Title: Energy and money saving potential: Energy efficiency in low-income housing in St. Lawrence County, NY
St. Lawrence County is one of the most impoverished counties
in the State of New York and also experiences more heating-degree days than
most of the state. Simultaneously,
federal and state funded programs are consolidating and energy prices are
rising and increasing the stress on low-income residents. During the summer of 2014 I worked as an
intern at the St. Lawrence County Planning Office to conduct an analysis on
energy efficiency programs run at the federal and state levels for low-income
eligible households. Currently, one of
the most effective programs is the Weatherization Assistance Program (also
known as WAP) sees an average energy reduction of 34% per household, or roughly
a 4.08 year return on investment. This
analysis can also be a tool to encourage weatherization and energy efficiency
upgrading in households that are not eligible for state or federal assistance
because the return on investment in an economy with volatile energy prices is
very attractive. For a copy of the
report please contact the St. Lawrence County Planning Office.
