RECOVERY ACT EFFICIENCY

Report: Nevada has weatherized nearly 4,000 homes under the Recovery Act
August 24, 2010 (Reno Gazette Journal)

"…Nevada has been selected to received nearly $7 million under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act to continue the state's Weatherization Assistance Program.

"…[Secretary of Energy Steven Chu] said Nevada has been one of the country’s weatherization leaders under the Recovery Act and is continuing to weatherize thousands of homes for Nevada’s low-income families. Through July, Nevada has weatherized a total of nearly 4,000 homes under the Recovery Act."

click to enlarge

"…[F]our high-performing local weatherization agencies in Las Vegas, Reno, Ely, and Carson City have been selected to receive nearly $7 million to install in-home energy monitors, photovoltaic systems, solar water heaters, heat pumps, residential wind turbines, and perform deep efficiency retrofits. The award selections were part of nearly $120 million in awards announced nationally to complement and expand existing weatherization programs, drive innovation in the program, and deliver even greater energy bill savings for local families…

"Nevada’s efforts are contributing to the success of the program nationwide. After ramping up last year, the Weatherization Assistance Program is now weatherizing homes at its optimal rate – approximately 25,000 homes per month. In June, states reported that nearly 31,800 homes were weatherized with Recovery Act funding – the most ever in a month. This summer alone, more than 80,000 homes will be weatherized across the country…"

click to enlarge

"The weatherization program is…putting carpenters, electricians, and factory workers back to work installing insulation, upgrading appliances, and improving heating and cooling systems. According to state reports, the Recovery Act Weatherization Assistance Program supported more than 13,000 jobs in the second quarter of 2010, including more than 80 jobs in Nevada.

"The U.S. Department of Energy’s Weatherization Assistance Program helps low-income families save energy and money by improving the energy efficiency of their homes. According to a recent study by Oak Ridge National Laboratory, weatherization services save families an average of more than $400 in energy costs during the first year after home retrofits are installed."