Weatherization upgrades reduce utility bills and make homes safer and more comfortable. New research provides detail on how many low-income households cannot participate in weatherization programs because of needed home repairs, like fixing leaky roofs. 

The federally funded Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP) helps income- eligible households reduce energy costs by improving the energy efficiency of their homes. Providing upgrades such as insulation and air sealing at no cost to eligible residents lowers utility bills—an average of $372 annually, according to previous research. 

But a new ACEEE survey and analysis show that nearly one in five homes audited for WAP is deferred because repairs are needed first. Of these, 40% go unaddressed and, thus, their residents continue to live in unhealthy homes with high energy bills. With additional weatherization-readiness funding, these homes could be repaired, leading to quality-of-life improvements, millions of dollars of financial savings, and major reductions in carbon emissions.

Read the report