Weatherization Assistance

Harlem CDC's Weatherization Assistance Program provides services to make older buildings in Harlem more energy-efficient and comfortable for residents, whether they are renters or apartment owners. It also provides grants and technical assistance to retrofit residential buildings.

The Weatherization Director and his program staff evaluate residential buildings to determine which energy-saving measures are appropriate to achieving the objectives of increased energy efficiency and reduced operating costs.

The Weatherization Program places emphasis on health and safety issues affecting the elderly, families with children and persons with disabilities. The scope of services recommended for a building may include energy conservation measures such as heating system upgrades or replacement, roof repairs, replacement and/or insulation, window repair or replacement, refrigerator replacement, and smoke and carbon monoxide detectors.

Energy Tips

Seal up the largest air leaks in your house. The trouble-spots that whistle on windy days or feel drafty are usually not windows and doors, but utility cut-throughs for pipes ("plumbing penetrations"), recessed lights in insulated ceilings, and unfinished spaces behind cupboards and closets.

Small, nearly invisible cracks and holes can waste as much energy as an open window or door, without you ever knowing it. Sometimes you can identify the worst leaks yourself. For a more thorough investigation you can hire an energy auditor such as Harlem CDC’s Weatherization Assistance Program to check your home using specialized equipment”. Replace aging, inefficient appliances. Even if the appliance has a few useful years left, replacing it with a top-efficiency model is generally a good investment.

Survey your incandescent light bulbs for opportunities to replace them with compact fluorescent bulbs. These new lamps can save three-quarters of the electricity used by incandescents. The best targets are 60-100W bulbs that are left on for several hours a day. Since compact fluorescents are slightly bigger than incandescents, be sure to measure the clearance in your fixtures to make sure they will accommodate fluorescents.

Cover and wrap food in your refrigerator. Uncovered food and liquids release moisture and drive up electricity costs. Decide what you want from the refrigerator before opening the door, then close the door quickly afterwards.

Ceiling fans make people feel about four degrees cooler than actual temperature.

Install a programmable thermostat, and program it to turn down the heating or cooling when you are not home and when you are sleeping.

Wash laundry in cold water instead of hot. Use hot water only for very dirty loads. Wash and dry only full loads. Clean the lint filter after every load.

Use the smallest pans possible; it takes less energy to heat them. Use lids; they cook food more quickly by keeping the steam in the pan. Use glass pans in ovens; they heat faster than metal pans.