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Show Notes for July 18, 2009
This week on the radio show, On The House talked about everything under the sun. Topics included concrete/tile floor clean-up and adhesive removal, mildew elimination, and energy-efficiency techniques. Rebecca took a few questions on design and gardening, while James and Morris discussed a new federal program to assist homeowners with weatherization. For more information on this issue and links to everything discussed in this week’s program, read the rest of the show notes.
STATES AWASH IN STIMULUS MONEY TO WEATHERIZE HOMES
Ready or not, states are getting a tenfold boost in federal money to weatherize drafty homes, an increase so huge it has raised fears of waste and fraud and set off a scramble to find workers and houses for them to repair.
The program that installs insulation in homes and makes them more energy-efficient is distributing $4.7 billion in stimulus funds — dwarfing the $447 million originally planned by Congress this year and the $227 million spent in 2008.
That is enough to weatherize 1 million homes, instead of the 140,000 normally done each year.
As of July 10, 2009: 20 states have received Recovery Act funding for Weatherization Assistance Program. More states are to follow in the coming weeks.
• Alabama, Arkansas, Idaho, Iowa, Kentucky, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, Oklahoma, Rhode Island, Texas, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, Wisconsin, and Wyoming.
• States received 40% of their total weatherization funding authorized under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. This installment adds to the initial 10% of the states' funding allocations that were awarded previously for training and ramp-up activities. Under the Recovery Act, the states may spend up to 20% of the funds to hire and train workers.
• The remaining 50% of funds will be released when states meet reporting, oversight, and accountability milestones required by the Recovery Act.
• States will spend an average of $6,500 to weatherize each home.
WHO IS ELIGIBLE?
As many as 20 to 30 million U.S. families are eligible for weatherization services nationwide. Services are provided by the states, and each state has slightly different criteria. All energy services are handled by local weatherization agencies.
If you receive Supplemental Security Income or Aid to Families with Dependent Children, you are automatically eligible to receive weatherization services. In other cases, states give preference to:
• People over 60 years of age
• Families with one or more members with a disability
• Families with children (in most states).
One of the primary factors affecting eligibility is income. Depending on what state you live in, you are eligible for weatherization if your income falls below the "200% poverty level." However, some states use an alternative method to set eligibility: if your income is less than 60% of the median income in your state.
WHAT DOES WEATHERIZATION PROGRAM INCLUDE?
• National Energy Audit Tool: Computer program designed for state and local agencies and utilities to determine the most cost-effective energy efficiency measures for single-family homes.
• Insulation: Adding insulation is a part of almost every weatherization project. Making sure there is enough insulation in the walls, foundation, and roof-anywhere there is a barrier between the home and the outside.
• Blower Doors: Blower doors reveal the location of many leaks, thus providing a clear target for air sealing.
• Air Sealing: Typically, weatherization work crews add caulking and weatherstripping around windows and doors to reduce drafts. Weatherization crews increasingly seal the air in attics and basements as well.
• Heating: In some homes, heating equipment is so old and inefficient that replacing it with modern, high-efficiency units is cost effective. They will clean and tune up a furnace or boiler that has not been serviced recently and adjust the controls as a routine part of weatherization.
• Water Heaters: Almost two-thirds of homes weatherized receive some sort of improvement to their water heating systems. Most have insulation added to the water tank and pipes, and an even larger number receive low-flow showerheads.
• Air Conditioning and Warm Climate Weatherization Measures: Weatherization service providers address cooling systems in homes located in warm climates.
• Windows: They DO NOT replace windows
• Electrical Appliances: They DO NOT replace appliances
• Great Backyard Giveaway - Last chance to enter for your chance to win $15,000 worth of prizes!
• Weatherization Assistance Program - Home page with different links for all information on the federal program.
• State-by-State Weatherization Guide - State-by-State contactS on how to get started with the program in your area
• Stainhandler - clean your roof & deck easily with the environmentally friendly cleaner.
• General Tools - One-stop shop for hand tools, woodworking tools, plumber's tools and test instruments.
• Traeger Wood Pellet Grills - No backyard is complete without a Traeger Grill, the best BBQ from a grill!
• Grip-Tite Super Socket Sets - the sockets with bite! They grab damaged and rusted bolts with ease!
• W∙H∙Y Trap - captures 21 species of wasps, hornets and yellowjackets. RESCUE! Makes pest control smarter.
• Tahoe Creamery - Tahoe Creamery produces all natural, gourmet ice cream equal to the fresh purity of Lake Tahoe.
• Chef Jamie Gwen - Check out Chef Jamie’s website for great recipe ideas.
• Klean-Strip - Easy adhesive removal products.
• Radon - Information from the EPA on radon gas.
• Recall of the Week - Steam Cleaners Recalled by Thane Due to Shock and Burn Hazards.
If you need any more information about today's program, please contact us
or post on our new Home Improvement Forum and we'll try to help you
find what you need. Thanks for listening to On The House with the Carey Brothers!
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