Weatherization/Energy Management

Download the GEO Weatherization Application HERE 

 

The Energy Management Program, also known as Weatherization, weatherizes low and moderate income homes to reduce their fuel consumption and heating costs. Services include insulation, caulking, weather-stripping, and the installation of storm windows, and new energy-efficient furnaces and refrigerators. NWCCOG is a local administering agency under the Weatherization Assistance Program, and is under contract to the Colorado Governor's Office Weatherization Program. Weatherization has helped preserve affordable housing units in the region. By reducing a household's energy consumption and heating costs, these families have more income available to spend within their local communities.

On July 1, 2009, Weatherization's funding was significantly increased due to ARRA (the Stimulus). This has allowed a corresponding production increase. In the entire previous grant cycle (Weatherization uses the State of Colorado fiscal year of July through June) Weatherization worked on 200 homes; this figure was matched the last week of December 2009, when Weatherization recorded their 200th completion since July 1, 2009!

Old, inefficient furnaces are replaced with 95%-efficient models. Also, refrigerator electricity usage is measured as part of the initial energy audit and refrigerators using excessive amounts of electricity are replaced with a new Energy Star-rated refrigerator. All old refrigerators are returned to an appliance recycling facility in Denver.

Many of the homes, particularly mobile homes, weatherized in the High Country Weatherization Region have pre-existing health and safety problems. In addition to reducing energy consumption and heating costs, the weatherization process corrects any health and safety problems found, such as gas leaks and carbon monoxide problems. Every home that uses propane or natural gas receives a minimum of two safety inspections.

Weatherization has a main office in Silverthorne and a field office in New Castle. In addition to weatherizing homes within the NWCCOG region, NWCCOG also weatherizes homes in Chaffee, Clear Creek, Garfield, Lake, Moffat, Park, Rio Blanco, and Routt Counties.

In 2009... 

• In addition to the 87 units weatherized in member jurisdictions, the NWCCOG Weatherization Team also performed 215 units of weatherization in non-member counties.
• In January 2009, NWCCOG Weatherization completed work on energy efficiency upgrades at Machebeuf Apartments, an affordable housing complex in Glenwood Springs, Colorado. This project involved installing 90%-efficient furnaces, new venting and condensate drains, programmable setback thermostats, and attic insulation for each of the 56 units of the apartment complex. NWCCOG completed this project ahead of time and on budget on January 28, 2009. The work was funded by grants assembled by Energy Outreach Colorado.
  
  NWCCOG Weatherization has started installing pellet stoves in selected homes. The pellet stove program funding has been made possible by ARRA (Stimulus), and is one attempt by NWCCOG to use temporary Stimulus dollars to leave behind permanent manufacturing jobs in the region.

History of the Program

The Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP) began in the 1970's in response to the 1973 oil embargo, which increased the energy burden on low-income households. (The average low-income household spends 17% of its income on residential energy as opposed to 4% for the average American family.) NWCCOG has weatherized over 1500 homes since becoming a local administering agency under the WAP. Weatherization has helped preserve affordable housing units in the region and, by reducing a household's energy consumption and expenditures, increases the amount of money that these households have available to spend in their local communities. The Weatherization program has been demonstrated to be cost-effective in studies by both Oak Ridge National Laboratories and the Public Service Company of Colorado.

How Does the Program Work?

If you qualify, you may receive: caulking, weather stripping, insulation, storm windows, furnace tune-up, furnace replacement, refrigerator replacement and more FREE OF CHARGE!

Income Guidelines:

If you receive LEAP, TANF, OAP, or SSI, you automatically qualify for NWCCOG's Weatherization services. The improvements will be made by NWCCOG Weatherization Specialists through federal and state grant monies.

Interested? Please Call 1-800-332-3669