This is a brief overview of weatherization, its importance, and some helpful tips.
Weatherization (or weatherproofing) is protecting your home from the elements which helps cut energy usage and bills.
Weatherization (or weatherproofing) is protecting your home from the elements which helps cut energy usage and bills.
Why is weatherizing important?:
With the cold weather quickly approaching, it will soon be time to crank up the heat. Fluctuating rates and random price surges can make using heat become expensive, especially with many people still working from home, we are using our utilities more than ever. By sealing spaces that would allow heat to escape and cold air in, would help diminish the amount of energy you would actually use. This not only helps with bills, but also in sustainability terms. Using less natural gas reduces individual carbon-dioxide emissions. The extraction of natural gas mostly uses fracking which is extremely harmful to the environment and the people around the sites. Using as little as possible should be a current goal, but also, by using less now, it will help with the future transitions to renewables.
Tips for weatherizing:
Weatherization Organizations:
Home Weatherization Assistance Program
CEDA's Home Weatherization Assistance Program provides weatherization services for eligible homeowners. Weatherization services may include caulking, air-sealing, insulating, and heating system repair and replacement.
Call CEDA at 800-571-CEDA (2332)
Or visit cedaorg.net.
Roof and Porch Repair Program
The Roof and Porch Repair Program is a City of Chicago program that helps homeowners make improvements to their homes. Interested parties must register in a lottery for a chance to apply for a grant.
Call the city’s Planning, Development and Housing department at 312-744-3653
Or visit chicago.gov.
Emergency Heating Repair ProgramThe Emergency Heating Repair Program is a City of Chicago program that provides grants to Chicago homeowners who face heating emergencies. Households earning 80 percent or less of the area median income are eligible to participate in the program.
Call the city’s Planning, Development and Housing department 312-744-3653
Or visit chicago.gov.
Tips on How to Weatherize Your Home:
Additional Coalition Resource Share:
Citizens Utility Board helps alleviate energy problems for Illinois residences and fights for cleaner sources of energy.
Due to extreme weather and market problems earlier in 2021, utilities in Illinois for most of the year have been charging high natural gas prices—even double or triple 2020 prices. If you have additional questions, please don’t hesitate to contact CUB at 1-800-669-5556 or file an online complaint. Please stay safe and warm!
Utility Programs
CUB Resources
Save money on your bills and keep your home warm: Practice efficiency!
Blog Post: https://www.citizensutilityboard.org/blog/2021/10/20/save-money-on-your-bills-and-keep-your-home-warm-practice-efficiency/?highlight=weatherization
To winterize:
Also included on the gas efficiency section of CUB’s website is information about heat pumps. Heat pump systems are another method for heating and cooling your home in a more energy-efficient and cost-effective manner, moving heat from cool spaces to warm spaces and vice versa.
Heat pumps use electricity rather than burning gas on-site at your home or business. As the electric grid changes and transitions toward more renewable sources and away from coal and gas, heat pumps are a cleaner and more cost-effective alternative.
Smart thermostats
Smart thermostats can help you make the most of your efficiency programs and upgrades. By continuously monitoring temperature and humidity levels in your home, smart thermostats can turn your air conditioning or furnace on or off to save energy without changing the temperature noticeably.
ComEd and Ameren customers can enjoy a rebate of $100 on smart thermostats.
Elevate Energy Income-Eligible Multifamily Savings: Energy efficiency improvements are an easy way to reduce your operating costs and enhance the value of your Chicago multifamily property!
Sustainability Resources from the Chicago Association of REALTORS®
When it's cold outside, the cost of an inefficient home can make a dent in your budget. Below are resources to help you use less energy and save a bit of money.
With the cold weather quickly approaching, it will soon be time to crank up the heat. Fluctuating rates and random price surges can make using heat become expensive, especially with many people still working from home, we are using our utilities more than ever. By sealing spaces that would allow heat to escape and cold air in, would help diminish the amount of energy you would actually use. This not only helps with bills, but also in sustainability terms. Using less natural gas reduces individual carbon-dioxide emissions. The extraction of natural gas mostly uses fracking which is extremely harmful to the environment and the people around the sites. Using as little as possible should be a current goal, but also, by using less now, it will help with the future transitions to renewables.
Tips for weatherizing:
- Seal all cracks and crevices with caulk or foam
- For doors or windows, if you can stick your fingernail into a gap, it needs a weather strip (this will keep drafts out, but also moisture which will also prevent mold growth)
- Seal switches and outlets, a surprisingly high amount air flow comes from the sockets
- Door sweeps are great ways for heat to stay inside rooms
- If accessible, there are also water tank blanket to reduce heat loss
- Click here for different weatherization window options
Weatherization Organizations:
Home Weatherization Assistance Program
CEDA's Home Weatherization Assistance Program provides weatherization services for eligible homeowners. Weatherization services may include caulking, air-sealing, insulating, and heating system repair and replacement.
Call CEDA at 800-571-CEDA (2332)
Or visit cedaorg.net.
Roof and Porch Repair Program
The Roof and Porch Repair Program is a City of Chicago program that helps homeowners make improvements to their homes. Interested parties must register in a lottery for a chance to apply for a grant.
Call the city’s Planning, Development and Housing department at 312-744-3653
Or visit chicago.gov.
Emergency Heating Repair ProgramThe Emergency Heating Repair Program is a City of Chicago program that provides grants to Chicago homeowners who face heating emergencies. Households earning 80 percent or less of the area median income are eligible to participate in the program.
Call the city’s Planning, Development and Housing department 312-744-3653
Or visit chicago.gov.
Tips on How to Weatherize Your Home:
- Identify the sources of air leakage (ex: cracks in window panes, large gaps under doors, electrical outlets etc.)
