Saturday, October 29, 2005
The MYCAP program also provides tips on energy conservation.
By ELISE McKEOWN SKOLNICK
VINDICATOR CORRESPONDENT
AUSTINTOWN -- A two-man crew blew insulation into the attic space at William Simpson's home with the goal of improving energy efficiency.
Simpson, a retired bricklayer, received the service Friday as part of the Mahoning-Youngstown Community Action Partnership's Weatherization Assistance Program.
Simpson applied for the assistance four months ago, after owning the three-bedroom, two-bath Cape Cod home at 31 Lexington Place for nine years.
He took early retirement because of illness, and found that he and his wife were struggling to make ends meet.
"For nine years, this house has been cold," Simpson said. "We're just hoping this is going to help hold the heat in here and reduce our bills."
That's the goal of the program, said John Janecko, quality control supervisor for MYCAP Home Energy Services.
Services provided
Services offered by the MYCAP program include attic, wall and basement insulation, air leakage reduction and heating system repair or replacement. Health and safety inspections also are conducted, and recipients receive education on how to conserve energy.
Eligibility for the program is based on 150 percent of the current poverty guidelines as established by the federal government.
For example, a family of four with an annual household income up to $29,025 is eligible.
"Priority is given to the elderly, persons with disabilities and households with children," said Vesna Vukasinovich, home energy services director for MYCAP. "Our customers are in desperate times," she added. "They're making some difficult choices, whether to heat or eat. Those are not choices we want our residents to have to make."
This year's budget allows for the weatherization of 233 homes in Mahoning County through this program, Janecko said. Four, two-man crews will do the work.
Money for the program is allocated through the state and the U.S. Department of Energy. The cost of weatherizing each home is about $2,400, Janecko said. The average family will save about $275 a year in energy-related costs, he added.
Since the start of the program in 1976, 11,000 homes in the county have been weatherized, MYCAP statistics show.