Home Weatherization
Most states weatherize only a tiny fraction of their residents’ homes each year.
Percent of housing units weatherized, 2021
Using federal government funding streams
Source: National Association for State Community Services Programs and U.S. Census Bureau. Notes: Includes housing units weatherized using funds from U.S. Department of Energy (Weatherization Assistance Program), U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program), and American Rescue Plan Act.
Home weatherization reduces greenhouse gas emissions as well as household energy expenditures through repairs, insulation, and replacement of mechanical systems (e.g. HVAC and water heaters) and building structures (e.g. doors, windows, roofs).1 In 2021, state and local governments received enough federal funding to weatherize only 63,601 homes, which amounts to a tiny fraction of a percent of the 142 million homes in the U.S. In 2021, only seven states weatherized more than 0.1% of their homes – Vermont leading at 0.3%.
While the federal government is about to dramatically expand the number of homes that are weatherized each year through Inflation Reduction Act funding, it falls short in that the funding is distributed only via tax credits for homeowners.[2] In addition, pre- and post- disaster funds should include weatherization and fortification of buildings. The “Strengthen Alabama Homes” program is an encouraging model that fortifies and weatherizes homes through grants rather than tax credits. It has made Alabama the nation’s leader in retrofitting homes to reduce severe weather damage (FEMA Disaster Declarations).[3] Importantly, the growing market for building retrofits and energy efficiency upgrades will stimulate increasing demand for workers in the construction trades.
Weatherization Assistance Program. (2023). State & Community Energy Programs. https://www.energy.gov/sites/default/files/2023-08/2023-WAP-Fact-Sheet.pdf
Mann, R., & Schuetz, J. (2022, October 10). The U.S. needs better, more accessible home weatherization programs. Brookings. https://www.brookings.edu/articles/the-u-s-needs-better-more-accessible-home-weatherization-programs/
Alabama leads nation in homes designated to reduce severe weather damage; more states center resiliency programs around FORTIFIED. (2023, May 1). Insurance Institute for Business & Home Safety. https://ibhs.org/ibhs-news-releases/ibhs-reaches-resilient-construction-milestone-with-50000-fortified-designations/
