Progress report of the National Weatherization Assistance Program

Berry, Linda; Brown,; Kinney, L.F.

doi:10.2172/582517

Cited by 19 publications

(17 citation statements)

References 6 publications

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“…An analysis, published in 1995, of measured data from the National Weatherization Assistance Program (NWAP), which targets single family and multi-family homes of low income persons, indicated a 13.5% reduction in total energy use [7]. A subsequent meta-analysis of 17 state-level evaluations of the NWAP indicates a 23% reduction in natural gas use in gas-heated homes [10]. Each of these larger programs that reported energy savings employed retrofit measures that overlap highly with the retrofits in the present study.…”

Section: Analysis Of Energy Savingsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Energy Impacts of Energy and Indoor Environmental Quality Retrofits of Apartments in California

Fisk

Norris

Singer

2013

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Monthly gas and electricity use data from a set of 13 study apartments and 20 control apartments from three apartment buildings (B1 -B3) in California were analyzed. The study apartments were retrofit with simultaneous energy savings and indoor environmental quality (IEQ) improvements as the goal. The control apartments were not retrofit. Pre-retrofit modeling indicated annual energy savings of 21%, 17%, and 27% for the study apartments in B1-B3, respectively. Based on a comparison of changes in energy use of study apartments to energy use changes of control apartments, total measured savings of gas energy plus site electrical energy were 28% in B1, 5% in B2, and 3% in B3. Given the small number of study apartments and the substantial changes in energy use within control apartments, the project yielded no conclusive evidence of energy savings. Apartment energy use increased with number of occupants and with floor area; however, the association with occupancy was most evident. Climate differences did not appear to be the major driver for the variability in energy use among apartments. Changes in occupant behaviors affecting energy use may have overwhelmed and obscured the energy savings in this small number of buildings. Much larger prior studies employing similar retrofits indicate that the retrofits usually do save energy. BACKGROUNDThe U.S. is implementing many energy retrofits in homes with the goal of reducing building energy consumption and carbon dioxide emissions, as well as improving national energy security. Several protocols and tools exist to help with the selection and implementation of housing energy retrofit measures [1]. These protocols are typically based on energy models, engineering judgment and costbenefit analysis, rarely considering potential effects on indoor environmental quality (IEQ). Features of IEQ that may be affected by retrofits include thermal comfort conditions, indoor air pollutant concentrations, and acoustic and lighting conditions [2][3][4]. Although retrofit efforts provide an opportunity to simultaneously save energy and improve occupant's health and comfort, potential IEQ improvement opportunities are often not considered during selection of retrofits measures.

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Section: Analysis Of Energy Savingsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Energy Impacts of Energy and Indoor Environmental Quality Retrofits of Apartments in California

Fisk

Norris

Singer

2013

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“…The WAP often uses high density insulation methods that also reduce excess air infiltration, and duct sealing to reduce AC and heating costs. (Berry et al, 1997) Evaluation data show the WAP reduces average gas-heat bills by about 20%. (Schweitzer, 2005) Combining lead safe window replacement with high density insulation methods and duct sealing could double the energy savings and associated market benefits shown in Table 2 …”

