News Release
October 7, 2004 -- The Alamo Area Council of Governments (AACOG) is accepting applications from residents of Atascosa, Bandera, Comal, Frio, Gillespie, Guadalupe, Karnes, Kendall, Kerr, Medina, and Wilson Counties who are interested in having their homes weatherized for the winter and summer months. The free weatherization services are part of a federally funded program called the AACOG Weatherization Assistance Program or AWAP. Applications are available by calling AACOG toll free at 1-800-749-2010.
Applicants must be income eligible. Residents whose annual income falls at or below the federally established income guideline may qualify to receive free weatherization services. Preference is given to the elderly (60 years and older) and the disabled. If you receive Supplemental Security Income (SSI) and/or Aid to Families with Dependent Children assistance, you are also eligible for the program.
The AWAP is designed to help low income people, particularly the elderly and handicapped, overcome the high cost of energy through certain energy conservation measures. These energy conservation measures help reduce people's utility bills. Energy conservation measures provided free of charge through AWAP include attic insulation, replacement or repair of windows and exterior doors, gas stoves, space heaters, water heaters, HVAC or air conditioning window units, weather-stripping, caulking and sealing of cracks and holes in the house's structure, and other incidental repairs to preserve and protect the weatherization materials installed.
The AWAP is funded by the U.S. Department of Energy. For every $1 invested in the program, $1.30 is created in energy-related savings or benefits. For example, weatherization saves an average of 30.8% in gas space heating. This comprises a total fuel consumption reduction of 21.9%. AWAP creates non-energy benefits as well, including increased property value, reduced incidence of fire, improved health and safety conditions, increased comfort for the occupants, and provides an extended lifetime of affordable housing.
Over 5 million homes have been weatherized since the inception of the program. The avoided energy costs to these households during the winter of 2000-2001 totaled approximately $1 billion in the United States.
For an application or more information, please call toll free at 1-800-749-2010.
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Contact: Tiffany Pickens
Community Relations Coordinator
Alamo Area Council of Governments
8700 Tesoro Drive, Suite 700
San Antonio, TX 78217
tpickens@aacog.com
Phone (210) 352-5204
Fax (210) 225-5937