Weatherization Plus -- Next Generation
What is Weatherization Plus
Weatherization Plus describes the evolution of the Weatherization Assistance Program from its traditional focus on heating and cooling energy conservation to an expanded focus on whole-house energy usage and whole-community efforts. The whole-house approach incorporates advanced technologies and addresses the comprehensive energy usage in low-income homes, as well as related health and safety improvements. The whole-community approach enables Weatherization providers to serve as a resource for community-based efforts to conserve energy, boost economic activity, and improve the environment.
Weatherization Plus Tools
As part of the Weatherization Plus effort to plan the continued evolution of the Weatherization Program, a subcommittee was formed to increase the consistency of quality weatherization services delivered to low-income homes across the country.
To this end, the Weatherization Plus subcommittee and the Weatherization Trainers Consortium have published a set of core competencies designed to increase awareness and raise expectations in the Program.
These competencies were compiled from the course offerings of several weatherization training centers and from the technical program standards of several states.
WEATHERIZATION PLUS -- THE NEXT GENERATION
With all successful ventures, there must be continual evolution. The Weatherization Program, for almost three decades, has demonstrated its inherent ability to transform and evolve to meet the continual changing needs of the nation's poor. Challenged by today's housing stock, the Weatherization Program continues to seek out technological advancements and ingenious approaches to address the issues facing the Program. However, while a great deal of emphasis is placed on the activities underway today; the Program prepares to meet the challenges of tomorrow.
Next Generation -- Team Result
In collaboration with the partners throughout the network, the Program will develop clear, concise strategies for the next five years that are consistent with the Program Mission and Vision. These strategies will ensure the continued evolution of the National Program through the implementation of Weatherization Plus while ensuring the program meets production goals and captures data points that assist in articulating and justifying the Program results.
Why was Weatherization Plus developed?
Weatherization services are delivered by an established network of local Weatherization providers. Through diverse partnerships with other federal, state, community, and private entities, many Weatherization agencies have demonstrated the capability to deliver expanded services in low-income homes. Weatherization Plus has been developed to foster this capability within the full network of providers and to magnify the benefits produced through weatherization.
What is the goal of Weatherization Plus?
The goal of Weatherization Plus is to achieve significantly greater energy cost savings for more low-income households and to increase the Program's contribution to the economic and environmental health and sustainability of the nation's communities.
What are the strategies for achieving the Weatherization Plus goal?
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Increase the network's flexibility and access, through legislative/regulatory program improvements, exchange of information on successes and new opportunities, and interagency partnerships.
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Advance the network's technological capabilities, through an integrated strategy of training and technical assistance.
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Expand resources available to the network, to support systematic incorporation of the whole-house approach and delivery of whole-community services.