With thermostats going up as colder weather starts moving in, now is the right time for residents to weatherize their homes.

The Home Weatherization Assistance Program (HWAP) through Great Lakes Community Action Partnership (GLCAP) offers free weatherization services that reduce energy consumption and help residents save on energy costs. Funded through the U.S. Department of Energy, HWAP provides exterior wall insulation, attic and crawlspace insulation, energy-efficient water heaters and furnaces, and other upgrades that keep the cold out and reduce heat loss.

“Weatherization helps conserve home energy in all seasons, but winter is a time when residents consider ways in which they can save on utility costs through weatherizing their homes,” GLCAP Housing & Energy Director Terry Jacobs said. 

According to the Department of Energy, the average home saves $372 per year in energy costs through weatherization. 

GLCAP’s HWAP service is available at no cost for eligible residents of Erie, Huron, Lorain, Ottawa, Sandusky, Seneca, and Wood counties. Households must be at or below 200% federal poverty guidelines (e.g. $62,400/household of 4).

For more information or to start the application process, call 1-800-775-9767, or visit www.glcap.org/weatherization.