• December 10, 2018

Cooler Weather Brings New Challenges to Some Home Owners

Cooler Weather Brings New Challenges to Some Home Owners

150 150 Elect Todd Hunter

Cooler Weather Brings New Challenges to Some Home Owners

With the winter months now upon us, I want to talk about an issue that some households may face during the cooler parts of the year. In addition to colder temperatures,our area’s combination of humidity and high winds can be particularly grueling during this time of year, especially for those living in homes without proper insulation. Fortunately, the State of Texas has a program to help limited income residents properly equip their homes for the winter months. This program, administered by the Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs(TDHCA), is known as the Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP). In this week’s article, I would like to share information about this program to help ensure the health and safety of all residents of the Coastal Bend this winter.

WAP was established with the goal of helping lower income residents live in more efficient homes through weatherization. To do this, the program provides assistance with installing weatherization-related materials and making other minor home repairs as well as providing helpful home safety tips. By weatherizing their home, residents are able to lower energy costs by ensuring their homes are properly insulated.

The program is administered through local WAP providers across the state. In ourarea, TDHCA works with the Nueces County Community Action Agency to provide assistance to Coastal Bend residents. To contact the Nueces County Community Action Agency, located at 101 South Padre Island Drive, please call 361.883.7201. According to the TDHCA’s website, the program offers the following types of services:

  • Energy audit (a review of your home’s energy efficiency, which identifies where air leaks may be occurring, inefficient appliances, etc.)
  • Installation of weatherization measures to increase energy efficiency of a home (structure must be able to benefit from being weatherized)
  • The weatherization work, including caulking; weather-stripping;adding ceiling, wall, and floor insulation; patching holes in the buildingenvelope; duct work, and tune-up, repair or replacement of energy inefficient heating and cooling systems
  • Installation of weatherization measures that  meet specific energy-savings goals
  • Ensure all installation materials meet the standards meet state and federal regulations

To learn more about the program and eligibility requirements, please see the information below from the Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs regarding the Home Weatherization Program:

  • Visit Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP)  
  • From a landline, call toll-free at (888) 606-8889 between 8 a.m.and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday. The toll free number will directly connect you with the WAP service provider in your county.

If you would like to follow the Texas House and learn more information on news, committees or other aspects of the legislative body, you can access its website at Texas House of Representatives.   The site features live streaming from committee hearings as well as access to a number of other resources.

               If you have questions regarding any of the information mentioned in this week’s article, please do not hesitate to call my Capitol or District Office. Please always feel free to contact my office if you have any questions or issues regarding a Texas state agency, or if you would like to contact my office regarding constituent services. As always, my offices are available at any time to assist with questions, concerns or comments (Capitol Office, 512-463-0672; District Office, 361-949-4603). 

– State Representative Todd Hunter, District 32

Rep. Hunter represents Nueces County (Part).  He can be contacted at todd.hunter@house.texas.gov or at 512-463-0672.