With a goal of reducing energy costs and bringing homes up to safe, healthy and energy efficient standards, 14 homes in Cordova have recently received weatherization services through the Alaska Weatherization Program.

"This program is wonderful. I could not have afforded to hire anyone to come and do this work on my home," said Gloria Clark. "Now I can stand at the sink and do my dishes and the wind isn't blowing right off the lake and into the house."

Like other participants in the program, Clark's home underwent three assessments prior to weatherization. First, a simple written application examined annual energy usage, square footage and other basic information to determine eligibility. Following that, an onsite inspection was conducted by an energy specialist with the Alaska Community Development Corp. (AKCDC), as well as a diagnostic Blower-Door test that uses specialized software to model home energy use. The AKCDC energy specialist created a customized weatherization plan for the house that was later implemented by a professional contractor team from Alaska SafeTech Industries, including targeting diagnostic goals based on weatherization,.

The plan for Clark's home included caulking leaks throughout the home, plugging holes in the skirting, three new windows, a new Toyo stove, a fan in the bathroom and new smoke and carbon monoxide detectors. The contractor team repeated diagnostic testing prior to commencing work and upon completion, measured results against the targeted goals for each home. The level of investment varies from home to home depending on a number of factors, however, it can be as much as $8,500.

Weatherization program created in 1976

The Weatherization Assistance Program was created under Title IV of the Energy Conservation and Production Act of 1976. During a period of staggering increases in energy prices following the 1973 oil crisis, the program was designed to save imported oil and cut heating bills for low-income households, including senior citizens living on fixed incomes and Social Security, who were especially hard hit by rising energy bills.

Early emphasis was on low-cost measures such as covering windows with plastic sheeting and caulking and weather stripping windows and doors. Gradually over time the program became more comprehensive, addressing heating and cooling systems and other mechanical equipment. In the 1990s advanced home energy audits were adopted allowing more customized analysis of every home prior to weatherization with a goal of the most cost-effective treatment and results.

Until recently, funding for the Alaska program hovered around $4 million to $10 million annually. Weatherization programs were structured as grants to homes with an income cap of under $20,000, or for homes with higher incomes as a home-owner reimbursement program for improvements up to $10,000.

"The rebate program structure works for some people, but for others it can mean that the job never gets done or does not get finished," said Ron Waldron, president of Alaska SafeTech Industries. "Some home owners are spending $15,000-$20,000 in order to do the work and get the $10,000 rebate. There are a lot of people who just don't have the expertise or that kind of money."

Alaska boosts weatherization budget by $200 million

In 2008, the State of Alaska determined to pump $200 million into weatherization over five years through a capital budget investment. The program was expanded to include fully funded weatherization assistance and qualifying income caps were raised significantly. This commitment meant not only could far more homes be treated, but that more meaningful improvements could be made.

Additionally, under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (the Recovery Act), the federal Weatherization Assistance Program received $5 billion to weatherize nearly 600,000 homes and a number of amendments were enacted to allow more cost-effective measures to be installed in more homes, including raising the maximum dollar limit per dwelling.