At the Metropolitan Development Council (MDC), we empower clients and strengthen communities. Through our Weatherization Program, this means, at times, suiting up and going into crawl spaces and attics to ensure our clients are well protected. MDC’s Weatherization team works year-round to ensure that homes stay cool in the summer and warm in the winter. Through their certified knowledge, they help our clients reduce energy bills while improving home safety.
Hands-On Home Assessment in Tacoma
Our team recently suited up for a hands-on inspection of a local Tacoma home, going into places most of us never delve into. The team checked the crawl space under the house, climbed into a tight attic, and investigated the furnace and water heater closet to ensure the home and appliances were energy efficient, properly ventilated, and prepared for all types of weather conditions.
A Guest Inspector Joins the Team
Joining the team for this visit was our very own Development Director, Timm Dowling, who stepped in as “guest inspector.” Fully geared up and ready to assist under the house, Timm was able to learn exactly what the Weatherization team, Garret and Tameem, do on a weekly basis. While down there, they were checking for insulation quality, gaps, any air leaks, and overall ventilation function. They even checked to ensure that pipes were properly sealed to avoid air leaks and insulated to avoid temperature loss.
Timm Dowling, Director of Development for MDC says,
“While I thoroughly enjoyed leaving my desk and getting some experience learning from our team, it really opened my eyes to the importance of this service to those in need.” He adds, “Housing is so much more than just a roof over your head, and I’m so proud of MDC’s Weatherization team. They provide compassionate and knowledgeable assistance for renters and homeowners.”
Attic Inspection Reveals Good News
After a thorough inspection under the house, the team climbed into the homeowner’s attic, looking for any potential issues that could affect air quality or heat retention. While up there, they explored the usual issues: missing or inadequate insulation, gaps that weren’t sealed properly, proper ventilation, as well as any possible concerns to notify the homeowner about. Fortunately, for this particular home, there were no additional issues noted.
A Broken Furnace and a Big Relief
Next on the list was to inspect the main floor of the home. Unfortunately, while inspecting the furnace and water heater closet, they found one major issue — the furnace was completely non- functional. However, thanks to MDC’s Weatherization grants, MDC will be replacing the entire unit with a new high- efficiency furnace at no cost to the client. This upgrade will ensure that her home will stay warm through the colder months and positively affect her energy bill due to the high-efficiency rating. Most importantly, with the unit fully covered, it adds no additional financial burden for her.
Through MDC’s grants, water heaters can also be replaced if they are found to be non-functioning or in need of replacement. MDC also offers the option for handrails and outdoor ramps for those with mobility issues.
Tameem Sarwary, Energy Auditor Technician for MDC says,
“The updates we provide to our clients will ensure the health and safety of their home by improving the air quality and fixing any hazards. It’s extremely fulfilling to feel the gratitude and see the reactions from our clients.”
Scientific Testing and Thermal Imaging
In addition to the inspection of the attic, the crawlspace, and the appliances, the team ran a host of additional, scientific and state-of-the-art testing. Tameem and Garret ran negative pressure testing to detect venting and any air leaks. They ran tests with the fans in the home to detect if there was proper ventilation and airflow in both bathrooms and the laundry room.
Through these tests, it was found that one bathroom fan, though it sounded like it was on. Was, non-functional and would also be replaced. Tameem also completed an updated diagram of the home and scope to calculate the exact measurements in order to provide proper replacement materials. This also included checking thermal imaging to gauge heating and cooling signatures within the walls to check for insulation efficacy.
Garret Harp, Weatherization: Lead Technician for MDC says,
“We perform multiple tests during the audit to ensure occupant safety, including Worst Case Testing, Blower Door Testing, and Combustion Safety Testing. This allows us to make sure that harmful contaminants and gases, such as carbon monoxide, aren’t being drawn into the living space and negatively impacting the health of the occupants.”
Garret is passionate about the support that MDC provides.He adds,
“This work is important because people shouldn’t have to worry about being safe and healthy in their own homes, but unfortunately many people aren’t aware of all the possible hazards they could be living with.”
A Powerful Story of Resilience
The most powerful part of the day, however, didn’t come from the inspections, but from the homeowner herself.
The client shared her journey with us all. She regaled us with her harrowing journey coming to America from Cambodia and the years she worked two jobs just to support her four children. She was very proud of her journey and work within the medical field, as she was able to give them a better life here. Eventually, she was able to purchase her home through Habitat for Humanity. Her home has become her pride and joy — a welcoming place for her children and grandchildren to gather, filled with love, memories, and evidence of her staunch resilience within every wall.
She was exceptionally thankful for MDC’s Weatherization Program, expressing her heartfelt gratitude not only for the repairs and pending improvements, but for the respect and dignity in the way the team treated her and her home. The team took extra care to ensure any mess created was completely cleaned up and that all evidence of any tests or walkthroughs were eliminated. She was very happy to know that MDC’s Weatherization Program would be free of charge and would help to lower future costs for this already retired homeowner.
“Not only is our goal to make the homes we weatherize more energy efficient, but also safer for the occupants to live in,” states Garret Harp.
At MDC, we are proud to support the community with services like these that go far beyond insulation and diagnostics. Working with local subcontractors and through grants, MDC is able to provide customized energy efficient solutions with a client-focused basis. This work is about empowering the residents, providing knowledge, comfort, and safety within their homes, as well as helping to make their cost of living more affordable in times of rising costs.
Learn More About Weatherization Services for Tacoma
Want to learn more about MDC’s Weatherization program?
Visit us as www.mdc-hope.org or contact us at 253-593-2336. You can also reach the Weatherization program directly via email at weatherization@mdc-hope.org.