For Low-Income Families and Elderly...
Nebraska Receives $2.5 Million to Weatherize Homes

The U.S. Department of Energy awarded $2.504 million to the Nebraska Energy Office to improve the energy efficiency of the homes of low-income families. The Energy Office estimates that 558 homes will be weatherized in the state as a result of this grant.

Low-income families spend an average of 14 percent of their income on energy, compared with 3.5 percent for the average American

Blowing in attic insulation
according to the Department of Energy. Weatherization reduces an average home’s energy costs by $237 a year. The program gives a priority to low-income households with elderly members, people with disabilities and children.

Savings Keep on Coming, Year After Year
Energy savings resulting from weatherization typically last 20 years or longer. The cumulative savings since the program began is estimated at $66.5 million. About $4.2 million in new savings accrue annually.

Since the weatherization program began in 1979, Nebraska has received $93.11 million to make improvements in more than 55,765 homes. An estimated 54,000 homes of Nebraskans remain eligible for weatherization services.


Conducting an Energy Audit
using a blower door
In addition to funds from the U.S. Department of Energy, a small portion of the state’s Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program funds from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services are also used to weatherization houses. The vast majority of these funds are used to pay for heating and cooling bills for low-income Nebraskans.

Local weatherization service providers perform energy audits to identify the most cost-effective measures for each home, which typically include adding insulation, reducing air infiltration, servicing the heating and cooling systems, and providing health and safety diagnostic services. The federal energy agency estimates that for every dollar spent, weatherization returns $1.40 in energy savings over the life of the improvements. Other benefits include increased housing affordability, increased property values, job creation, lower owner and renter turnover, and reduced fire risks.
Find Out More
Additional information on free home weatherization services in the following areas can be found at:

Since weatherization services are limited, Nebraskans who cannot qualify for services are encouraged to make improvements on their own. There are a number of resources to help identify the most cost effective savings, including:
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