RB Program Good for Residents & Environment

CSED Radiant Barrier and Weatherization Fact Sheet

The CSED’s Radiant Barrier (RB) and Weatherization programs coordinated by the CSED, for Lower 9^th Ward property owners, has dramatically increased residents’ quality of life and in some cases resulted in utility savings of up to 40%.

Home Energy Assessments (HEA) are part of this program.  HEA’s inform homeowners of any health and safety issues in the home and provide written information on how to further increase energy efficiency. 

Priority for the RB program is given to seniors. 

CSED’s RB program includes community outreach efforts that inform residents of other CSED programs and projects, events happening in their neighborhood, and available community resources.

The CSED RB Program was initially established in 2007 in partnership with Sierra Club and Alliance for Affordable Energy.   LA Green Corps, Historic Green, AmeriCorps, and hundreds of volunteers have been contributing partners, as well as Lower 9^th Ward property owners, who make a donation toward cost of RB materials. The RB Program continues to be a major CSED service to the community with two certified Home Energy Raters on staff to perform home energy assessments and radiant barrier installations thus increasing our quality control.  

CSED’s Basic Weatherization Program was started in partnership with Alliance for Affordable Energy, and Sierra Club.  Contributing partners have included LA Green Corps, Historic Green, AmeriCorps, Global Green and Nurtured World.

CSED Radiant Barrier /Weatherization Program Numbers as of October 31, 2012:

• Educational, qualitative, Home Energy Assessments (HEA) have been performed on 214 homes.
• Radiant Barrier has been installed in 138 homes in the Lower 9^th Ward.  (Radiant Barrier saves approximately 10% annually on homeowners utility bills, increases comfort, and reduces CO2 emissions).
• Ducts have been sealed on 19 homes.  (Houses that receive duct sealing reduce energy consumption by 16% and save more than $80 a year).
• Weatherizations have been performed on 72 homes. 
• Currently, 7 homes have been assessed and are pending installation of Radiant Barrier.  41 applicants are pending home energy assessments.
• CSED Radiant Barrier/Weatherization Program has potential to serve over 2,000 homes in the Lower 9. (2010 Census verified 2,101 households in the Lower 9^th Ward )

Calculated savings for homes with R19 attic insulation and receive RB and Duct Sealing from the CSED.

*Radiant Barrier and Duct Sealing calculated annual savings for a 1,540-ft2 house with uninsulated ducts in the attic

Original Attic Modification	R19 Attic Insulation				Code-Level Attic     Insulation
Attic System Modification	Add RB, Improve Ducts, Add Insulation	Add RB, Improve Ducts	Add RB, and Insulation	Add RB	Add RB, Improve Ducts	Add RB
Miami	$460	$430	$180	$140	$410	$120
New Orleans	$730	$670	$240	$150	$610	$120
Atlanta	$670	$600	$200	$80	$540	$70
Baltimore	$1,210	$1,070	$320	$80	$950	$60
Chicago	$1,150	$1,020	$280	$60	$910	$40

*Based on Oak Ridge National Laboratories (ORNL).  ORNL is a multiprogram science and technology laboratory managed for the U.S. Department of Energy.