Save energy in Georgia with weatherization programs

Over $125 million in federal government stimulus funds is being provided to Georgia so that the weatherization assistance program can be expanded. The money is being paid in phases. Georgia learned in June that it will receive $50 million in federal government stimulus funds to continue to weatherize the homes of low-income citizens, and the $50 million is probably just the down payment.

There are some conditions to the program. If Georgia satisfies the federal government rules for using the stimulus money, and if they continue to increase other energy saving programs that are required by the federal government, the another $60 million plus in government funds will be sent to the state. according to the U.S. Department of Energy which is distributing the aid.

When combined with $15 million which was already sent to the state, the total package of $125 million in stimulus money for Georgia’s weatherization assistance program will go a long way towards improving the energy efficiency and helping to reduce utility bills of up to 14, 000 homes in the state over the next three years or so. This goal is part of the Obama administration’s and federal government’s plan to reduce the nation’s energy consumption, lower utility bills costs, and to help reduce the nations dependence on foreign oil.

The weatherization program offers residents a free way to save on their utility bills. Contractors will install, for free, various upgrades and improvements including extra insulation, sealing air ducts and adding weather stripping to windows, new appliances, and much more. The program was created primarily to help reduce gas and utility bills for lower income families. There are some income limits that have been increased as well with the new stimulus,. Under the federal stimulus package, the household income threshold for free weatherization service will now be increased to twice the level of the federal poverty level, which is an increase as it was 125 percent of it. Now, a family of four must make less than $44,100 to qualify for aid, which is an increase of about $6,000 per year.

The additional federal funds will be used to increase the amount of improvements made to each home, but it will not increase the number of homes upgraded.