By james art 
U.S. Rep. Marcy Kaptur of the Great Lakes
U.S. Rep. Marcy Kaptur, D-Toledo, spoke about efforts to improve the Great Lakes.
By Molly Corfman, Port Clinton News Herald
Congresswoman Marcy Kaptur, D-Toledo, visited a Fremont home that received federal weatherization funding Wednesday, promoting National Weatherization Day and the importance of energy conservation.
“Right now, our country is almost energy independent, but we haven’t reached home plate yet. One of the many, many ways we can secure our borders is by helping families secure their homes,” Kaptur said. “People live in homes, private homes, apartment buildings, and here we try to save energy through conservation. There are two sides to the energy equation. One is energy production and the other is conservation. So this is part of our conservation efforts to try to think about how to reinvent America.
Home Humidification is led by the Great Lakes Community Action Partnership. In 2023, GLCAP listed 174 homes in Erie, Huron, Lorain, Ottawa, Sandusky, Seneca and Wood counties. Since 2018, it has blown away almost 700 homes in the region. Kaptur made this funding possible through his role as ranking member of the House Subcommittee on Energy and Water Development.
Kaptur said the recent Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act doubled support for air conditioning.
GLCAP demonstrated its Home Weatherization Assistance Program during an event on Oct. 28 at a Fremont residence that received HWAP services through GLCAP.
Governor Mike DeWine also released a proclamation recognizing the day and making October Ohio Weather Month. The certificate and notice were presented by Ryan Kessel, climate manager for the Ohio Department of Development.
After addressing the crowd of about 30 people, including homeowners Eric and Kimberly Hoffman and the GLCAP team that did the work, Kaptur was given a detailed walk-through showing off the many updates. These retrofits have been tested to show a 35% improvement in energy efficiency in the house.
Ruthann House, CEO of GLCAP, talks about how the program has changed in the 59 years since it started.
“Back in the day, the weather blew the insulation out of the house. Today it’s about updating all systems,” House said. “Weathering helps residents save money by reducing the amount of energy they need to use throughout the year.”
During the tour, staff discussed and demonstrated insulation methods, furnace inspection, infrared testing and other aspects of weathering.
GLCAP describes HWAP, a program funded by the U.S. Department of Energy since 1976, as a program designed to help reduce home energy use and help residents spend less on utilities. According to the US Department of Energy, the average home saves $372 a year in energy costs through weathering. The program is free for citizens with eligible incomes.
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