The Vermont Weatherization Program was started in 1976 in response to the nation's energy crisis. Funding for the early days of the program was provided for solely by the U.S. Department of Energy (USDOE). This changed in 1990 when the State of Vermont Legislature introduced and passed bill H.832, which established the Vermont Weatherization Trust Fund (WTF). The WTF provides state funding for weatherization through a one-half percent gross receipts tax on all non-transportation fuels sold in the state. The WTF stabilized the funding, infrastructure, and technical capacity of the program. It also allowed Vermont to raise the average cost per job for more comprehensive work.

Weatherization Capacity in Vermont

There are five service providers operating a total of 9 field offices statewide. A total of 21 energy auditors and coordinators directly supervise the work performed on clients’ homes by approximately 45 in house crew persons and a variety of subcontractors. While subcontractors are used primarily for heating system and electrical work, two sub-grantees use subcontractors as well as in house crews for envelope work.

The Weatherization Process

• Client applies and income is verified for eligibility and placed on waiting list.
   
• Energy Auditor gathers and reviews fuel consumption history.
   
• The energy auditor arrives and interviews the clients at their home to get an understanding of how they use their home, lifestyle patterns, energy/comfort problems.
   
• Health & safety checks are performed on all combustion appliances.
   
• The "thermal envelope" or shell of the home is assessed.
   
• A blower door test is performed to determine the air leakage rate of the building.
   
• An infrared scan is done to determine voids in wall insulation.
   
• A thorough inspection is done to determine attic insulation levels and to pinpoint major air leakage problems. Data collected onsite (building sq. ft., air leakage rate, insulation levels, etc.) along with estimated costs for the energy retrofits is run through a computerized energy audit tool to develop a detailed work scope which will save the maximum amount of energy for any given investment. (Typical work scopes involve some health & safety work, heating and distribution system efficiency improvements, air sealing and insulation work.)
   
• A highly trained crew is dispatched to the home.

Throughout the process the auditor and crew work to educate the client on how to best operate their home to help save energy.

Upon completion, a quality control inspection is performed by the local agency. The Office of Economic Opportunity Weatherization Technician inspects 10% of all completed jobs statewide to ensure workmanship of the highest quality.

Quality Control

Aggressive quality control procedures ensure the optimal performance of the program. Two state positions monitor new trends and innovations for incorporation into the program. The Program Coordinator routinely monitors local operators for proper administrative oversite while the Weatherization Technician inspects 10% of completed jobs to ensure quality workmanship. Ongoing training is an important part of optimizing energy savings for every dollar spent.