Weatherization Day recognizes service programs

The Nevada Housing Division will observe Wednesday as National Weatherization Day with presentations to community agencies that assist with weatherization efforts.

The event calls attention to state programs that assist low-income households in reducing energy costs by increasing the energy efficiency of their homes, while ensuring health and safety.

Gov. Kenny Guinn and the division will present four service providers -- HELP of Southern Nevada, Community Services Agency of Washoe County, Rural Nevada Development Corp. and Neighborhood Services -- with proclamations acknowledging their efforts in the Weatherization Assistance Program.

"The weatherization program is an example of how the state government, federal government and local nonprofit agencies can work together to help our less privileged citizens to meet their basic needs," Guinn said. "One outstanding aspect of this program is that the assistance provided permanently reduces energy use and thus keeps on giving to its recipients year after year."

Low-income households typically spend 14 percent of their total annual income on energy, compared with 3.5 percent for all other households. The weatherization services offered typically include installing insulation, duct sealing, and mitigating heat loss through windows, doors and other infiltration points.

Clients are also educated on basic energy-saving practices. The Housing Division's Weatherization Assistance Program favors services to the elderly, people with disabilities, and families with children.

Since the state's program was established in 1977, about 17,000 units have been weatherized. For fiscal year 2002, 364 units were weatherized. Of these units, 52 percent were weatherized for the elderly, 57 percent for persons with disabilities, and 22 percent for families with children younger than 6 years of age.

Charles L. Horsey, division administrator, said the event serves as a reminder of federal and state programs that "address the daily energy concerns of those low-income households that oftentimes find themselves struggling to keep their utilities on."

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