible
– Etc.
– Identity Verification
– Valid Driver’s License
– Valid Passport
– Valid U.S. Military identification (ID) (unexpired)
– Etc.
Note: a U.S. Passport can be used for both identity and citizenship verification.
– Proof of current income (Proof of income from the last 30 days is needed for all household members aged eighteen (18) and over).
– This may include gross wages, Social Security Award Letter, Unemployment benefits, Food Stamp Award Letter, retirement, or Veterans Affairs (VA) Disability check.
– Declaration of Income form is required if over 18 without an income or receives cash payments without documentation of income
– Current light bill
The current electric bill is necessary for the application. If they are a Reliant customer, a meter number must be provided.
– Current gas bill (if using gas service).
– Structural damage/need for roof replacement, foundation repair, etc.
– Mold
– Pests
– Excessive storage/blocking access to the home
– Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning (HVAC) issues
– Electrical issues
– Plumbing issues
– Gas system issues (such as the stove)
– Other (asbestos, fire damage, split property)
– Some residents who do not speak English or Spanish might be delayed until an interpreter is available
– Lack of central air conditioning
– Exhaust vent without a pipe to the outside or no exhaust vent
– Air conditioning or heating system does not blow air
– Roof leaks or tarp covering part of the roof
– Stains on the ceiling caused by rain
– Visible black mold
– Holes larger than about 6×6 inches in sheetrock, floor, or wall due to sheetrock or plumbing leak damage
– Weakened sheetrock on the ceiling, for example causing sagging, popped nails, or open seams
– Active plumbing leaks
– Floor weak or rotted from previous plumbing leaks
– Structural problems causing cracks larger than ½ inch wide
Homes need to be weatherization ready to ensure the home has the highest chance of getting approved and to avoid the annoyance and stress of applying, waiting, and potentially getting rejected or deferred This means the applicant must make sure they have the documents they need, complete the application in full, make sure the home title is in the resident’s name if they are the owner, make sure their home does not need significant repair or maintenance
– Harris County/ City of Houston programs
– City of Houston Lead Paint Removal
– Harris County Lead Hazard Control Program
– South Texas College of Law Legal Clinic
– Make Justice Happen (a Houston Bar Association program)
– Mold remediation/cleanup
– Electrical service repairs
– Roof/ceiling/floor repair/replacement
– Wall repair (interior or exterior)
– Plumbing repairs
– Necessary clean-up or remediation of Lead Paint and Asbestos:
– Pest removal
– Additional activities to prepare the home for weatherization measures and/or alleviate health and safety concerns
– Health and Safety
– Smoke and Carbon Monoxide (CO) detectors
– The American Society of Heating, Refrigerating, and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE) compliance/ventilation and fresh air
– Repair or replacement of appliances creating dangerous Carbon Monoxide issues.
– Other identified health and safety concerns found by qualified inspectors.
– Light-emitting diode (LED) lighting
– Air Infiltration
– Duct Sealing
– Attic Insulation
– Wall Insulation
– Floor Insulation
– Refrigerator replacement
– Water savers – aerators and low flow shower heads
– Water heater tank insulation / pipe insulation
– Programmable thermostat
– Solar Screens
– Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning (HVAC) System inspection/repair/replacement
Utility Assistance is a federally funded program, allowing BakerRipley , to reduce residents’ energy bills through financial assistance (see table below). If a residents’ income is below 150% of the Federal Poverty Level, residents can get their utility bills paid. If their income is over the limit, they could still qualify for weatherization. Denial of utility assistance does not mean denial of weatherization.
If a resident qualifies, and there is still funding in the program for that year, BakerRipley will provide funding to their light bill company to pay their energy bill for them for a certain part of the year. The amount varies per household.
Because BakerRipley uses the same application for both the utility assistance and weatherization programs, residents who apply for weatherization might qualify for utility assistance- a program providing financial assistance to those who qualify to get their bills paid- if their income is below 150% of the Federal Poverty Level.
Community Navigators are residents from under-resourced parts of Harris County providing information to their neighbors and the wider community about weatherization, getting ready for weatherization, and applying for weatherization.
Improve energy understanding to ensure long-term energy savings.