WEATHERIZATION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM
Prince George's County has received funds to administer a Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP) to assist low-income county residents reduce their energy consumption that will result in lowering their utility bills. The Prince George's County Department of Housing and Community Development is one of three WAP agencies that will implement weatherization activities in the county. WAP assists eligible low-income households improve energy conservation by retrofitting dwelling units to improve energy efficiency. To determine, if and what services are to be rendered, a whole house energy audit is performed on each house, using Department of Energy approved standards developed by the Oak Ridge National Laboratory for the nationwide Weatherization Assistance Program network.
To ensure uniform standards, a training program generally taught at local community colleges through their technology programs is required for all primary program staff as well as all contractor crews. Prince George's Community College is one of the statewide centers for weatherization technology training. Special emphasis is placed on a rigorous curriculum and certification process for program energy auditors who play the crucial role of determining what work is to be performed to meet the maximum achievable energy savings while still maintaining the health and safety of the household occupants. After work is completed, post audits are done to verify that work has met the Savings to Investment Ratio (SIR) specified in the initial scope of work. Through use of specialized equipment, primary effort is centered on detecting and reducing air infiltration in the dwelling structure. The detailed energy audit specifies the means and methods that will be undertaken to meet pre-determined energy conservation goals. To improve conservation, and reduce energy consumption, common service options may include:
- Insulating attics, floors and walls, basements, crawl spaces etc.;
- Caulking/ air sealing around windows, doors, crawl spaces and other outlets;
- Wrapping/ hot water heaters and pipes;
- Replacing /cleaning/repairing furnaces;
- Installing low energy light bulbs and or energy saving thermostats;
- Making hot water system improvements;
- Installing lighting retrofits;
- Repairing/replacing certain outdated-energy inefficient appliances; and
- Addressing health and safety items
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Priority is given to elderly homeowners who are 60 and over, disabled residents and families with children under age five (5). Consideration may also be given to households that have high and excessive energy consumption. Preference will be given to homeowners, but eligible renters may apply, and will be given consideration in accordance with the Weatherization Assistance Program's Rental Property Investment Program. Within that group, emphasis will be directed at assisting elderly and disabled citizens whose utility payments are a disproportionate share of their total income. Residents assisted cannot have received services through the WAP in the past ten (10) years and must have income of no more than 60% of the State Median Income.
2009 Income Eligibility Limits
| Family Size | Monthly Income | Annualized Income |
| 1 | $2,520 | $30,249 |
| 2 | $3,296 | $39,556 |
| 3 | $4,072 | $48,864 |
| 4 | $4,847 | $58,171 |
| 5 | $5,623 | $64,479 |
| 6 | $6,398 | $76,786 |
| 7 | $7,174 | $86,93 |
| 8 | $7,950 | $95,400 |
| Each Additional Person Added |
$775 | $9,307 |
The DHCD has collaborated with the Prince George's County Department of Social Service in implementing the Weatherization Assistance Program. Referrals for WAP are received from DSS of individuals who have been certified to receive assistance with their utility bills under Maryland Energy Assistance Program (MEAP). The WAP program processes these individuals to determine their eligibility for assistance for weatherization.
The Department of Housing Weatherization program is a start-up program. Over a three year period ending in 2012, the program is slated to receive $2,750,000.00 from two funding sources: (American Reinvestment and Recovery Act (ARRA) and Strategic Energy Investment Fund (SEIF) to provide weatherization assistance to approximately 400 county households. As part of ramp up, staff was hired in late October, and application processing began in November. Staff and contractors have taken training at Prince George's Community College's Technology Program. Home energy audits and weatherization unit production will start in January-February.
