AG 1997 07 21 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Page 2 Weatherization / Housing and Home Improvement Program As a division of the Cabarrus County Dept. of Aging, the Weatherizafion / Housing Home Improvement Program consists of a coordinator and two full-time crew members. Each job is assessed by extremely high technical standards as required by the Division of Energy. We complete Blower Door tests prior to and immediately following the completion of each job to dete~nfine air infiltration in order to prescribe the most cost effective plan to insulate and weatherize the home. We use the Bacharack Computer Audit system to measure heating appliance efficiency and to test for air qu. ality and the build up of gas / fumes. Furthermore, we utilize the N.E.A.T. Computer Audit to detefJ,:ine the most cost effective use of our available resources. This equipment determines how to best'utilize our labor and materials on a specific job and allows us to set our priorities for each job. Our overall technical evaluations over the past twelve months project an average energy savings to cost ratio of 2.5 (250%). By utilizing local contributions we have been able to purchase materials to build ten wheelchair ramps and recycle two ramps that were previously built for clients that are now deceased and/or no longer are able to live at home. We have been able to purchase materials to make improvements on 11 homes that include repairing / replacing roofs, porches, steps and painting. We have been able to purchase and install safety bars and/or railing for clients of our local home health agencies and rehabilitation centers in order for the clients to be able to maintain the independence and continue to live in their homes. All of these projects were not only funded by conU-ibutions, but were also completed by utilizing volunteer labor. Several local church organizations and civic groups provided the labor for these projects. We have been able to develop an Air Conditioning for the Elderly (A.C.E.) Program with the City of Concord Community Development Dept. The City has received funding to purchase ten window air conditioners for frail older adults that have a medical condition that is complicated by extreme heat and live in a home without air conditioning. We also received $800 in contributions from local businesses, organizations and individuals in order to purchase, three additional air conditioners for this program. Volunteers from the local AARP,' Employment Security Commission and a Gerontology class from a local university provided the labor to install these units.