County Weatherization Program Helps You Save Energy—And Money

A new countywide program may help residents save money on their utility bills.

The Neighborhood Preservation and Sustainability Department of Alameda County's Community Development Agency has begun to implement a grant it received last year to begin a new countywide Weatherization Assistance Program. 

Weatherization is a method of modifying homes and buildings to reduce energy use and increase energy efficiency.

Carole Kajita of the agency’s Planning Department says the $1.9 million grant, from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, provides funding for eligible homeowners and renters residing in single family housing up to four family multi-unit housing in Union City, Alameda, Castro Valley, Dublin, Fremont, Hayward, Livermore, Newark, Oakland, Piedmont, Pleasanton, San Leandro and Sunol. Albany, Berkeley and Emeryville already have their own existing program.

The aim of the program is to save money by improving energy efficiency and to ensure the health and safety of eligible low-income applicants in qualifying areas.

“Conserving energy usage will result in lower utility bills,” Kajita said at the weatherization meeting at on Wednesday afternoon. "It’s important to get the word out as many ways as we can.”

The program is open until March 2012 or until funds are depleted. So the earlier residents apply, the better.

Applications take about two weeks to process, according to Rajesh Varma of the Weatherization Assistance Program. Applicants will be notified by mail of their program eligibility status. Eligible applicants must take an assesment test to determine what energy efficiency measures are needed.

Weatherization measures are determined on a case by case basis after a home diagnostic assessment has been conducted.

“Those measures might include weatherization stripping, insulation, furnace repair, or high efficiency light bulbs,” Weatherization Outreach Specialist David Shen said during the presentation. 

There are three parts to the program. First is a housing inspection to determine what changes can be made to make a dwelling more weatherproof, such as checking floor and attic insulation, water heaters, faucets and air-flow. Second is repair work to be performed by county approved contractors. Third is a post repair inspection for quality assurance.

Program eligibility is based on income criteria and requires supporting documents.

All energy efficiency measures are free for income-qualified applicants. Households must be at or below 2009 California State Assistance Program Guidelines based on household size and 75 percent of state median income.

 To qualify applicants must submit the following:

• A completed weatherization application

All sources of income for each over 18 year-old household member for the last month

• The most current PG&E utility bill with the applicants name and address
• Proof of citizenship or legal status

Applications can be picked up in person at one of the meetings and are available at the County Office at 224 West Winton Ave. in Hayward. They are also available in PDF format and can be  downloaded at http://www.acgov.org/cda/nps/.

For an appointment with a Weatherization Specialist, call (510) 670-6125 or email infoweatherization@acgov.org

Informational meetings about the program and application process will be held throughout the county.

• Tuesday, April 26, 2-3 p.m. at the San Lorenzo Public Library, 395 Paseo Grande Avenue, San Lorenzo
• Friday, May 6, 1-2 p.m. at the City of Fremont Public Library, 2400 Stevenson Boulevard, Fremont

Tuesday, May 10, 2-3 p.m. at the City of Hayward Public Library, Weekes Branch, 27300 Patrick Avenue, Hayward