WINOOSKI — Winter is just around the corner, and heating fuel prices remain at historic highs, according to Button Up Vermont, the campaign every autumn to raise awareness around weatherizing homes.
Button Up encourages homeowners to weatherize their homes so they'll be warm and comfortable in the cold months ahead. And increased weatherization incentives and financing options make preparing homes more affordable than ever.
The program has begun this month and seeks to help Vermonters get the tools, rebates, and resources they need.
"Buttoning up a home helps Vermonters save money, use less energy, and stay warm this winter," Gov. Phil Scott said in a news release. "It can also help lower heating bills at a time when fuel prices remain high. These offers can help more Vermonters live in more comfortable and affordable homes. It truly is a win-win."
There are some telltale signs that a home is losing heat.
"Drafts, snow melting unevenly on your roof, and icicles are all signs heat is escaping from your home and wasting energy," said Robyn King, home weatherization program manager for Efficiency Vermont. "Insulating and air-sealing your home can solve these problems and avoid mold. Weatherizing your home now will keep you warm this winter, save money on heating bills, and create a healthier space."
Comprehensive weatherization can button up any home ahead of winter. Extra financing is available for flood-affected residents to weatherize as they rebuild from this summer's devastating floods. That's on top of offers to help Vermonters rebuild homes that were hit in the floods.
Here's how to button up ahead of winter:
• Attend a Button Up event to learn more about stopping heat loss and buttoning up a home.
• Schedule a free Virtual Home Energy Visit with an Efficiency Vermont energy expert.
• Complete DIY projects to stop drafts-and get $100 back.
• Find a qualified contractor through Efficiency Vermont's Efficiency Excellence Network to help complete a comprehensive weatherization project to insulate and air seal the home.
Increased incentives are available from Efficiency Vermont. Customers can recover up to 75 percent of a project's cost, up to $4,000, and those who qualify as low- and moderate-income can recoup 75 percent of costs up to $9,500. Low- to no-interest financing is available for projects up to $20,000. On-bill financing through participating utility providers can also spread the cost of weatherizing over time.
Flood-damaged homes weatherized in the past are eligible to re-apply. That's provided a state weatherization agency weatherized the home in the past 15 years. Many programs are prioritizing flood-impacted residents ahead of winter. Local weatherization agencies will have more information about programs and wait times in specific areas.
Button Up Vermont is supported by a partnership of energy services providers and clean energy champions, including Efficiency Vermont, the nation's first Energy Efficiency Utility, which has helped Vermont avoid more than 12 million metric tons of greenhouse gas emissions. For more information, contact Efficiency Vermont at 888-921-5990 or visit efficiencyvermont.com.
This Town and Village item was submitted to The Commons.