BOZEMAN, Mont. — Wednesday is National Weatherization Day and in Bozeman, the Montana Weatherization Training Center held an open house for community members to learn about the benefits.

“Weatherization really helps reduce people’s energy burden,” said Aaron Rugas, director of the Montana Weatherization Training Center.

He says the homes most in need of weatherization in Gallatin County are older ones that may not have been insulated well or at all, in addition to mobile homes, which he says are the types of properties that They can benefit more from air conditioning.

Rugas says reducing energy bills is especially important for low-income households who spend 20 to 30% of their income on energy.

“They tend to have a greater burden compared to their income,” Rugas said. “It’s really important to reduce that burden.”

The center works to train contractors working on low-income housing in collaboration with HRDC, which provides supplemental weatherization services to low-income households in Gallatin County.

HRDC Energy Efficiency Director Sonja Wheeler says the organization recently experienced an increase in calls related to those services.

“We’re getting more and more people calling us and asking what they would have to do to get on our weatherization list because they can’t pay their energy bills anymore,” Wheeler said. “Money is tight, especially in Gallatin County, and people, after weatherization, save money and then spend it on rent, food or any other necessities.”

To be eligible for HRDC weatherization assistance, individuals must qualify for the Low Income Energy Assistance Program. Once approved, contractors perform an energy audit of the property to determine which projects need to be completed.

Work may include projects such as insulating walls, attics, foundations and basements, replacing boilers and water heaters, and adding ventilation.

Wheeler says that after weatherization, people can save up to $500 per year on their energy bill.