Energy efficiency and weatherization lead to healthy, safe, and comfortable homes.

Improving energy efficiency is a critical tool for promoting energy affordability and reducing energy burdens. Energy efficiency improvements can provide families with deep, meaningful, and long-lasting bill savings by enabling households to use less energy to meet their needs. PULP advocates for expanded access to energy efficiency programs, enhanced program services, and improved cross-program coordination to better serve Pennsylvania’s low income families.

Energy Efficiency, Weatherization, and Conservation: What’s the Difference?

It’s important to distinguish between energy efficiency, weatherization, and conservation. These terms are often used together, but each describes a different tool for reducing household energy consumption.

  • Energy efficiency improvements involve making physical changes to the technology and appliances in your home, such as by upgrading appliances to energy efficient models that use less electricity to accomplish the same task.

  • Weatherization involves making changes to the structure of your home, such as by installing insulation or upgrading windows, so that heated or cooled air stays inside, and outside air stays out.

  • Conservation* involves making behavioral changes to the way you use energy at home, such as by air-drying clothes instead of using a dryer or changing the temperature setting on your thermostat.

    *Conservation should not be confused with deprivation. Choosing to conserve energy should make consumers feel empowered and in control of their energy use. Households should never feel forced to deprive themselves of safe, comfortable home temperatures under the guise of conservation.

Our Work to Improve Energy Efficiency, Weatherization, and Conservation Programming in Pennsylvania

  • Act 129 is a Pennsylvania statute that requires PA’s large electric utilities to provide Energy Efficiency and Conservation (EE&C) programs for all customers. The law requires the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission (PUC) to set energy savings targets for each electric utility. The purpose of the law is to reduce electricity consumption and demand across the Commonwealth.

    Electric utilities comply with Act 129 by designing and implementing EE&C Plans. Each EE&C Plan must contain programs for all customer classes and must include specific programs for low income consumers. Common program components include rebates and incentives for purchasing energy-efficient appliances, appliance recycling programs to retire inefficient appliances, and efficiency kits including items such as LED lightbulbs, faucet aerators, and smart power strips.

    The PUC implements Act 129 in “phases” typically lasting 5 years. We are currently in Phase IV (June 1, 2021 – May 31, 2026). The planning process for Phase V of the EE&C Program is underway.

    PULP’s Act 129 Advocacy

    PULP routinely advocates improved program offerings for low income consumers through the Act 129 EE&C program development process. PULP submitted extensive comments on the PUC’s Phase V Implementation Order.

    On behalf of its low income client group, CAUSE-PA, PULP also advocates specific improvements to each electric utility’s EE&C plan during the plan approval process. PULP represents clients in plan approval proceedings to advocate targeted program design improvements informed by client experience.

  • LIURP provides no-cost energy efficiency and weatherization improvements to low income households to help reduce the amount of energy used. Reducing energy usage through LIURP results in long-lasting energy bill savings month after month. To apply for LIURP, contact your electric or gas utility company and ask how to apply for LIURP.

    PULP’s LIURP Advocacy

    The Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission began the process of reviewing and revising its regulations governing LIURP in 2023. PULP submitted public comments during the regulatory review process urging critical improvements to the program that would expand its reach and enhance its effectiveness.

    PULP regularly advocates for improvements to the program design of individual utility companies’ LIURPs. PULP represents low income clients in utility base rate cases and Universal Service and Energy Conservation Plan (USECP) proceedings before the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission (PUC) to advocate for specific, targeted improvements to LIURPs informed by the experiences of clients and community partners.

  • WAP is a federal program that helps low income households make weatherization improvements to their homes. Its services reduce household energy usage and improve health, safety, and home comfort for families.

    In Pennsylvania, WAP is administered by county agencies. To apply for WAP, contact your county agency and ask how to apply for WAP.

    PULP’s WAP Advocacy

    Each year, the Pennsylvania Department of Community & Economic Development (DCED) releases its state plan for WAP after a short public comment period. PULP routinely provides public comments on the WAP state plan.