What We Do
WeatherizeDC is a program of The DC Project, a nonprofit that connects and empowers communities to secure a sustainable future shared by all. The program works with citizen leaders from across the city to ensure that the clean energy economy will direct economic opportunities to D.C. businesses and residents from communities of poverty and high unemployment.
Strong interest in home weatherization emerged from a six month organizing campaign launched in September 2009 in a handful of neighborhoods. This led to 20 D.C. homeowners investing approximately $80,000-$100,000 in energy efficiency-focused upgrades. Since then, WeatherizeDC has become one of the most successful clean energy initiatives in the country with 44 local jobs created.
WeatherizeDC is a partner of the DC Sustainable Energy Utility (SEU). Currently, we are engaged in promoting the Single Family Quick Start Program in eight city neighborhoods. Through the program, homeowners in targeted areas will have access to affordable first-step home energy improvements. It is a chance for community members to get a jump-start on making their homes more energy efficient. For homeowners who qualify, we encourage them to build on these initial improvements by moving forward with a complete weatherization that can lower energy bills by 15 to 25 percent.
WeatherizeDC's partnership with the SEU will continue to grow over the next several years. In the future, check back to find out about new programs that we hope to roll out together.
As a result of WeatherizeDC's success, The DC Project was selected to participate in the Clinton Global Initiative America conference in June 2011 on creating jobs and driving U.S. economic growth. There, President Bill Clinton spotlighted The DC Project's public commitment to grow its clean economic transformation work, both in D.C. and on a national scale, creating clean energy jobs and energy savings in communities throughout the U.S. With the Rockefeller Foundation's pledge of support for its commitment, The DC Project is exploring strategic partnerships with other leaders in the sustainable building field to unlock a job-rich clean energy economy.
For an update on our efforts to apply the power of citizen leadership to growing the clean energy economy, see The DC Project's 2011 Impact Report.
How We Do It
- Community Engagement: Working in 14 neighborhoods—including Glover Park, Capitol Hill, Takoma Park, Tenleytown, Palisades, and Shepherd Park—WeatherizeDC guides and supports community members in educating and motivating their friends and neighbors to invest in home energy improvements. The program builds partnerships and leadership opportunities through its work with schools, faith groups, energy co-ops, and environmental and social justice organizations.
- Quality Assurance: Homeowners can count on the fact that WeatherizeDC has vetted the businesses that perform the energy efficiency upgrade services. To ensure that weatherization is an easy, quick and pleasant experience, the program monitors the businesses’ performance. WeatherizeDC is committed to ensuring that homeowners receive the highest quality service.
- Local Economic Opportunity: In addition to delivering high-quality service, selected local home performance businesses are committed to guaranteeing that the work generated by WeatherizeDC is directed to local residents from disadvantaged neighborhoods. All workers receive certification-based training, a livable wage, health benefits and support for career mobility.
- Local Business Development: WeatherizeDC is committed to helping D.C.-based businesses prepare to lead in this industry. WeatherizeDC helps local home performance contractors who hire D.C. residents from communities of high unemployment equip these employees with ongoing training and a variety of supports.
You Can Have an Immediate Impact
Host a home energy meeting, become trained to lead volunteer home energy assessments, or share the benefits of weatherization with homeowners.
