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What is Weatherization?

August 14, 2023

Are you a resident of Maryland? Did you know you might qualify for no-cost weatherization services from the Community Action Council of Howard County? Income-eligible Maryland homeowners and renters can benefit from CAC’s weatherization assistance. But many are unsure of what weatherization is and how it can help them.

What Weatherization Is (and Is Not)

Weatherization is the process of improving a building to use and waste less energy. This can mean making changes to your home that keep unwanted outdoor temperatures and air pollutants from entering. It can also mean upgrading appliances and systems in your home that are old, not working properly, or aren’t energy inefficient.

At CAC, our weatherization services include:

  • Adding or replacing attic, wall, or floor insulation
  • Air sealing cracks and holes in your home
  • Repairing or replacing old or broken heating and cooling systems
  • Repairing or replacing hot water heaters
  • Installing new energy saving light bulbs
  • Smoke and CO detector installation

Weatherization services from CAC don’t cover every kind of home improvement, however. Services that are NOT available through our Maryland weatherization assistance programs include:

  • Window and door replacement
  • Roof replacement
  • Cosmetic or aesthetic home improvements
  • Oven or stove replacement and repair

CAC offers several different home weatherization programs to fit the needs of different Maryland households. These programs include different combinations of the home upgrades we list above. 

  1. Upgraded Attic, Wall, or Floor Insulation

    New insulation helps keep outdoor temperatures from entering your home. The average home saves an estimated 15% on heating and cooling bills by insulating and air sealing.*

  2. Sealing Air Leaks

    Weatherization closes up small holes and cracks that allow air to enter and exit your home. Left untreated, these leaks create energy waste and indoor drafts.

  3. Heating and Cooling System Upgrades

    If your heating or cooling system is old or broken, our weatherization services can help. We will tune-up and repair your equipment, or even replace it with a newer, more efficient model.

  4. Water Heater Upgrades

    Water heating is about 20% of your home’s energy use.* In some homes, this number is higher because the heater isn’t working properly or is out of date. We can help by repairing or replacing it!

  5. Energy-Saving LED Light Bulbs

    LED light bulbs use 75% less energy than older incandescent bulbs.* When we weatherize your home, we’ll look to replace any older bulbs with new ones that will save you money.

  6. Smoke and CO Detectors

    Weatherization isn’t just about saving energy; it’s also about creating a safer, healthier home. All homes that CAC weatherizes have new smoke and carbon monoxide detectors installed.

How to Get Started with CAC’s No-Cost Weatherization Services

If you’ve already visited our income eligibility page, you can start to apply for weatherization assistance online. The first step is to fill out our online intake form. The form is short and quick to fill out. After you submit, we’ll let you know if a full application is necessary.

Once you’ve been approved, the next step is to schedule an energy assessment and audit. This helps determine what work your home needs. Weatherization helps Maryland residents live in more comfortable homes while reducing their energy costs.

Have more questions about CAC’s no-cost weatherization assistance? Call us at (410) 313-6440 or email us here.

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