Steady Advance in Weatherization Technologies
Weatherization technologies include a wide range of energy efficiency measures for retrofitting homes and apartment buildings. Weatherization service providers choose the best package of efficiency measures for each home based on an energy audit of the home.
In the 32 years experience of the Weatherization Assistance Program, these technologies have grown from measures like caulking and weatherstripping to addressing the whole spectrum of energy-consuming systems in low-income homes.
- National Energy Audit Tool
- Insulation
- Blower Doors
- Air Sealing
- Windows
- Heating
- Water Heaters
- Air Conditioning and Warm Climate Weatherization Measures
- Electrical Appliances and Weatherization Base Load Measures
Energy Efficiency Fact Sheets for Homeowner and Weatherization Recipients
EERE's Buildings Technology Program publishes the following brochure on energy-saving strategies for homeowners:
- Energy Savers: Tips on Saving Energy and Money at home (PDF 429 KB) Download Adobe Reader.
For Weatherization Service Providers and Energy Professionals
Over the past few years, many weatherization providers have promoted the concept of "whole house weatherization." Under this concept, providers tackle the house as a single energy-consuming system, rather than a loose collection of unrelated systems. Using this approach, these providers can find the best combination of measures for reducing total energy consumption in low-income housing.
You can find a wealth of information about this whole-house approach and about putting the components together to make it happen from DOE publications and Web sites:
- Single-Family Residential Building Weatherization (PDF 136 KB) Download Adobe Reader.
DOE's Federal Energy Management Program has outlined its approach to whole-house weatherization; 4-pp., September 1998.
Another good source of information is found in the 1993 - 2000 archives of Home Energy Magazine.