Success Stories Archive

Weatherization pays!
There is no simpler way to say it. Weatherization pays! Casa Grande residents Frank and Pamela Randall know firsthand what that means after struggling with a very leaky, energy-inefficient house built in 1957.

“Air was escaping from everywhere,” Frank said. “Through windows, ceiling vents, cracks around the doors, and, even a one-inch hole behind the stove that was leaking air up to the attic. The hot water heater wasn’t working and the air conditioner wasn’t doing its job. The house was so leaky that the rooms would not stay warm in the winter or cool in the summer.”

Challenged by a slowing economy, Frank had been underemployed for many months. Even so, Frank and Pamela were proactive energy savers, making improvements to the home that included installing a new air conditioner. But, they couldn’t afford the weatherization measures needed to make their home truly more energy efficient.

After seeing ads for the Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP) in Pinal County through the Community Action Human Resource Agency (CAHRA), Frank applied.

Following a short waiting period, the Randall’s were approved. A home energy audit determined what was needed to make their home more energy efficient. Among the improvements: their old, worn out water heater was replaced, ducts and envelope sealed and sun screens, CO2 and smoke alarms were installed. As a result, air leakage in the house was significantly reduced, and so was their electric bill.

The Randalls are enrolled in the APS Equalizer* plan which lets them pay the same amount each month. While they do not see fluctuations in their energy bill, their monthly kilowatt usage has dropped by 2065 kilowats over the last six months, a reduction that translates into a savings of approximately $165. The Randalls expect an even bigger savings in the summer months ahead.

“I want to do what I can to be green and reduce my footprint, ”Frank said. “This program is a godsend. My home now stays cooler longer, and the air conditioning has to run less often because I’m not losing energy like I once was. We immediately noticed an increase in our comfort level.”

Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP)
Created in 1976, the U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE) Weatherization Assistance program (WAP) enables low-income families to permanently reduce their energy bills by making their homes more energy efficient and is available free of charge to qualifying Arizona residents. WAP operates in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Native American tribes and U.S. Territories.

Funds to improve energy efficiency use the most advanced technologies and testing protocols available in the housing industry. The energy conservation efforts by state and local agencies helps our country reduce its dependence on foreign oil, decrease the cost of energy for families in need and improve the health and safety of their homes.

Energy efficiency measures address the building exterior, the home’s heating, cooling and electrical systems, and energy-consuming appliances. Weatherization audits that result in the installation of energy-efficient appliances, insulation, smoke detectors and other measures improve health and safety and provide sustainable solutions to save money and conserve energy year after year.

According to the U.S. Department of Energy, “weatherization today comprises a comprehensive series of energy efficiency measures that are based on sophisticated analyses of individual homes. These analyses take the whole-house approach, which maximizes energy and dollar savings. Because of this rigorous approach and analyses backing it up, weatherization has become a leader in advancing home energy science and helping spawn a new industry providing home energy efficiency services to the wider public.“

Benefits
The Randall’s are among hundreds of Arizona families taking advantage of weatherization services. The average yearly energy savings is 35%, or the equivalent of $437 in heating and cooling bill savings every year, depending on fuel prices.

For the low-income senior, that means more time in their home and perhaps less time in a nursing home being subsidized by taxpayer money. For the disabled it can mean living independently and with dignity. For the low-income family it can mean staying in their home or feeding their families.

Community Action Weatherization Assistance Programs also increase local employment, improve housing quality, provide better health and safety for residents and reduce costs on energy bills.

*The Equalizer plan is for the convenience and benefit of APS customers, and participation in it is free. Equalizer averages a customer’s energy usage into 12 equal payments, giving customers. the opportunity to budget for a known, upcoming expense. The monthly bill amount may be adjusted up or down throughout the year to reflect changes in the customer’s energy use. The Randall’s have already seen a XXXX reduction in their monthly bills.