Keep York County Warm! A Guide to Volunteering

Transcription

1 Keep York County Warm! A Guide to Volunteering March 17, 2015

2 Welcome! Hello, and thanks again for contributing your time to the Keep York County Warm! weatherization program. We at Habitat for Humanity York County are glad to have you on board to aid us in fulfilling our mission of bringing together the community to help the vulnerable populations of York County cut their energy costs and stay warm this winter. This handbook contains important information about how to do a home assessment and how to weatherize a home, including checklists that will guide you through the process. Going forward, know that we are always open to answering your questions and clarifying any issues presented in this handbook and in our trainings. For HfHYC, volunteers have been an integral part of executing our programs effectively and ensuring their success. Thank you. Sincerely, The Keep York County Warm! team 1

3 What is Weatherization? The practice of protecting a building and its interior from the elements, particularly from sunlight, precipitation, and wind, and of modifying a building to reduce energy consumption and optimize energy efficiency. The Thermal Envelope: where warm air exits and cold air enters 2

4 How does Weatherization benefit our community? According to the Department of Energy, low-income people spend around 30 percent of their income on energy costs. Energy costs are also higher for low-income people, who often must live in older homes of poorer quality. Maine is no exception to these national statistics we have some of the oldest housing stock in the country and with our older population, we end up with a lot of residents in need. For people on low or fixed incomes, weatherization helps save money and cuts down dependency on the Low-Income Heating and Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP), as all of the homeowners we help qualify for heating assistance. Storm window inserts and other insulating factors can help a homeowner save as much as $400 a year in heating costs. KYCW also brings community members together, and brings attention to the issue of residents who often live in poor conditions or who are otherwise isolated from their communities. How do we do it? The first step is to assess a home, paying special attention to where cold air is coming in and warm air is going out. Taking careful notes and measurements let us know what materials and fixes are necessary. 3

5 Home Assessments What to expect on Assessment Day Assessment Day will take place on Saturday 9:00am +You will get breakfast! And t-shirts! +You will break up into teams of 2-3 volunteers under one team leader to assess 2-3 homes. Each group of homes is organized by geographical location. +You will receive tape measurers and folders with all of the forms and materials you need to assess a home: Homeowner Agreement (2 copies), Assessment Checklist, Inspection Worksheet, Window Measurement Sheet, Location and Phone # s of homes +We will review the forms with you and once again go over how to measure windows for storm window inserts +And you re off! The Walkthrough 1. Explain the Homeowner Agreement and have the homeowner sign two copies, one for the owner, one to be returned to Habitat. 2. Explain KYCW to the homeowner and your role as volunteers. 3. If appropriate, measure for storm panels, up to six per house. Window casing must be free of obstructions. Ask the homeowner which rooms they spend the most time in and measure those windows. 4. Inspect windows for proper operation, cracks, air leakage. 5. Determine the number of wall outlets and switches. 6. Inspect outside doors for operation, weatherstripping, threshold, and sweep. 7. Look for other sources of heat loss, wire and pipe penetrations, chimney flue, radiators covered or blocked, etc. 8. Inspect basement for wall penetration by wires, pipes, weather stripping between sill and foundation, other insulation needs. 9. Inspect bulkhead door for proper operation, weather tightness, weather stripping. 10. Inspect drier damper for proper operation, lint build-up. 11. Determine if the home may need STEP TWO work (see pg. 6 for more info). 12. Leave owner with a list of your findings and a list of actions they must do prior to your return: clearing access to windows, walls, removing obstructions from window casings, etc. Note taking We use your notes to order and organize materials so try to be as specific as possible when you fill out your assessment form and window measurement form. Designate one person to be the note taker preferably the one with the neatest handwriting! Be specific about location and measurements in the spaces provided (Example: Exterior door sweeps: 1, back door). If you really want to be savvy, take a photo of an area that might need special repairs. 4

6 Window Measurement Runout no more than 1/4 at four feet or top of casing. Measure width at top, bottom, center. Record shortest reading. Measure height of window, left, right, center. Record shortest reading. If window runout is greater than 1/4, storm panel may be flush mounted on window trim if the trim is smooth and clear of obstacles. Complete Order Sheet Window Number Window Location Runout in Inches - must be less than 1/4. Width minimum measurement. Height minimum measurement. 5

