Some homeowners in need don’t qualify for government weatherization programs » Yale Climate Connections – GWC Mag

Sealing air leaks and adding insulation can improve a home’s energy efficiency, which helps people save money on their utility bills.

But some of the homeowners with the greatest need do not qualify for government programs that help cover the cost of weatherization.

Leaky roofs, mold problems, and old or faulty wiring can make weatherization improvements ineffective or even dangerous. So those problems need to be addressed before a home can qualify for federal weatherization assistance.

“If you do not have pre-weatherization or critical health and safety repairs handled, which many households cannot afford, well, that is an obstacle to … signing up for energy efficiency upgrades,” says Adaora Ifebigh of Sol Systems.

The renewable energy developer is partnering with Google to provide funding to four local organizations in North and South Carolina.

The groups will use the money to help lower-income households in the region complete pre-weatherization repairs.

The goal is to help homeowners get to the point where they can take advantage of energy efficiency and sometimes even renewable energy programs.

“We’re looking at this as a holistic approach to ensuring that communities are not being left behind,” Ifebigh says.

Reporting credit: Sarah Kennedy/ChavoBart Digital Media