DCPSC offers free home weatherization to help DC Residents prepare for winter

For Immediate Release: November 5, 2020

Contact: Kellie Didigu, kdidigu@psc.dc.gov, 202-626-5124

DCPSC offers free home weatherization to help DC Residents prepare for winter

(WASHINGTON, D.C.) – The Public Service Commission of the District of Columbia (Commission) kicks off its annual Winter Ready DC campaign from November to March to encourage District residents to prepare their homes for winter to help avoid high utility bills. District residents can receive a free weatherization kit and learn about resources and assistance programs to help manage their utility bills. To receive a kit, you must be a District resident and sign-up at dcpsc.org/winterreadydc. Kits will be distributed on a first serve, first come basis.

“We want to support District residents during this difficult time,” stated Willie L. Phillips, Chairman of the Commission. “Our goal is to help District residents avoid higher winter heating bills by making their homes more energy efficient. We’re also encouraging consumers to take advantage of payment arrangements and assistance programs, especially those residents impacted by COVID-19.”

The free weatherization kits are designed to help seal air leaks in your home, which is one of the most cost-effective ways to improve energy efficiency and comfort in your home. The kits include:

1. Door/window weatherstripping,

2. Foam pipe insulation,

3. Foam switch and outlet gaskets, and

4. A window insulation shrink kit.

The Environmental Protection Agency estimates that homeowners can save an average of 15% on heating and cooling costs by air sealing their homes and adding insulation in attics, floors over crawl spaces and basements.

Throughout the campaign, the Commission will provide residents simple steps on how to weatherize a home, as well as partner with community groups to sign-up residents for kits. Learn more at dcpsc.org/winterreadydc.

The Public Service Commission of the District of Columbia is an independent agency established by Congress in 1913 to regulate electric, natural gas, and telecommunications companies in the District of Columbia.

Stay informed

With the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, tens of thousands of District residents have fallen behind on their utility bills — there’s a good chance this will only get worse as the public health emergency continues and we move into colder months. Consumers should continue to pay their bills during this time, but if that's not possible, they should reach out to the DCPSC for help negotiating payment arrangements and/or additional assistance. Stay informed about COVID-19 and the District’s response efforts:

• Public Service Commission of the District of Columbia coronavirus updates

• District of Columbia coronavirus response

The first step to saving energy is staying informed. It is important to be aware of resources, weather conditions and emergency alerts to stay safe.

• AlertDC is the official communications system for the District that allows you to pick the type of emergency alerts, notifications, and updates you receive directly from D.C. public safety officials. View current alerts.

• Cold Emergency Alerts occur when the National Weather Service forecasts weather that presents a danger to residents, especially those who are outdoors and experiencing homelessness.

• DC HSEMA’s Winter Weather Map provides critical information during and after a winter storm, such as winter watches, warnings and advisories, a snowplow tracker, calls for services and power outages.

• Pepco’s list of current outages allows customers to report an outage, check your outage status and view Pepco’s outage map.

• The DCPSC’s Consumer Bill of Rights defines the relationship and responsibilities of utility service providers and consumers.

• DC Council legislation prohibits natural gas and electric suppliers from turning off a customer’s heat in the winter when the temperature is below freezing. Note that utilities also cannot disconnect your service for non-payment during the COVID-19 public health emergency.

• The Standard of Care for Animals Amendment Act of 2017 “establishes under what extreme weather conditions that keeping animals outside would constitute cruelty to animals.”