BOZEMAN, Mont. — Wednesday is National Weatherization Day, and in Bozeman, the Montana Weatherization Training Center held an open house for community members to learn about the benefits.
“Weatherization really helps reduce people’s energy burden,” said Aaron Rugas, director of the Montana Weatherization Training Center.
He says the homes most in need of weatherization in Gallatin County are older ones that may not have been insulated well or at all, in addition to mobile homes, which he says are the property types that can benefit the most from weatherization.
Rugas says reducing energy bills is especially important for low-income households who spend 20-30% of their income on energy.
“They tend to have a higher burden compared to their income,” said Rugas. “It’s really important to bring that burden down.”
The center works to train contractors who work on low-income housing in collaboration with the HRDC, which offers complimentary weatherization services to low-income households in Gallatin County.
HRDC energy efficiency director Sonja Wheeler says the organization recently experienced an uptick in calls regarding those services.
“We have more and more folks calling in and asking us what they would have to do to get on our weatherization list, because they can’t pay their energy bills anymore,” said Wheeler. “Money is tight, especially in Gallatin County, and folks after weatherization save money to then spend it on rent, on food or any other necessities.”
To be eligible for weatherization assistance from the HRDC, individuals must qualify for the low-income energy assistance program. Once approved, contractors perform an energy audit of the property to determine what projects need to complete.
Work may include projects like insulating walls, attics, foundations and basements, replacing furnaces and water heaters and adding ventilation.
Wheeler says after weatherization, people can save as much as $500 per year on their energy bill.