UGA Cooperative Extension

Athens-Clarke County Extension Office:
Energy Education

Weatherization

Weatherization Assistance is a federally funded program, administered in the state by the Georgia Environmental Facilities Authority (GEFA). Funds are made available to authorized not-for-profitorganizations such as community action agencies to implement the energy improvements in homes.The Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP) has been around since the mid 1970’s and its mission is to reduce energy costs for low-income families, particularly for the elderly, people with disabilities, and children, while ensuring their health and safety.

Weatherization is available in all 159 Georgia counties.

On average, after a home has been weatherized, the homeowners could see a 20-25% reduction on their utility bills in the first year.  This also helps reduce the demand for energy fuel and helps reduce the home’s impact on the environment.

There is an application process through the local weatherization agency.  The agency must verify the income eligibility of the household (below 200% of current poverty level).  Also, a home inspection must be conducted before any work is done on the home. 

For Clarke County, the local agency administering the program is Action, Inc. in Athens and the phone number is (706) 546-8293

Throughout the state, agents and educators have been hired to teach homeowners about issues related to weatherization, most importantly, what to expect from the weatherization process and how to use any new items in their home properly such as programmable thermostats, carbon monoxide detectors, compact fluorescent bulbs and learn how to change filters in their heating and air conditioning systems.

For more information regarding weatherization, energy conservation or residential water conservation, Jackie Dallas. She can be contacted directly by e-mail at jdallas@fcs.uga.edu, by phone at (706) 613-3640, or by fax at (706) 613-3643, or you may use the Ask an Expert Web site here.