The document summarizes the SWIFT (Streamlined Weatherization Improvements for Tomorrow) Program, which aims to accelerate low-income weatherization innovations. The SWIFT Program reduces financing burdens through leveraging volunteer labor, discounted materials, and cost-effective weatherization measures like passive ventilation. It also teaches homeowners to properly use tools like whole house fans and energy monitors to reduce energy consumption and costs in a sustainable manner. The goal is to weatherize 800 low-income North Carolina homes by October 2012 while creating local jobs and healthier, more stable communities.

1. Solutions for Sustainable Communities:2011 Learning Conference on State & Local Housing Policy SWIFT Low-income Weatherization:Reducing the Financing Burden September 26, 2011 Washington DC Prof Thomas Gentry AIA Architecture Prof Robert Cox PhD Electrical & Computer Engineering

2. Weatherization History “The Weatherization Assistance Program [WAP] was created under Title IV of the Energy Conservation and Production Act of 1976. During a period of staggering increases in energy prices following the 1973 oil crisis, the program was designed to save imported oil and cut heating bills for low-income households, including senior citizens living on fixed incomes and Social Security, who were especially hard hit by rising energy bills.” Department of Energy Source: US Department of Energy, http://www1.eere.energy.gov/wip/wap_history.html

3. Weatherization History “The Weatherization Innovation Pilot Program [WIPP] aims to accelerate innovations in whole-house weatherization for low-income families. A new program in 2010, these projects include new and nontraditional partners and weatherization service providers, leverage significant non-federal financial resources in addition to federal funds, and aim to improve the effectiveness of low-income weatherization through the use of new materials, technologies, behavior-change models, and processes.” Department of Energy Source: US Department of Energy, http://www1.eere.energy.gov/wip/weatherization_innovation.html

4. SWIFT Program The SWIFT (Streamlined Weatherization Improvements for Tomorrow) Program under development by the University of North Carolina Charlotte is one of 16 Weatherization Innovation Pilot Programs. UNC Charlotte

5. SWIFT Program The weatherization portion is financed primarily by a forgivable loan program; but, SWIFT is structured to allow implementation with other commonly used funding sources. Duke Energy Home Energy Loan Pool (HELP) is administered by the North Carolina Housing Finance Agency (NCHFA). UNC Charlotte

6. SWIFT Program The weatherization portion is financed primarily by a forgivable loan program; but, SWIFT is structured to allow implementation with other commonly used funding sources. The SWIFT Program reduces the financing burden of low-income weatherization by: Reducing administrative costs; Leveraging volunteer labor and discount pricing on materials; and Using more cost effective measures to reduce energy consumption. UNC Charlotte

7. 1. Reducing Administrative Costs A significant portion of the administrative costs is for overseeing the work of the weatherization contractor to assure the work is done properly and to track materials. To reduce the cost of oversight: Provide a trained crew chief and a comprehensive set of construction documents - drawings and specifications; and, De-incentivize using too much material and material theft. Pay a profitable mobilization-demobilization fee and limit material and equipment reimbursements to bare costs. Base all work on verifiable unit pricing. UNC Charlotte

8. 2. Leveraged Labor Habitat for Humanity is the primary source of leveraged resources – volunteer labor. Habitat for Humanity Habitat for Humanity Cabarrus County Eastern Connecticut State University student participants in 2010 Youth United

9. 2. Leveraged Materials Lowe’s Home Improvement Corporation is providing equipment and government pricing on all materials. Lowe’s Home Improvement Lowe’s Corporate Headquarters Mooresville, NC

10. 3. Cost Effective Measures Weatherization

14. Reducing Energy Consumption TED (The Energy Detective) device provides real time energy monitoring. SWIFT uses the device in a more robust manner. Performance modeling compares the expected performance in NEAT (National Energy Audit Tool) against the real performance. SIRs (Savings to Investment Ratios) are adjusted in NEAT to refine the prioritization of measures. Energy

17. Commissioning is an ongoing process. AirScape 1.0 WHF

19. To promote sustainable communities the program:Targets communities with housing stock that is viable for the next generation; Selects houses in community clusters to improve the community as a whole; Provides greater economic stability by reducing the energy burden of low-income households; and, Creates locally supported jobs that will continue beyond the WIPP period. North Carolina

21. Thank You