The cold and oftentimes severe New York State winters has led to weatherization becoming perhaps the state’s highest energy conservation priority.

Earlier this year, the NYS Division of Housing and Community Renewal announced that its federally funded Weatherization program will dramatically exceed its goals by making the homes of more than 15,000 low-income New Yorkers safer and more energy efficient.

This is an increase of 15% over the agency's original goal for the 2009-10 program year of 12,950 units. While eligibility for participation is limited to low-income families, it sets a precedent by which middle- and higher-income households are more likely to take a strong interest in this form of energy loss prevention.

As such, weatherization will be a follow-up service provided by You Save Green as well as a training module in its education & training curricula. Energy-efficiency measures include air sealing (e.g., weatherstripping and caulking), wall and ceiling insulation, heating system improvement or replacement, efficiency improvements in lighting, hot water tank and pipe insulation, and refrigerator replacement.

With respect to competition, the Building Performance Contractors Association of New York State (BPCA/NYS), is a not-for-profit statewide trade association of more than 200 building performance contractors, home energy raters, building diagnosticians, energy auditors, engineers, architects and consultants. BPCA/NYS provides training and technical assistance in the promotion of high performance building standards that addresses health and safety, building durability, energy-efficiency, and comfort issues through applied building science.

Another initiative, the New York State Weatherization Assistance Program, is the largest residential energy conservation program in the country. The program receives funding from the U.S. Departments of Energy, and Health and Human Services. In 2007-08 approximately $55 million was allocated to 64 community-based organizations that provide weatherization services (such as community action agencies and redevelopment authorities). Additionally under the Weatherization Contractor Procurement Program of the NYS Weatherization Directors Association, 60 private contractors throughout the state of listed.