There's a certain old question the Weather Man hears;
In the fall of the year it gets into his ears.
And whenever they ask him, when does winter begin?"
He will tell them naively, "When cold weather sets in."
-George Mindling, "An Untitled Poem on Winter"

Part-time poet and full-time weather bureau official George Mindling got it right: cold weather doesn't necessarily follow the schedule we want or expect. I was struck by that very observation just last night when cooler-than-average temperatures in my neck of the woods had me searching in the dark for extra blankets. While today brought a return to more seasonable temperatures, last night's unexpected chill should be a reminder should serve as a reminder to do those necessary weatherization projects—like repairing ducts or servicing furnaces—that will prepare your home for the upcoming change of season.

With the Department of Energy's Information Administration suggesting that the continued high gas prices might force the price of natural gas and heating oil up as temperatures fall, taking steps to ensure that your home is ready for colder weather can mean real savings on your gas and electric bill during the winter months.

Unfortunately for some low-income families, the costs associated with weatherization are out of reach even when these savings are taken into account. It is these families, however, for whom weatherization can have the most impact—not only by improving their home's energy efficiency, but also by helping to stave off sharp increases in utility bills due to home heat loss.

To make certain that low-income families get help to meet their weatherization needs, the federal government funds two programs that tackle the issue on two fronts: providing low-cost home weatherization updates to reduce energy usage in the long-term, and monetary assistance to pay utility bills in the short-term.

Founded in 1976, the Department of Energy's Weatherization Assistance Program has helped over 6.2 million families by giving them access to weatherization experts who carry out energy audits, service heating systems, install smoke and carbon monoxide detectors, seal ducts, check the safety of electrical systems, and perform other services that can result in immediate and sustainable energy savings.

Funded with federal dollars and administered through state agencies, the Weatherization Assistance Program doesn't perform expensive upgrades. However, by focusing on the most cost-effective weatherization techniques, the program is able to return $1.65 in energy-related benefits for every $1 invested—all at no cost to the families being served. In the process, the program helps to reduce the annual energy costs for participating families by an average of $358.

For those that need additional assistance, the Office of Community Service's Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program has additional funds to help meet a family's immediate energy needs, including money to help pay monthly utility bills or to keep a utility from being disconnected.

While weatherization programs are invaluable to the families they directly benefit, they also offer indirect benefits to the larger community. Addressing safety issues with major appliances means fewer emergency calls for utilities, resulting in reduced operating costs that can be passed along to all consumers. Local economies benefit from the Department of Energy's investment in the weatherization industry and the nearly 8,000 jobs that are created nationwide from that investment. And the environment is positively impacted through the reduction in fossil fuel usage that weatherization and energy efficiency provide.

If you or someone you know could benefit from the services provided by the Weatherization Assistance Program or the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program, don’t wait until winter. Contact your state weatherization contact or LIHEAP contact now for further information on the services they provide. Cold weather—and the higher energy costs associated with cooler temperatures—can set in before you know it.

Jen Carter is the Clearinghouse Operations Manager at the Washington State University Extension Energy Program (WSU EP). She oversees operations at the Message Center and answers inquiries to the EERE Information Center.