Why Weatherize?

Saving Energy Helps the Environment and Saves you Money

By making some simple changes at home, weatherization can save a family money, make the home environment healthier, and save our earth’s precious resources!

Weatherization is the practice of modifying a building to protect its interior from the elements, to reduce energy consumption, and to optimize energy efficiency.   

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), through their Energy Star program, estimates that half of the energy used in the home is from heating and cooling.  Much of this energy is lost--seeping through cracks in windows and doors for instance--which wastes the energy and makes our homes less comfortable.  Weatherization home improvements such as caulking and weatherstripping can make a noticeable difference to eliminate drafts, reduce your energy bill in all seasons, and will last for many years.  

Save Money

• Every $1 spent weatherizing ends up saving $1.80 over time.
• On average, weatherization reduces energy bills by 32%, or hundreds of dollars per year.
• Weatherization reduces both heating and cooling costs, saving you money all year from summer to winter.
• Weatherization can create 52 direct jobs and 23 indirect jobs for every $1 million invested in weatherization projects.
  

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Is It a Struggle to Pay Energy Bills? 

Here's How Weatherizing Can Help:

• Have an average energy savings of 35%.  That is an equivalent of $437 in heating and cooling bill savings every year, depending on fuel prices.
• It can improve air quality and comfort of home.
• Many of the effective projects are low cost, meaning you can quickly see a return on your investment.
• Pending qualification, many of the weatherization programs, particularly the Weatherization Assistance Program, are geared towards low-income households (LIH).  You could qualify for a number of services.
• Weatherization is just a start.  Further simple energy efficient measures can add to your savings.

Why Weatherizing is Particularly Beneficial to You:

• 24% of LIH are likely to report having inadequate insulation in their houses while only 15% of non-LIH report this condition.
• Although LIH have 20% lower total energy bills than non-LIH, 3% more of their income goes towards their heating and air-conditioning bills.
• LIH spend 6.7% more of their total income on energy expenses than non-LIH.

In sum, while weatherizing can be advantageous for everyone, low-income households oftentimes can benefit the most from weatherizing.

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Save the Planet

• Save an estimated 2.65 metric tons of carbon dioxide per weatherized home per year, which is the same amount of carbond dioxide produced by driving an average car 48,000 miles a year. (ORLN Report)
• Over the lifespan of a weatherized unit, you can save 53.1 metric tons of carbon dioxide.  What you save in carbon dioxide is roughly equivalent to the amount of carbon dioxide produced by flying round-trip from Raleigh to Hawaii twelve times a year. (ORLN Report)
• Reduce the need for coal burning power plants:  Today, the vast majority of electricity purchased in the Piedmont Triad comes from coal burning power plants, which are significant contributors to the release of carbon dioxide.  North Carolina is so dependant on coal burning power plants that it produces almost as much carbon dioxide as California--a state four times the size of North Carolina.  (California suppliments coal with nuclear and other renewable energy) (Data from CARMA).
• Slow the buildup of greenhouse gasses:  Forsyth County estimates that 60% of its green house gas emissions are from these coal burning power plants.
• Stall the increase in Earth's temperatures:  Scientists agree that greenhouse gas emissions are being trapped in our atmosphere, causing an increase in the Earth's average temperature.  A warmer Earth may lead to changes in rainfall patterns, a rise in sea level, and a wide range of impacts on plants, wildlife, and humans.

And More

• Weatherizing can keep whistling wind, other outside noises, and rattling windows quiet.
• Keep unwanted air pollutants, dust, and insects from entering the home.
• You can get by with smaller capacity heating and air conditioning systems.
• Weatherization provides a comfortable environment, with smaller temperature swings.
• Maintain the health of the home by reducing the movement of moist air.
• Weatherization is a step towards becoming carbon neutral.

If you are interested in becoming carbon neutral, calculate your carbon footprint and learn how to off-set your carbon emissions. The Nature Conservancy is just one of many organizations that provide an on-line Carbon Calculator. 

Weatherization Glossary

Continue to How to Weatherize

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