Get help with energy efficiency

Bills, bills, bills.

They come in all shapes and sizes, yet there may be a way for many of Utah's low-to-moderate income families to reduce heating and cooling costs if they qualify for government assistance to weatherize their homes.

In Utah, eight local agencies can help provide weatherization assistance by installing more efficient furnaces, better insulation, air and duct sealing, and compact lighting ?— free of charge depending on the financial situation of the homeowners. The waiting list for these services has been as lengthy as two years in the past, but with new federal stimulus money being poured into the state, Mike Johnson, director of the state's weatherization program said he is expecting the program to boom.

"With the new economic stimulus moneys we will be running on steroids," Johnson said.

He is expecting the number of applications to grow by as much as 125 percent this year and is thrilled for what it means for families in need of assistance. For many that qualify it means they will be able to stay in their homes or at least have more money to dedicate towards groceries.

Vanessa Martinez, Salt Lake City, said that she has not taken any steps to improve the energy efficiency of her home, but she is aware of what steps she could take because of ads from utilities and comments from President Barack Obama.

"I've just never taken the time to do anything about it," Martinez said. "I mean, the bills get higher in the winter, sometimes three times as much, but I don't really think about making improvements."

The program provides a one-time no-cash grant that can typically save homeowners as much as one-third of their heating bill by updating a home's energy efficiency.

However, to qualify an energy assessment of the home must show that upgrades will pay for themselves through reductions in utility bills.

To find if you are eligible, visit housing.utah.gov/wap/apply.html or dial 211 to be connected to the program in your area that provides weatherization assistance.

Johnson said that the advantages to having an energy-efficient home are instant. He has known homes that qualify for the program to have shaved as much as 50 to 70 percent off of their monthly utility costs.

Families who do not qualify for weatherization, but are still struggling to pay their utility bills may contact Rocky Mountain Power and Questar Gas, the state's major utility providers. Both offer tips on their Web sites for improving energy consumption year-round and participate in programs that can help struggling families get assistance to pay their bills.