Weatherization program seeking applicants

FARMINGTON — Tri-County Weatherization is looking for qualified residents in Weber, Davis and Morgan counties to have their homes inspected for energy efficiency.

Davis County commissioners recently approved the hiring of three more employees to the weatherization program, thanks to a pair of grants from the Utah Department of Community and Culture and the U.S Department of Energy.

The employees will effectively form a new crew that can visit eligible homes in the three counties and perform a variety of tasks to help homeowners save money on heating expenses.

Because heating costs drop in the spring and summer, fewer applications are made, according to the Davis County Health Department.

People living in their own homes, as well as rental properties with landlord approval, are eligible for assistance and are encouraged to apply, but applications are approved based on income qualifications.

Once an applicant's name comes to the top of the list, an energy auditor is sent to the home to determine what work needs to be done. Typical measures include furnace and water heater tune-up, repair or replacement, window replacements, door repair or replacement, insulation, compact fluorescent lighting replacement, refrigerator replacement, air sealing or weather stripping.

These measures can be done at no cost to the property owner.

The program, which is funded through the grants, Questar Gas and Rocky Mountain Power, has the goal of reducing energy consumption by 30 percent or more.

Currently, about 100 homes are on Tri-County's waiting list, but the new crew is expected to help make short work of that.

Tri-County is open from 6:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Thursday.

For more information, residents in Davis, Weber or Morgan counties can call 877-882-4799.

— Joseph M. Dougherty