Section: The Documented Benefits Of Avoided Preschool Lead Exposurementioning

confidence: 99%

Energy-efficient housing stimulus that pays for itself

Nevin¹

2010

Energy Policy

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This paper describes an energy efficient housing stimulus strategy that can: (1) quickly provide large-scale job creation; (2) reduce home energy bills by 30% to 50% with associated reductions in emissions and energy assistance spending; (3) stabilize home values and reduce foreclosure inventory; (4) help to eliminate childhood lead poisoning; and (5) implement regulatory reforms that highlight market incentives for cost effective energy efficiency and alternative home energy investments. These benefits, far in excess of costs, can be achieved by combining "lead-safe window replacement" with other weatherization activities and simple regulatory and market reforms. This strategy can help to coordinate American Recovery and Reinvestment Act funding for energy efficiency, the $75 billion Making Home Affordable plan to reduce foreclosures, and the recently announced partnership between the Departments of Energy (DOE) and Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to streamline weatherization efforts and spur job creation. Energy Efficient Housing Stimulus that Pays for ItselfPresident Obama has charged his economic team with finding "areas where we can get a twofer, where we're getting both a short-term stimulus and we're also laying the groundwork for long-term economic growth." (CQ Transcriptswire, 2008) This paper presents a strategy that can yield a fiver: (1) provide large-scale job creation; (2) reduce home energy bills by 30% to 50% with associated reductions in emissions and federal spending for energy assistance; (3) stabilize home values and reduce the foreclosure inventory; (4) help to eliminate childhood lead poisoning; and (5) implement regulatory reforms that highlight market incentives for cost effective energy efficiency and alternative energy investments. These benefits, far in excess of costs, can be achieved by combining "lead-safe window replacement" with other weatherization activities and simple regulatory and market reforms. This strategy can provide a critical connection between American Recovery and Reinvestment Act funding for energy efficiency, the $75 billion Making Home Affordable plan to reduce foreclosures, and the recently announced partnership between the Departments of Energy (DOE) and Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to streamline weatherization efforts and spur job creation. Large-Scale Job CreationWindow replacement is a labor intensive activity that can quickly create millions of jobs with window manufacturers and their suppliers and, importantly, for housing renovation workers, especially hard hit by the housing market decline. Secondary, economic multiplier effects would include increased demand for light trucks from workers employed by this initiative. The 2008 spike in gas prices has (belatedly) discouraged the use of light trucks in rush hour commutes, but Nevin -Energy Efficient Housing Stimulus that Pays for Itself -4/9/2009 -Page 2 of 30 the light truck market has also been hard hit by the decline in housing construction and renovation work, where trucks are essenti...

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“…Although home weatherization is sometimes associated with increased indoor air pollution and mold and moisture problems, WAP has found that occupants of properly weatherized homes report a lower incidence of colds, flu, allergies, headaches, and nausea, while a control group showed no change over the same period (Berry, Brown, and Kinney 1997). Some of these health benefits may be directly related to energy efficiency improvements that reduce drafts and improve temperature consistency, but WAP also routinely repairs combustion equipment and exhaust ventilation systems to reduce the risk of carbon monoxide poisoning and other health hazards.…”

Section: Children With Ebl (Inmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…A cost-effective way to provide energy savings and previously unrecognized health benefits is to add wall insulation with high-density installation HOUSING POLICY DEBATE methods that provide significant energy savings related to air infiltration (Berry, Brown, and Kinney 1997). An ENERGY STAR home sealing standard combines an upgrade to ENERGY STAR windows with high-density insulation to achieve DOE-recommended levels, which vary by climate region, and better management of the fresh air supply, which can be verified by "blower door" tests (EPA 2001a).…”

Section: Children With Ebl (Inmentioning

confidence: 99%

Windows of opportunity: Lead poisoning prevention, housing affordability, and energy conservation

Nevin

Jacobs

2006

Housing Policy Debate

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We used housing demolition and window replacement rates to forecast prevalence trends for childhood lead poisoning and lead paint hazards from 1990 to 2010 for the President's Task Force on Environmental Health Risks and Safety Risks to Children. The mid-point of that forecast has now been validated by national blood lead data and the 1998-2000 National Survey of Lead and Allergens in Housing.The validation of the task force model and new analysis of these survey data indicate that window replacement explains a large part of the substantial reduction in lead poisoning that occurred from 1990 to 2000. A public-private effort to increase window replacement rates could help eliminate childhood lead poisoning by 2010. This effort would also improve home energy efficiency and affordability, in addition to reducing air pollution from power plants, and a broader initiative could reduce other housing-related health risks as well.

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Progress report of the National Weatherization Assistance Program

Cited by 19 publications

References 6 publications

Energy Impacts of Energy and Indoor Environmental Quality Retrofits of Apartments in California

Energy Impacts of Energy and Indoor Environmental Quality Retrofits of Apartments in California

Energy-efficient housing stimulus that pays for itself

Windows of opportunity: Lead poisoning prevention, housing affordability, and energy conservation

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