Weatherization program offers energy efficiency

Wahkiakum homeowners may be able to obtain financial assistance to weatherize their house.

The Lower Columbia Community Action Program (CAP) will receive nearly $900,000 from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act through the US Department of Energy. The funds will provide weatherization and client education on energy efficiency for residents of Wahkiakum and Cowlitz counties.

Weatherization of a home means checking interior and exterior areas to ensure the energy is being utilized to the full capacity. The whole process takes several months. It is open to homeowners or renters. Renters must have the property owner’s permission to participate.

It is free to anyone nationwide who meets the income guidelines.

Steve Mott, WX and Rehab field tech for CAP said that 26 non-profit agencies like CAP provide the weatherization service in Washington. CAP provides many social programs besides the weatherization, including Meals on Wheels.

CAP recently completed weatherization on the home of David and Jolene Harrison, and Mott used it as an example to expain the process. In the initial home visit, there is an eight page form that must be filled out. The technicians take measurements of air leakage. The initial tests showed the Harrison’s home to be losing its heated air.

The Harrison’s home had the full on treatment for weatherization, Mott said.

In the main entry to the home, a door gasket was installed to keep the cold wind from blowing inside the home.

Inside the main bathroom, a ‘whole house ventilation system’ was installed. A Panasonic WhisperGreen fan ensures the bathroom won’t develop mold or mildew. The fan, as its name states is so quiet, it is barely audible. The fan has two speeds. Full speed is used when someone is showering. An adjustable idle speed is used to monitor the air infiltration level that the house needs based on the number of bedrooms, occupants and total square footage of the house.

The technicians replaced old glass fiber insulation with new cellulose insulation, which is simply recycled and ground newspaper resembling dryer lint. With a system called “dense pack,” the insulation is applied to a density of five pounds per square inch to seal the wall and minimize the air penetration from outside.

One of the major diagnostic tools CAP techs use is called a “blower door.” The door creates a 35 mph windstorm outside the home so the techs can see what the inside conditions are. They are then able to diagnose where the problem areas are, Mott said.

David Harrison said during the snow event last winter, he had his furnace running continually but could not keep the house above 50 degrees. His bills averaged $575-$625 a month. With the new insulation, his bill dropped to $250.

“It’s made a big difference having the insulation in already,” David said.

Technicians cleaned and tuned up the furnace and repaired ductwork. Under the house, they found many of the ducts to be disconnected or damaged.

“Essentially, 50 percent of his heat was going down into the basement,” Mott said.

In the attic, many of the ducts had separated. Technicians had to make sure the ducts were reconnected before blowing in the insulation.

The Harrison family has lived in the home for five years. Harrison said his landlords, Mike and Francis Phelan, are pleased to have the work being done on the house. The total amount of weatherization and repair work amounted to nearly $15,000.

“They were happy to get it all done, because it saves them money,” David said. “They’re getting all this work done for free.”

Mike Phelan said he is pleased with the work CAP has done on his house. It makes the house more efficient for the renters and helps the homeowner as well.

“It’s a benefit for me too,” Phelan said. "The next people that come in, their heating bills will be lower too."

For more information about the weatherization program, contact CAP at 425-3430 ext. 231.