Winterization Saves Money

Winter is fast approaching in the Copper Country and state officials are encouraging Michigan residents to weatherize their homes now to save on heating costs later. The Department of Human Services says the average low-income family in Michigan saves $250 to $450 per year in heating, cooling and electric costs by weatherizing. In 2013, nearly 2,400 single-family homes in Michigan were weatherized using U.S. Department of Energy money and 511 were weatherized using federal Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program dollars. Michigan’s Weatherization Assistance Program provides free home energy conservation services to homeowners and renters whose household income is at or below 200 percent of the federal poverty level. That means a family of four with an annual income of $47,700 or less qualifies. Typical services include wall and foundation insulation, attic insulation and ventilation and air leakage reduction.Services are administered by local community action agencies and nonprofit organizations.