Illinois Weatherization Assistance Program

Remember as you read about Illinois, conserving resources, and the great job they’re doing for their homeowners and renters by offering programs that support energy conservation, that all States have similar programs. So, if you do not live in Illinois, but live in New Mexico or Florida, get on the web or the phone and contact your State Department of Energy, they can direct you to the people that can help you save energy and lower your power bill.  comment by Don Ames

The following information provided by various IHWAP and Illinois weatherization websites.

Question: How can I get help weatherizing my home?

Answer: The Illinois Home Weatherization Assistance Program (IHWAP) is designed to help low income residents save fuel and money, while increasing the comfort of their homes.

Question: What kind of help is available for Illinois senior citizens?

Answer: The Illinois Department on Aging serves and advocates for older Illinoisans and their caregivers by administering programs that conserve resources and promote partnerships that encourage independence, dignity, and quality of life. You can contact the Department’s toll–free Senior HelpLine at 800-252-8966 for free publications and additional information about aging services in Illinois.

The Illinois Home Weatherization Assistance Program (IHWAP) is designed to help reduce the energy costs for low income households by making their homes more energy efficient. For Program Years 2010-2012, this effort is being augmented by increased funding through the federal American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA). Energy conservation actions that can be funded through IHWAP include:

• • Air sealing
• • Attic and wall insulation
• • Furnace repair and replacement
• • Electric base load reduction (lighting and refrigerator, and
• • Window and door weatherization
• A maximum of $7,500 can be spent on each eligible client’s home for energy-related weatherization and repair work.

Am I Eligible?

Unlike LIHEAP, a household whose income is 200% of the federal poverty level may be eligible to receive IHWAP assistance. The chart below provides income eligibility requirements. Family Size Annual Income

• 1 person $21,780
• 2 people  $29,420
• 3 people  $37,060
• 4 people  $44,700
• 5 people  $52,340
• 6 people  $59,980
• For Each Additional Member Add $7,640

How Do I Apply?

Contact your local Community Action Agency to make an appointment to apply for LIHEAP. Locate the Community Action Agency nearest you.

Home Energy Saver: Do-It-Yourself Audit Tool

An excellent web-based Do-It-Yourself energy audit tool.

The Home Energy Saver is designed to help consumers identify the best ways to save energy in their homes, and find the resources to make the savings happen. The Home Energy Saver was the first Internet-based tool for calculating energy use in residential buildings. The project is sponsored by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), as part of the national ENERGY STAR Program for improving energy efficiency in homes, with previous support from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and the California Energy Commission’s Public Interest Energy Research (PIER) program.

The Home Energy Saver quickly computes a home’s energy use on-line based on methods developed at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory. By changing one or more features of the modeled home, users can estimate how much energy and money can be saved and how much pollution prevented by implementing energy-efficiency improvements. All end uses (heating, cooling, major appliances, lighting, and miscellaneous uses) are included. A detailed description of underlaying calculation methods and data is provided in a special report.

No-Cost Ways to Save Money & Energy

Turn down your thermostat to 68 degrees.

• For every degree you lower your heat in the 60-degree to 70-degree range, you’ll save an average of 3 percent on heating costs. Wear warm clothing like a sweater and set your thermostat to 68 degrees or lower during the day and evening, health permitting. Setting the thermostat back to 55 degrees when leaving home for an extended time can save you 5-20 percent of your heating costs (heat pumps should only be set back two degrees to prevent unneeded use of backup strip heating).

Replace or clean furnace filters once a month.

• Dirty filters restrict airflow and increase energy use. Now is also the time for a furnace “tune-up”. Keeping your furnace clean, lubricated and properly adjusted will reduce energy use, saving up to 5 percent of heating costs.

Reduce hot water temperature.

• Set your water heater to the “normal” setting or 120º, unless the owner’s manual for your dishwasher requires a higher setting. Savings are 7-11 percent of water heating costs. Insulate the first five feet of pipe coming out of the top of your water heater or the whole length until the pipe goes into the wall if that is less than five feet. Pipe insulation is available from your hardware store.

Use cold water when washing clothes.

• About 16 percent of an average home energy bill goes just for heating water. Most detergents clean well in cooler temperatures. Keep clothes dryer free of lint and inspect dryer vent to be sure it is free of obstructions.

