La Casa Weatherization

La Casa Weatherization identifies energy waste and provides cost-effective, energy-saving measures and education to residential households in Waukesha, Jefferson and Milwaukee counties. Identifying and evaluating energy deficiencies involves measuring wind drafts, carbon monoxide levels and other discomforting and/or unsafe household occurrences. The energy saving measures and education that La Casa Weatherization offers include but are not limited to: attic, sidewall, and crawl space insulation; air infiltration, heating system, refrigerator, and water heater replacement; duct work and participant education. The services offered result in more energy-efficient, comfortable and safer homes. Highly skilled weatherization specialists with years of experience using the latest technology ensure the work is completed in a professional and timely manner. La Casa de Esperanza is the only nonprofit provider of these services in Milwaukee, Waukesha and Jefferson counties, and portions of the city of Milwaukee.

Weatherization services are available to qualified low-income individuals. La Casa will send a staff energy auditor to the home to determine areas of energy loss and inefficiency. A plan for energy conservation is then developed and a crew of workers are sent to install needed materials.

Overview

The United States Department of Energy, Weatherization Assistance Program, reduces energy usage for low-income households by increasing the energy efficiency of their home while ensuring their health and safety.

Mission

To reduce the energy burden on low-income residents by installing cost effective energy efficient measures, while ensuring their health and safety.

Objective

To deliver quality energy efficient and health and safety services to all eligible residents in Jefferson, Waukesha and Milwaukee County (including some portions of the city of Milwaukee).

History

The Weatherization Program was created during the 1973 Arab oil embargo to assist low-income families who lacked the resources to respond to volatile energy markets by investing in energy efficiency. In this early phase, volunteers installed low-cost conservation measures such as plastic window insulation to reduce heating and cooling bills. Weatherization has evolved into a sophisticated program, which addresses whole house energy efficiency and promotes a whole community approach. Weatherization is the nation's largest residential energy efficiency program. The program provides energy efficiency services to more than 100,000 homes every year. Though over 5 million households nationwide have received Weatherization Services since the inception of the program in 1976, nearly 27 million households are currently eligible for services.

Assessment

High energy bills create an unmanageable burden for low-income families. Low-income households spend nearly 14% of their annual income on energy compared to 3.5% for other households. Rising energy prices can increase this burden to 20% or more. Low-income families often cut back on other necessities to pay their energy bills.

Operations

The base program offers the same services to all eligible dwellings in every county in the state. Identifying and evaluating energy deficiencies involves measuring wind drafts, carbon monoxide levels and other discomforting and unsafe household occurrences. These basic whole house weatherization services include insulation, infiltration reduction, pressure imbalances, sealing and repairing ducts, furnace tune-ups or replacement, compact fluorescent lamps, and refrigerator replacement in addition to health and safety measures. The weatherization crews use computerize energy audits and advance diagnostic equipment, such as a blower door, manometer, or infrared camera, to determine the most cost effective measures appropriate for each home.

All Around Benefits

Weatherization reduces home energy consumption and lowers energy bills for low-income families, alleviating the heavy energy burden on low-income households to help them become more self-sufficient and for them to be able to better meet their energy costs on an on going basis without sacrificing other necessities. The weatherization measures installed provide long-term relief for low-income families and prepare and protect against future fluctuations in energy prices and supplies. Weatherization is a cost-effective investment of taxpayer dollars. For every $1 invested in the program, Weatherization returns $2.10 in energy-related benefits. The program produces non-energy benefits as well. Weatherization improves local air quality, avoids emissions of greenhouse gases, reduces risk of fires, decreases cases of homelessness, and much more. Weatherization reduces the nation's dependence on foreign oil imports and plays an important role in the nation's energy security. Weatherization reduces national energy demand by the equivalent of 18 million barrels of oil each year. During winter 2000, the avoided costs to all households weatherized totaled nearly $1 billion.

Surveys and Statistics

A study conducted in 2002 by PA Government Services, Inc. reflects that 53% of participants that only received weatherization services reported increased control over the size of their energy bill versus 32% of the participants that only received energy assistance services. A long the same lines, 49% of weatherization participant experienced a decrease in the amount of times payments plans were negotiated versus the 29% of energy assistance recipients. And last but not least 71% of the weatherization participants reported they were able to reduce the amount of times they got disconnected versus the 24% of the energy assistance recipients. This shows that energy assistance alone is not enough to assist these households into self-sufficiency. The weatherization measures reduce average gas space heating by 31% annually. Weatherization measures reduces average cost by $300 per dwelling. The majority of participants, who reported receiving education from the weatherization program staff, said they now know more about how to save energy and control their utility bill. By gaining control, participants are being able to decrease their monthly bill and significantly reduce the number of times they have to set up payment plans or experience a disconnect. In addition, with a reduced bill these participants are having more money available for other necessities such as food and medicine than they did without prior to participating in the program. After receiving weatherization services participants have reported improvements in their quality of life and the quality of their health. They claim to experience a decreased number of colds, flues or other sickness as well as an increase in home-safety through decreased use of portable heaters, cooking stoves, and fireplaces. The average satisfaction rating on a 5- point scale was 4.8, with 1 being not at all satisfied and 5 being very satisfied.

La Casa De Esperanza

The La Casa Weatherization Program has been providing services for Waukesha, Jefferson and Milwaukee County for over 25 years. In 2005, La Casa was awarded a $5 million contract and began providing weatherization services in the City of Milwaukee. Our highly skilled weatherization specialists with years of experience using the latest technology, ensures the work is completed in a professional and timely manner.

Contact Us

To request an application or to find out if you qualify

• for Waukesha, Jefferson and Milwaukee County, send an email or call (262) 832-1540
• for the city of Milwaukee, send an email or call (262) 832-1535