DECATUR, Ala. – Each year when the cooler breeze begins to blow, Community Action Partnership of North Alabama (CAPNA) begins to accept applications for its weatherization assistance program.
Meant for income-eligible families and households in Cullman, Lawrence, Marion, Morgan, Walker and Winston counties, the weatherization assistance program assists homeowners in assessing and correcting problem areas within the home that lead to energy loss and, therefore, higher utility bills, at no cost to the owner.
According to CAPNA, households that participate have experienced an average of 30% less energy consumption after completion of the repairs, upgrades and maintenance. CAPNA.org shows that in 2018, 54 homesteads were served by the program and each participating household had an average of $10,967 in weatherization efforts.
Measures to help cut energy costs while keeping homes and interior rooms warm and safe include:
- Sealing air openings around pipes
- Caulking and weather stripping windows
- Caulking and weather stripping exterior doors
- Door sweeps
- Repair or replace thresholds
- Seal air passages around air conditioner units
- Attic insulation (if applicable)
- Compact fluorescent bulbs
- Wrap water heaters with insulated blankets
- Build attic access
- Weatherstrip attic access
- Mechanical venting
CAPNA’s program might also offer homeowners maintenance or services done to improve the home’s overall safety on the following, if the below are causing energy loss from the home:
- Replace un-vented gas heater
- Carbon monoxide detector smoke alarm
- Fire extinguisher
- Enclose exposed wires
- Install outlet and gasket covers
- Replace hot water heaters
The program is funded through CAPNA, a nonprofit organization, the U.S. Department of Energy, other partnerships and grant funds. Applicants can find the program’s requirements and application information online at www.capna.org/weatherization.
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