A Retrospective Evaluation...
National Evaluation of the U.S. DOE Weatherization Assistance Program

U.S. DOE sponsored two major national evaluations of the Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP). These were multiyear, peer-reviewed, statistically robust efforts led by the Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL). The Retrospective Evaluation covered Program Year 2008 and is reflective of a typical year in WAP operations. The Recovery Act Evaluation covered Program Year 2010 and provides insights into the unique Program that was administered by U.S. DOE in the national effort to create jobs and promote economic recovery as part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009.

The Retrospective Evaluation was performed to provide information on the costs and benefits of WAP services in different parts of the country and for different types of housing. It was also performed to provide a comprehensive picture of the Program (including the characteristics of the clients, housing stock, and service providers) and assess program administration.

The Retrospective Evaluation found that the Program is effective, competent, and mission oriented. Specifically, the Program was found to provide cost-effective energy savings to American families, provide additional health and safety benefits, support jobs, and offer a stable platform for additional investment in energy efficiency. A Summary of Results is available that highlights the impact findings for both the Retrospective Evaluation and the Recovery Act Evaluation.

A total of 21 reports document the overall Retrospective Evaluation. An evaluation plan was developed at the beginning of the project to help plan and implement the effort. Nineteen reports document the various studies that comprised the evaluation. A summary of the evaluation was also written at the conclusion of the study. Links to these 21 reports are provided on the website at the bottom of the page.

Acknowledgment

Many people helped make the evaluation possible, including:

• the Grantees and Subgrantees that completed surveys and collaborated in various special studies;
• the utility companies that provided billing histories;
• the weatherization staff, weatherization recipients, and training centers that also completed surveys;
• the Subgrantee staff and weatherization recipients who contributed their time and thoughts to case studies;
• the panels of external expert reviewers who provided input into the design of the evaluation and comments on the products of the evaluations.

Project Team

ORNL led the evaluation and was joined by a team of independent evaluators, led by APPRISE, the Energy Center of Wisconsin, Dalhoff & Associates, and Blasnik & Associates.