Weatherization Services: More Than Comfort, Safety and Money Savings

Posted on 02. Sep, 2010 by linda in Testimonials

“It would have taken me years to do what they’ve done. I wish everybody could do it.” – Shirley, Denver resident

For the past five years, Shirley has been taking steps to make her 1953 home more energy efficient – installing upgrades one time per year as she could afford it. From bigger expense items like insulating the attic and crawlspace, to simpler measures such as keeping the window blinds down in summer, she felt she was doing her part. But she couldn’t afford to do it all; sealing the windows and installing high-efficiency appliances were simply out of the question.

Shirley heard about Veterans Green Jobs’ free weatherization services through a Denver television news program, and then read about them in the newspaper. She knew immediately that she should take advantage of the services – predicting they would save her money and make her more healthy and safe.

“I’m not able to work full time or get a good paying job due to a traumatic brain injury. I have had to ask for help in paying my high heating and cooling bills,” she says.

Shirley’s winter heating bills have often exceeded $500 per month, and because she keeps the air conditioning on all the time throughout the summer due to her poor health, her bills are high year round. Xcel Energy’s budget billing program helps with the payments, but she is not getting any other financial assistance.

In May 2010, Veterans Green Jobs determined that in order to improve the energy efficiency and safety of her home, Shirley should re-insulate the crawlspace, put weather stripping on the exterior doors and garage, fill leaky gaps in the floors, and install a high-efficiency refrigerator. As for the windows, the auditor ascertained that these were in good shape – they didn’t require the costly sealing job a private company told her she would need.

“Veterans Green Jobs auditors made decisions about things I know nothing about – What kind of refrigerator would I need? What kind of insulation should I buy? They made all the tough choices and helped me live more efficiently,” she says.

For Shirley, increasing physical comfort and saving money are huge benefits of weatherizing her home. However, she has concluded that the ability to conserve energy is about more than improving her personal situation. “I try really hard to be the kind of person that conserves. Now I get to participate in that. It makes me feel good I’m not wasting energy,” she states proudly. “It helps me – but it also helps the planet.”

How does Shirley feel now, just two months after receiving her weatherization services? “It feels wonderful that they did it all for free. I would not have been able to do it – it would have taken me years to do what they’ve done. I wish everybody could do it.”