- Electrical outlets SURPRISINGLY are the sources of 2-5% of infiltration from outside air. Sealing switches and outlets located on exterior walls will help prevent heat loss (the same devices used for “baby-proofing” outlets work!).
- Seal gaps or cracks with foam and caulk (1/16 in of a crack = leaving a window open 3 inches)
- Click here for more!
Additional Coalition Resource Share:
Citizens Utility Board helps alleviate energy problems for Illinois residences and fights for cleaner sources of energy.
Due to extreme weather and market problems earlier in 2021, utilities in Illinois for most of the year have been charging high natural gas prices—even double or triple 2020 prices. If you have additional questions, please don’t hesitate to contact CUB at 1-800-669-5556 or file an online complaint. Please stay safe and warm!
Utility Programs
- Peoples Gas Efficiency Programs
- Peoples customers who are owners of single-family homes, two-flats and individually-metered condos and townhome may qualify for rebates on energy-saving improvements to their homes. The program webpage flushes out the details, but if you’re making improvements to your home, such as adding insulation or replacing your hot water heater or furnace, you could save hundreds of dollars through the rebate program.
- There are programs for all kinds of buildings (ex: homeowners, renters, etc. Renters just need permission from their landlord)
- Residential offers include- virtual or home assessment, then a range of free products (energy starred LED light bulbs, automatic thermostats, water reducing shower heads, etc.)
- They also offer discounts on smart devices like Nest products
- The home assessments can be in person or virtual
- They will provide savings tips specific for your home
- Products are installed in your home if you do have the person come out
- Products are installed by you if you do the virtual ones
- Home assessment report- annual savings estimations and recommendations
- referral program as well
- To get started: ComEd.com/Assessment or PeoplesGasRebates.com or call 844-367-5867
CUB Resources
- Making Sense of Your Gas Bill
- Gas and Electric Guide: A Handbook for Gas and Electric Customers in Illinois
- CUB’s Guide to Home Savings (View entire guide catalogue.)
- Year-Round Energy Savings Tips
- CUB’s free Virtual Utility Bill Consultation (This service is also available in Spanish.)
- Heat Pumps
- Smart Thermostats
- Illinois Home Weatherization Assistance Program
- Chicago Bungalow Association Energy Savers Program
Save money on your bills and keep your home warm: Practice efficiency!
Blog Post: https://www.citizensutilityboard.org/blog/2021/10/20/save-money-on-your-bills-and-keep-your-home-warm-practice-efficiency/?highlight=weatherization
To winterize:
- Cleaning, tuning or repairing heating and cooling systems.
- Installing duct and pipe insulation.
- Assessing fire hazards and installing appropriate alarm systems.
- Sealing drafts around windows and doors through the use of weather strips, and installing efficient lighting and appliances.
Also included on the gas efficiency section of CUB’s website is information about heat pumps. Heat pump systems are another method for heating and cooling your home in a more energy-efficient and cost-effective manner, moving heat from cool spaces to warm spaces and vice versa.
Heat pumps use electricity rather than burning gas on-site at your home or business. As the electric grid changes and transitions toward more renewable sources and away from coal and gas, heat pumps are a cleaner and more cost-effective alternative.
Smart thermostats
Smart thermostats can help you make the most of your efficiency programs and upgrades. By continuously monitoring temperature and humidity levels in your home, smart thermostats can turn your air conditioning or furnace on or off to save energy without changing the temperature noticeably.
ComEd and Ameren customers can enjoy a rebate of $100 on smart thermostats.
Elevate Energy Income-Eligible Multifamily Savings: Energy efficiency improvements are an easy way to reduce your operating costs and enhance the value of your Chicago multifamily property!
- The Income-Eligible Multifamily Savings program provides property owners with free products and incentives for energy efficiency improvements at their properties. Elevate administers the Income-Eligible Multifamily Savings program with ComEd and Peoples Gas.
- A free energy assessment is the first step to identify energy efficiency solutions that will save money and energy at your multifamily property. An energy advisor will help you choose what improvements you want to take advantage of, such as:
- Free weatherization products and services
- Free programmable or smart thermostats
Sustainability Resources from the Chicago Association of REALTORS®
When it's cold outside, the cost of an inefficient home can make a dent in your budget. Below are resources to help you use less energy and save a bit of money.
- SERVICE YOUR FURNACE Whether you have a boiler or furnace, make sure your heat source is serviced before the cold season and filters are changed regularly.
- DRAFTY DOORS You can install weather stripping and/or door sweeps to reduce drafts and heat loss.
- CAULK, SEAL AND INSULATE Make sure your home is free of any drafty areas by focusing on simple fixes, like caulking gaps in window frames, and then move to more involved projects like adding attic insulation. If you take on a bigger project, check what current rebates are available, as People’s Gas will often provide money to cover part of the cost. Also, keep in mind that 20 to 30% of heat loss can be avoided by proper air sealing and insulation.
- SMART THERMOSTATS Keeping your household thermostat at 68° while at home will save you money on your next bill. Installing a smart thermostat will help you keep your bill even lower, as a smart thermostat can determine when you’re out and lower the temperature, and bring it back up when you return.
- ODDS AND ENDS Run your ceiling fans in reverse, close your chimney damper, wrap hot water and radiator pipes, insulate or seal exposed ducts, close vents in unused rooms (unless there are water pipes) and make sure vents in occupied rooms are unblocked
- People’s Gas Weatherizing and Repair Programs
- CEDA's Home Weatherization Assistance Program provides weatherization services for eligible homeowners. Weatherization services may include caulking, air-sealing, insulating, and heating system repair and replacement. For more information call CEDA at 800-571-CEDA (2332) or visit cedaorg.net.
