ARRA helps to weatherize homes

BOSTON – Gov. Deval L. Patrick’s administration last week announced that 10,000 homes have been weatherized through the American Recovery & Reinvestment Act of 2009’s Weatherization Assistance Program. Approximately 10,000 more homes also will be weatherized.
The state’s Recovery Act Weatherization Assistance Program includes $125 million in funding over three years. According to a statement, the average energy savings per Recovery Act-weatherized home is 35 percent, or $700 per home annually for fuel oil, according to the U.S. Department of Energy.
As of July 31, 2011, 129 private-sector weatherization contractors and 21 special purpose electrical and heating contractors are currently working in Massachusetts’ Recovery Act Weatherization Assistance Program. Nearly 3,000 individuals have received a Recovery Act-funded paycheck in the weatherization program so far. &#8226