All benefit when homes use less energy

There's nothing like opening a power bill in the winter cold or summer heat to inspire change.

To that end, Citizens for Affordable Homes Inc. offers a weatherization program to qualifying residents of Carson City and Lyon, Storey and Douglas counties.

Working independently and in conjunction with Sierra Pacific Power Co., two programs are offered to accommodate both low- and higher-income families.

"When energy demand is at its peak use, (Nevada) ends up buying it from other states, which makes costs rise. But we don't need all that energy all of the time," said Nick Tolotti, weatherization manager for CAHI.

"Ideally, we need to get away from the energy source we're using, but in the meantime, let's at least be responsible."

Larry Rackley, project manager of residential and commercial programs for Sierra Pacific, said the first question he asks homeowners is how much insulation is in their attic.

"Most people don't know the answer to that, or they forget to look," he said. "And it's one of the most fixable (problems)."

Tolotti said often people assume replacing their windows is the first priority of weatherization. This isn't always the case.

"Say you're in your 70s, and you're looking at the cost of replacing windows," he said. "The chance of recouping that investment in your lifetime through energy savings is unlikely and therefore may not be the best way to go."

Weatherization specialists can help make those kinds of determinations.

People can either contact CAHI for an application or are referred by the power company.

Nevada Housing Division gets the word out through direct mail to those already receiving energy assistance.

CAHI makes the information available through posting flyers in public venues such as laundermats or senior citizen centers and at public events.

Renters can also apply, but the homeowner's permission is needed.

CAHI partnered with Sierra Pacific to expand services about a year ago. Sierra Pacific's own program, which is geared to higher-income families, has been in place about five years.

"The programs are supported by two separate grants, with the lower-income program being part of the Nevada Housing Division," Tolotti explained. "They are very similar, with very minor differences."

CAHI completed weatherizing 45 homes for Sierra Pacific in 2006, and CAHI's own program, while budgeted for 73 homes, was able to squeeze in 78.

"So there are that many more homes running efficiently," Tolotti said. "(The previous) year we did more than 100 homes, which feels really great."

Subcontractors are brought in to do some of the work, but Tolotti does better than 50 percent of it himself.

"One of the biggest challenges of my position is the logistics," he said. "I now have a really great assistant in Margaret Donnelly, who deserves a lot of the credit for how smoothly (the weatherization program) runs. She handles a lot of the paperwork and is also learning to do what I do, so she can double check things or be another (person in the field), if needed."

Every day at work is a new adventure for Tolotti, who came from a staging background.

"There are a lot of things I love about this occupation, but most probably is the appreciation I receive from our clients and knowing what we're doing really helps them," he said. "I was told once I was born to do this job."