Program Helps Oklahomans Lower Their Utility Bills and Increase Energy Efficiency in Their Homes Many times when visiting with WAP clients, they tell me about the difference that the weatherization has made in their lives. I have been told that their homes are more comfortable and they feel more secure. Many share that they would never have been able to afford the work that was done by WAP.
Johnny Field, Weatherization Training Director, OKACAA The Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP) helps lower-income households reduce their utility bills and increase energy efficiency in their homes. The program is administered by the Oklahoma Department of Commerce with funding from the Department of Energy. The program gives priority to the elderly, disabled and families with children. Implemented through Oklahoma Community Action Agencies, the program provides energy audits and weatherization solutions to approximately 200 homes per year. Johnny Field, Weatherization Training Director for the Oklahoma Association of Community Action Agencies (OKACAA), retires this month. OKACAA receives WAP funding from Commerce to provide training and technical assistance to the OKACAA who provide weatherization services to Oklahoma families. Johnny has played a critical role in lending his expertise to ensure that the WAP program is administered and implemented according to the Department of Energy’s (DOE) rules and regulations. Before coming to work for OKACAA, Johnny worked in the construction industry and building of new homes. New home construction ties closely with weatherization of existing homes. When the opportunity to work in the training department was offered to Johnny, he
saw a chance to work closely with the agency employees to provide training that would improve the quality of work. DOE now requires that all weatherized homes be inspected by a certified Quality Control Inspector (QCI). Johnny was one of the first people in Oklahoma to QCI, and has helped train many other QCIs in the state. To become a certified QCI, a person must take a 100-question written exam and also take a field test that demonstrates their expertise in conducting the required diagnostics testing. Only about 50% of the people testing in the United States successfully complete these exams. The QCI requirement is not the only DOE requirement that has changed over the years. When Johnny started there was only one test that was being conducted on homes and now there are 13 test procedures that are required for each home during the initial energy audit. The time spent at each home increased from around two hours to six hours per house. Johnny says the extra time is valuable because the impact WAP has on families in Oklahoma is vital. “Many times when visiting with WAP clients, they tell me about the difference that the weatherization has made in their lives. I have been told that their homes are more comfortable and they
feel more secure. Many share that they would never have been able to afford the work that was done by WAP.” Johnny has enjoyed helping families, both by improving the conditions of their homes and by training a workforce of construction crews in testing and installing the energy saving measures correctly. Program employees are highly trained and receive on-going instruction to further develop their skills. Oklahoma has its own Weatherization Training Facility at the OKACAA which received accreditation from the Interstate Renewable Energy Council, a nationally recognized accreditation of clean energy programs. Over the next 10 years Johnny expects more changes to WAP requirements. “Weatherization is becoming a highly skilled profession which requires increased specialized training. This training is making it hard to find qualified people and I would expect that finding qualified people will become more difficult in the future,” said Johnny. “Change is coming. Change always happens – life would not be fun if it didn’t. When change happens, work with it and keep going.” For more, information visit okcommerce.gov/weatherization or call 405-815-5374.