It’s not too late for Adams and Arapahoe county residents to take advantage of a program that can make their households more energy-efficient to cut down on heating bills this winter. Free year-round energy audits and household weatherization services are available to low-income residents of Adams and Arapahoe counties through the Arapahoe County Weatherization Division and the Governor’s Energy Office.Weatherization services include a free energy audit and improvements such as sealing major air leaks, adding insulation to attics, walls and crawl spaces, performing health and safety tests on furnaces and water heaters, making necessary repairs to furnaces and water heaters and installing high-efficiency compact fluorescent light bulbs.
Adams County resident Rita Hernandez highly recommends that qualified households take advantage of the weatherization program after realizing the benefits it provided her family. Rita received new GreenFiber insulation (made of recycled newspaper) in her attic and walls, furnace repairs and a new refrigerator.
“The people who came to my home were so helpful, respectful and communicative,” said Hernandez. “This is such a great resource and I’m so grateful to everyone who helped me and my children. They did such a good job and now my public service bills are the lowest they’ve ever been.”
Families whose homes have been weatherized report up to a 30 percent reduction in energy use, as well as a significant improvement in the comfort of their home during changing seasons. The program can serve single-family homes, mobile homes and multi-family units up to a four-plex. You may rent or own your residence. Eligible households must meet annual income guidelines ($21,660 annual gross for a one-person household, plus $7,480 for each additional household member). Qualification for free weatherization services is automatic if you receive benefits from any of the following programs: Colorado Works (TANF), Aid to the Needy Disabled, Old Age Pension, Supplemental Security Income or LEAP.
Funding for weatherization services is provided by the Colorado Governor’s Energy Office and the U.S. Department of Energy Denver Regional Office. To learn more or to apply for weatherization services, contact the Arapahoe County Weatherization Division at 303.636.1982 or visit www.co.arapahoe.co.us.
