Green Me Now

Despite its payback potential, many homeowners still skip the weatherization projects that could increase their comfort during temperature extremes and save them money in the long run. One reason may be that they don’t know where to begin.

Reports generated from home energy audits often have a “package” feel to them. You might want to do everything the auditor suggests, but are prohibited by cost. If you opt to take a piecemeal approach, which pieces do you pick?

Energy experts, both government and private, have done a poor job of distributing useful information on weatherization, charges a recent New York Times article. The U.S. Department of Energy should produce a “weatherization for dummies” fact sheet to guide consumers, says writer David Leonhardt.

His suggestion comes in response to a proposed sequel to the cash for clunkers stimulus program: cash for caulkers. Its focus would be a list of known-effective elements (programmable thermostats, air sealing, wrap the water heater, add insulation) coupled with financial incentives using stimulus funding and attractive financing options. The main point is to simplify the weatherization proposition.