Weatherization
Community Action's Weatherization Department makes homes more energy efficient. In fact, CAVC has been Ventura County's leader of "Green Collar" jobs long before the term was mainstream. CAVC does not charge a fee to create a more energy efficient home which saves clients money that can be used for other vital necessities. The State of California, The Gas Company and the Edison Company fund these programs which are available to home owners as well as renters/tenants.
Community Action of Ventura County, Inc. holds a State of California Contractors License. We are a low-income home energy assistance provider (LIHEAP) funded by the state through grants from the Department of Community Services Department (CSD) in Sacramento. To hold this grant we must provide CSD with proof of liability insurance, workers compensation, contractor’s license bond and other necessary documents. We also have a contract with the utility companies to provide their customers with Weatherization services, re-lamping and refrigerators. They also require documentation the same as CSD. Southern California Gas and CSD have their own inspectors that will inspect the work we do to make sure we are doing it according to specifications and in compliance with the program.
What to expect:
Initial Home Visit
Following the documentation process, our outreach specialist will ask you to sign a Customer Agreement and Household Income Worksheet and will provide you with a copy of each document. Included on the Customer Agreement is the name, address and telephone number of our agency. The Outreach Specialist will also provide you with information on energy-efficiency and conservation practices, assess the needs of your home, make a list of recommendations for the installation crew and review the list with you. Please note that all qualification documentation and home assessments must be verified by our office prior to the commencement of services. In addition, the final decision for what measures can be installed in your home, if any, will be made by the installation crew.
Work Begins At Your Home
Within 4 to 6 weeks after the initial home visit, our installer will call you to schedule an appointment to weatherize your home. At the conclusion of this visit, you will receive a list of the weatherization measures installed in your home, which will be signed by you and our installer.
Green Weatherization measures are installed in order to reduce energy consumption in the home, to reduce energy bills, increase home comfort, and reduce the carbon footprint of each household. Safety measures may also be installed in order to increase the safety of families receiving weatherization services. Some of the measures (or services) and their annual savings that we install are as follows:
- Weather stripping for all exterior doors, install new thresholds, re-adjust doors for proper fit and in some cases replace doors and lock sets. These items alone could save 5%-25% on heating and cooling cost.
- Low flow showerheads and aerators can save up to 5% on water heating cost.
- Electrical outlet and switch gaskets can save up to 3% on heating and cooling cost.
- Insulation of attics after inspection by our installers. Ceiling insulation is often the single most cost effective measure that can be installed in the home. By installing insulation you could save up to 25% on your heating cost.
- Provide and install energy efficient light bulbs. These bulbs give you the same quality of light as incandescent bulbs while using up to 75% less energy.
- Fix or replace broken windows and glass upon inspection. This reduces the cost of heating a home in the winter and cooling a home in the summer. Replacing broken glass in the home also improves both comfort and safety in that home.
- Inspect, test and repair or replace broken or hazardous furnaces, stoves and water heaters upon inspection by our installers after being deemed hazardous by The Gas Company
- Provide and install carbon monoxide detectors. This measure protects families against carbon monoxide buildup in the home.
Work Inspection
Within approximately 6 to 8 weeks after the work has been completed, you may receive a call from The Gas Company to arrange a Quality Assurance Inspection of the weatherized services.
Contact Us
Our offices are open Monday thru Friday from 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM. Our office phone numbers for Weatherization are (805) 436-4041 or (805) 436-4035