Preparing for winter

It’s that time of year when people begin to head to the hardware store for caulking, insulation and other materials to prepare their homes for winter.

As homeowners prepare for winter, there are many simple and easy tasks that can be done to weatherize their house.

“All these things are simple things folks can do,”  John Howell, Sack Lumber customer service representative, said. “It doesn’t require any experience or knowledge to them.”

One simple task is to caulk or apply weather stripping around windows, doors or any holes on the inside and outside of the house to prevent air leakage, Howell said.

This also includes sealing around any utility cut-throughs for pipes, gaps around chimneys and recessed lights in insulated ceilings and unfinished spaces behind cupboards and closets.

Another weatherization tip is to add door seals and sweeps, Howell said. The door seal is applied to the door jam and seals up the gap to prevent air from getting in or out.

The door sweep, which is placed on the bottom of the door, does the same thing, he said.

For newer doors, those made of steel or fiberglass, a heavier duty weather stripping can replace the current weather stripping on the door to better prevent leaks, Howell said.

Another helpful task people can do is to add insulation where needed, especially the attic, Howell said. It’s easy to insulate unfinished attic floors with poured-in or blown insulation to prevent loss of energy from the house.

Proper insulation in walls, foundation and roof — anywhere there is a barrier between the home and the outside — allows homes to be more energy efficient.

However, Howell said it is also important to ventilate the attic so stagnant air is released from the house.

Local Beatrice hardware stores have seen an influx of customers purchasing caulking, weather stripping, insulation and other items to weatherize their homes, Howell and Mead Lumber General Manager Tom Bardsely said.

“We kind of prepare for that and have items, especially these three items, available,” he said.

The store’s insulating machines have also been booked on a regular bases by customers.

Home weatherization can be expensive and for those who are eligible, assistance is available.

Blue Valley Community Action, since 1977, has weatherized 4,636 homes in the 19 counties in Southeast Nebraska and North Central Kansas it serves thanks to grant money received from the Department of Energy and the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program., Kelly Davis, BVCA Weatherization Manager, said.

This year, the DOE provided $174,368 grant and the LIHEAP provided a $136,217 grant.

Through this program, those eligible are provided with assistance to have their homes weatherized, Davis said. This includes inspection of the furnace, weather-stripping, caulking, insulation and installation of storm windows and doors.

For those homes BVCA has weatherized, it has helped significantly in reducing the heating costs for residents, Davis said. In a survey, it showed that energy consumption dropped by about 30 percent.

“In today’s age with high energy costs, that’s not chump change, especially when you’re on a fixed income,” Davis said.

BVCA also assists people with payment of energy bills, Donna Leikam, Gage County BVCA family and community service coordinator, said. It also assist families in working with the energy supplier to help meet payment requirements.

LIHEAP also offers energy assistance, Kathie Osterman, Department of Health and Human Services communications director, said. This year, LIHEAP received $44 million in federal energy assistance funds to help low-income individuals and families.

Congress, anticipating increased demand, nearly doubled the federal allocation for LIHEAP funds nationally from $2.7 billion last year to $5.1 billion this year. Nebraska’s share is an increase of about 70 percent, compared to last year’s $26 million.

This money will go toward assisting eligible individuals and families to heat their homes in the winter and cool their homes in the summer.

To be eligible for LIHEAP assistance, individuals and families must have limited incomes and resources. The amount of the benefit is determined by income, household size, type of dwelling and fuel type. For the fiscal year, Nebraska households with income levels of 125 percent of the federal poverty level qualify for LIHEAP. For example, a two-person household can earn $17,505 and qualify for energy assistance.

The type of fuel a household uses also helps determine the benefit amount, Osterman said. For example, the minimum payment for a house fueled by gas and electricity is $290; fuel oil, $483; wood, $395; and propane, $504.

The income limits rise with each additional family member and are spelled out in detail on the DHHS Web site, www.dhhs.ne.gov, search for “energy assistance.”

Those interested can also go online to www.ACCESSNebraska.ne.gov to determine eligibility and apply for assistance.

“In difficult economic times, LIHEAP can really be a lifesaver for low-income Nebraskans trying to stay warm,” said Todd Landry, director of the Division of Children and Family Services for DHHS. “With LIHEAP, there’s help so families do not have to go without heat.”