7 How much can we do? Budget For Spring 2015, we will be weatherizing 15 homes. We have a budget of up to $250 dollars for each home. This amount is enough to cover the materials for up to six storm window inserts, a kit of basic weatherization materials, and perhaps one or two special items. Homes with a $250 dollar budget are called Step One homes. Four homes will be chosen from the fall to receive extra assistance this spring. These homes will have a $750 dollar budget (with $100 contributed by the homeowner). These homes are called Step Two homes. We will also choose four homes this spring to receive extra assistance next fall. We DO NOT do plumbing, electrical, or roof work, or other large structural repairs. Step One vs. Step Two Step One work involves simple, affordable fixes that most people can install. All of the homes we will be weatherizing will be receiving Step One materials and fixes such as storm window inserts, gaskets and door sweeps. However, during your assessment, you may find that some of these homes might require much bigger fixes. They will need Step Two work. A Step Two home will require more skills, labor, tools, materials and planning for its repairs and improvements. The below items are suggestions for what to look for as you walk through the home: + Evidence of rot or moisture damage + Lack of insulation on the basement ceiling, walls or bandboard. Poorly installed insulation. Insulation in poor condition + Lack of insulation in the attic. Poorly installed insulation. Insulation in poor condition, chimney gaps (Note: Only peek into the attic if it is easily accessible) +Broken or barely functioning exhaust fans +Need for additional storm windows (more than six) +Holes and gaps of various sizes. This could range from a gigantic hole in one of the interior or exterior walls, to small gaps or areas where you can see light coming through along the foundation in the basement +Hollow doors in places meant for exterior doors +Damaged doors and door frames. +A mobile home, especially an older one, will have many obvious problem areas +A situation you observe or that the homeowner describes, that causes heat loss or inefficiency. Using your best judgment, decide if the home should have Step Two repairs and check the Step Two box on your assessment sheet. 6

8 Materials Habitat will provide the following materials for weatherization work: For Windows Caulk Caulking Cord Weatherstripping V-strip Foam tape Plastic Sheeting Storm Window Panels For Doors Door Sweeps Caulking Foam Weatherstripping For Weatherization in the Basement, Exterior Areas and other Areas Pipe Insulation Dryer vents Heavy duty plastic sheeting for basement windows Caulk/Spray Foam for holes Tools (Volunteers are also encouraged to bring their own) A drill Screwdrivers Box cutter Snipes (to cut metal door sweep to size) Hand saw Hair dryer Caulk gun Scissors Staple Gun Step ladder Tape measurer Special items As you assess a home, you may find that it needs a repair that requires tools and materials beyond what we have listed here. Keeping in mind the $250 budget, be as specific as possible about the extra materials you need (for example, include measurements, or a photo, or any other information that will help us purchase the right item). If what you need goes beyond our budget, try to imagine what the Band-Aid version would be. 7

9 How to Use Weatherization Materials Plugging Holes in the Interior Windows 8

10 Plastic Sheeting Options: Heat Shrink Plastic in 3 ft. Rolls with Doublesided tape Heavy-duty plastic sheeting (outdoor or basement use) Plastic- Roll on kits: Smaller Heat Shrink Plastic in Rolls with Double-sided tape Ty-zal Plastic: Uses a plastic spline system around the window that locks in plastic wrap until needing to be removed our replaced. Re-usable Custom-fit Storm Window Inserts: Weatherizing Doors 9

11 Self-stick plastic door sweep (works only on interior doors) V-Channel Plugging Holes in the Basement 10

12 Other Materials for Basement: Pipe Insulation (wrapped around hot water pipes in basement) Foam board (to fill large gaps) Plugging Holes in the Exterior Check Dryer ducts Plastic sheeting on outside windows Caulking exterior holes Materials for Outside: Spray Foam (expands to fill gaps) 11

13 2015 KYCW Weatherization Work Overview What will I be doing on weatherization day? Habitat for Humanity received applications from low-income and disabled homeowners for weatherization. You will be visiting these homes to weatherize! Tell me about the logistics! Here is some information about your day: 1. You will breakfast! 2. You will break up into teams for weatherizing. 3. Each team receives 2-3 homes to weatherize. 4. Each team will receive a box filled with weatherization materials based on assessment notes as well as any storm window inserts built for the home. 5. Each team will receive a packet with: a. directions to the homes b. a task list c. an assessment sheet about the home 6. Drive to your first home on the list and call the homeowner to say you are on your way! 7. Upon arriving, review the assessment notes and talk to the homeowner to determine what you will be doing for weatherization. Note: every home is different! You may only need to plastic a few windows or put stripping around a door or insulation around some pipes. 8. After completing the homes, return to Habitat for Humanity with extra supplies. 9. Thank you!! Timeframe For weatherization work, teams should spend no more than 2.5 hours at each house. If the homeowner is capable of doing any remaining work, leave behind the necessary materials. 12