Take a five-minute shower instead of a bath.

• Take a five-minute shower instead of a bath to reduce hot water use.

Let the sun in.

• Open drapes and shades on the sunny side of your house to help warm the home during the day. Close drapes and shades at night to cut heat loss.

Remove window air conditioning units for the winter.

• If you have a window air conditioning unit, remove it for the winter months to prevent heat from escaping through and around the unit. If it cannot be moved, buy a cover to prevent drafts.

Close your flue.

• Always make sure the fireplace damper seals tightly and remains closed except when a fire is burning or smoldering in the fireplace. Also shut fire place doors if installed.

Use your ceiling fan.

• Ceiling fans help keep you comfortable not only in the summer but in the winter as well. Reversing the direction of the blades pushes warm air down into the room. Fans should turn clockwise in the summer and counter-clockwise in the winter. When purchasing new ceiling fans, consider an Energy Star model for optimum fan and motor efficiency.

Put your computer to sleep.

• Activate “sleep” features on computers and office equipment that power down when the equipment is not in use for a while. Turn off equipment during longer periods of non-use to cut energy costs and improve longevity.

Don’t waste hot water.

• Adjust load size on washer to fit actual load. Set small loads to low water level to save water and energy.

Flip the switch.

• Turn off all appliances and equipment when not in use: lights, TVs, VCRs or DVDs, computers, other electronics.

Keep vent space clean & clear.

• Make sure heating registers, vents and cold air returns are not blocked by draperies, furniture or rugs. These should also be cleaned regularly with a vacuum or a broom.

Keep Warm Illinois

Welcome to Keep Warm Illinois, a one-stop site for information about how to battle winter in Illinois and how to tap to resources that help you keep yourself and your homes and businesses warm, and to do so efficiently and cleanly.

Keep Warm Illinois represents a collaboration among state agencies working together to serve the state’s residents under the direction of Governor Pat Quinn. These include the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity’s Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) and Illinois Home Weatherization Assistance Program (IHWAP), the Illinois Department of Human Services, the Illinois Emergency Management Agency, the Illinois Tollway, and other agencies.

CLEAN ENERGY PROGRAMS

Illinois boasts significant potential for renewable power and heating: wind, solar, and biogas offer both economic and environmental benefits. Wind energy costs have fallen significantly, and modern wind farms provide both stable income for farmers and significant property tax revenues for local governments. Biogas facilities allow livestock owners to transform wastes from pollution into clean energy, and solar thermal technologies offer an increasingly cost-effective alternative to volatile natural gas prices. Illinois strongly supports the development of these resources.

Table 1. Funding Availability June 1, 2011

New Construction Program

Provides grants to public sector entities to encourage applicants to design new or rehabbed buildings to achieve the greatest level of energy efficiency. The program offers $/kWh incentives for facility design improvements beyond code. Buildings seeking LEED certification will qualify for a design bonus on beyond code performance. Estimated electricity savings must be documented by energy modeling and/or supporting calculations. This program is part of the Illinois Energy Efficiency Portfolio and is limited to ComEd and Ameren Illinois electric service territories. The New Construction Program is managed by the Smart Energy Design Assistance Center (SEDAC).

Low Income Energy Efficiency

DCEO believes that affordable housing must be energy efficient to be truly affordable. DCEO has led this effort through the Energy Efficient Affordable Housing Construction Program initiated in 1988. Under this Program, grants are provided to Illinois based non-profit and for-profit housing developers to include energy efficient building practices in the rehab or new construction of affordable housing units. Average energy savings range from 50% to 75%.

Lights for Learning Program – A BRIGHT IDEA!

LIGHTS FOR LEARNING – A BRIGHT IDEA!!! The Lights for Learning fundraiser is a great way to raise money for your school or organization by having students sell energy efficient Compact Fluorescent Light (CFLs) bulbs. CFLs can last up to 10 times as long as an incandescent bulb while using 75% less energy. Schools or organizations earn a 50% profit and a free educational assembly or classroom presentation about energy conservation.

Hey, thanks for stopping bye Illinois and finding out how to save energy and lower your power bill. Hope to see you soon, but I won’t leave the light on for you…