Nearly 33,000 Boulder County households qualify for free weatherization assistance

Boulder County, Colo. - As the
weather turns colder, Boulder County is encouraging families to consider
weatherizing their homes to save money and energy and to stay warmer this
winter.

Monday,
October 30th is National Weatherization Day and the state’s
Weatherization Assistance Program is now over 40 years old! Weatherization
services can save between $200 and $300 annually on utility bills, and some
services – such as insulating attics or walls – can provide savings and comfort
for 30 years or more. The program also helps significantly reduce carbon
emissions by cutting energy use.

Weatherization
services provided through the county’s Longs Peak Energy Conservation (LPEC)
program are free and available to any household with income below 200 percent
of the Federal Poverty Level (FPL) in Boulder, Broomfield, Gilpin, and Larimer
Counties. As an example, for a family of three this equates to $40,840 or less in
gross annual income. In Boulder County alone, there are 32,985 households that could
qualify for free weatherization services. On average, these households spend 11
percent of their income on home energy bills.

“Utility
costs continue to rise, and this means many families are having to cut out
other things they need just to be able to heat their homes,” said Brittany
Kammerzell, LPEC Manager with the Boulder County Department of Housing and
Human Services. “Weatherization is a one-time service, but the benefits are
felt for many years and add up to long-term significant savings and a more
comfortable home.”

With the
weatherization service, LPEC technicians evaluate each home for possible energy
upgrades and then install them. Free eligible upgrades can include attic, wall,
or sub-space insulation, air leak sealing, storm windows, furnace repairs or
replacements, Energy Star refrigerators, low-flow shower heads, LED light
bulbs, and more.

“These services exist because safe and
affordable housing helps people live happier and healthier lives,” said Boulder
County Commissioner Elise Jones. “We want to help make homes in our area more
energy-efficient, more comfortable, and safer overall, and we hope those who
may qualify for these free weatherization services will reach out to our LPEC
team today.”

More
information about LPEC’s Weatherization program, including income
qualifications, is available at www.LongsPeakEnergy.org or by calling 720-864-6401.

Funding
for the weatherization program comes from the Colorado Energy Office, the U.S.
Department of Energy, the Low-Income Energy Assistance Program, and local
utility providers.