Cooler Weather Brings New Challenges To Some Home Owners
In this week’s article, I want to talk about an issue that some households may be facing during the cooler parts of the year. Here in South Texas we face high winds and humidity that can be particularly grueling during the winter months. A program exists that seeks to help those who have a limited income and have challenges with poor insulation in their home. In Texas, the Texas Housing and Community Affairs has a program known as the Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP). This program is administered in Texas along with the United States Department of Health and Human Services Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program and the United States Department of Energy (DOE).
This program is designated to assist certain low income customers lower their energy costs by installing weatherization related materials, along with helpful tips and education to the consumer. The WAP works to help create and establish more households that have efficient homes. Overall, the program is administered through local WAP providers. To give examples of what some eligible activities, please see the below information from the Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs website:
• 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 consists of caulking; weather-stripping; adding ceiling, wall, and floor insulation; patching holes in the building envelope; duct work, and tune-up, repair or replacement of energy inefficient heating and cooling systems.
• The weatherization measures to be installed must meet specific energy-savings goals.
• Approved weatherization measure resources:
• Also, the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) only allows installation of materials using DOE funds as detailed in 10 CFR Part 440 Appendix A: Weatherization Installation Guidelines.
• If DOE approves a new technique or technology the material is added to the list in Appendix A (above).
• Vendors that would like to have their products (technologies and techniques) reviewed by DOE may visit Technical Tools.
In addition, if you would like to learn more about eligibility for these types of services, please see the information below from the Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs website about the Home Weatherization Program:
• Visit Texas Department 0f Housing and Community Affairs for weatherization information.
• Call 2-1-1 and the operator will direct you to your local utility assistance service provider.
• 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. You can also follow the Texas Senate at Texas Senate. For important information regarding transportation in the state, feel free to visit the Texas Department of Transportation. Other references are the Texas General Land Office, or visit the Texas Railroad Commission.
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.state.tx.us or at 512-463-0672.
