The DOE reports that low-income families spend an average of 14 percent of their income on energy, compared with 3.5 percent for the average American. Weatherization reduces an average home’s energy costs by $224 a year.  The program gives priority to low-income households with elderly members, people with disabilities and children.  

The Congressional appropriation for the Weatherization Assistance Program is $223.5 million in FY 2003, which is expected to cover approximately 93,750 homes nationally.  The program performs energy audits to identify the most cost-effective measures for each home, which typically include adding insulation, reducing air infiltration, servicing the heating and cooling systems and providing health and safety diagnostic services.  For every dollar spent, weatherization returns $1.30 in energy savings over the life of the weatherized home.  Other benefits include increased housing affordability, increased property values, job creation, lower owner and renter turnover and reduced fire risks.