Grants available for weatherizing homes

MONTGOMERY — Alabama has awarded grants totaling $494,875 to assist low-income and elderly Alabama residents with weatherizing their homes to lower energy costs.

The grants support Alabama’s Weatherization Assistance Program which provides funds to improve the energy efficiency and safety of qualifying homes. Priority for assistance is given to people with disabilities, the elderly and low-income households with children.

An energy audit is conducted of each home that qualifies for weatherization assistance to determine the most cost-efficient measures. Common improvements include installing extra insulation in the attic, walls and floor; sealing air leaks around doors and windows; repairs or tune-ups for air conditioning and heating units, and replacing incandescent light bulbs with high-efficiency bulbs.

The grants went to 13 community agencies across the state that manage the program at the local level and receive applications from individuals who wish to be considered for assistance.

The Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs is administering the grants from funds made available by the U.S. Department of Energy.

The following are agencies that serve west central Alabama and their phone numbers for those interested in the grants:

• $52,006 to Mobile Community Action Inc. (Choctaw, Mobile and Washington) 251-457-5700.
• $31,518 to Community Action Agency of South Alabama (Baldwin, Clarke, Conecuh, Escambia, Marengo, Monroe and Wilcox) 251-626-2646.
• $34,731 to Community Service Programs of West Alabama Inc. (Bibb, Fayette, Greene, Hale, Lamar, Pickens, Sumter and Tuscaloosa) 205-752-5429.