FOX 5 Money: Home Weatherization

The modest houses on Highwood Drive in Silver Spring, Maryland have a proud history. The community was built for soldiers returning home after World War II.

Today, they're home to families on moderate incomes and many, like the Lowerys, are leaking energy like crazy.

"You'll actually feel the air blowing out of here," says Richard Lowery, his hand over one of the electrical outlets.

Lowery says the family's utility bills became a burden when he became unemployed late last year. Finally, he decided to make a call for energy assistance.

Now, his home is the first in Maryland to get energy improvements courtesy of the American Reinvestment and Recovery Act. Maryland is getting $61 million dollars from the US Department of Energy for home weatherization programs.

Lowery says he never expected to receive help like this.

"It's like winning the lottery, really." says Lowery.

Rockville Window and Door is conducting an energy audit first. Then, the company will make upgrades to insulation, lighting, furnaces and more.

Maryland homes with incomes below 200 percent of the poverty level can get up to $6,500 worth of work performed. Co-owner Rafael Pagan says that's a substantial amount, allowing for some major improvements to doors or windows in older homes as well.

Maryland Governor Martin O'Malley toured the work being down at the Lowery home, and said the money will help nearly 7,000 other families.

"These weatherization projects will save the average family $300 to $400 a year on utility bills," announced O'Malley.

If you do the math in Maryland, that adds up to $2.5 million in savings, for a $ 61-million investment. It doesn't sound like a good return, but the program aims to do more than just cut down on energy bills.

Energy improvement companies say the stimulus is helping their businesses. A total of $11 million of the weatherization funds will be set aside for job training programs.

"We don't have to get rid of anyone in a time when the economy is slow, and the other thing is that we're in the process of adding people on." said Pagan.

Saving jobs, saving energy, and bringing a little bit of sunshine to Maryland homes that need it most.
 

For more on the home weatherization program and how you can apply, check out the following links and information:

Maryland Weatherization Assistance
(800) 638-7781
www.mdhousing.org

US Department of Energy Weatherization Program
http://apps1.eere.energy.gov/weatherization/