A Nationally Recognized Program with Certified Energy Professionals. Community Revitalization through Energy Efficiency and Critical Home Repair.
The Sustainability Institute’s Weatherization and Critical Home Repair Department provides no-cost services to homes that meet HUD’s FY 2024 income limits. We focus on providing sustainable, lasting upgrades through two initiatives:
1. The Sustainability Institute’s Energy Assistance Program, which is offered to Santee Cooper customers located in Berkeley, Georgetown, and Horry Counties (see below for more information and to apply); and
2. Charleston County Critical Home Repair Program, which delivers services to eligible households in Charleston County.
At the Sustainability Institute, our weatherization services adhere to industry-leading standards to support homeowners in improving energy efficiency, lowering utility costs, and enhancing home comfort and safety. Our holistic approach to weatherization is designed to save homeowners anywhere from 10% to over 30% on their energy bills, often translating into hundreds of dollars in savings annually.
We also offer free energy workshops that provide knowledge and tools to empower neighborhoods/ communities to make long-lasting improvements to their homes while enhancing energy efficiency, home comfort, health and safety, and sustainability.
The Sustainability Institute is nationally recognized for our energy efficiency work and has extensive experience designing and managing energy upgrade programs for such partners as the U.S. Department of Energy, Southeast Energy Efficiency Alliance, Southeast Sustainability Directors Network, Dominion Energy, Santee Cooper, Sustainable Cities Institute, Home Depot Foundation, South Carolina Energy Office and others. Through this work, we have engaged more than 10,000 families in energy conservation education, conducted thousands of energy audits, and weatherized more than 400 homes in our region.
At the Sustainability Institute, we are committed to fostering healthier, more resilient, and equitable communities through our weatherization and critical home repair programs. By ensuring safe and energy-efficient homes, we strengthen neighborhoods, support lasting affordability, and build a foundation for a sustainable future.
Before weatherization can begin on a home, an assessment and approval process must be performed.
A Certified Energy Auditor will visit your home to perform a comprehensive energy assessment, identifying areas of inefficiency such as:
Air leaks around doors, windows, and ducts
Missing or inadequate insulation
Inefficient lighting and appliances
HVAC system performance
During the visit, the auditor will immediately install Level 1 energy-saving upgrades, including:
LED lighting, low flow shower heads, and water heater insulation for improved efficiency
Weatherstripping, door sweeps, & Attic tents to reduce air leaks
Carbon monoxide alarms for safety for homes with gas appliances
Following the home assessment, you will receive a detailed energy audit report outlining:
Current energy consumption and efficiency levels
Recommended upgrades based on potential energy savings
A roadmap to cost-effective improvements for your home
This report will guide the next steps in your weatherization journey.
If your household meets income eligibility requirements, you can apply for Level 2 or Level 3 weatherization services, which may include:
Attic insulation
Advanced air sealing
Ductwork repairs
HVAC tune-ups or replacements
This step ensures that the most impactful upgrades are made to maximize energy efficiency and home comfort.
Homes that are approved for advanced weatherization services are income-qualified and identified as high-priority due to having a high energy burden—meaning they face disproportionately high energy costs compared to income.
Once approved, our team coordinates the installation of weatherization upgrades at no cost to you! Our Construction Manager oversees all work to ensure:
Quality installation by certified professionals
Safety and comfort for the homeowner
Long-term energy savings
THOUSANDS of low-income families face high energy costs that they cannot afford due to the inefficiencies of their home.
Many homes in our Lowcountry communities suffer from insufficient insulation in their attics and crawlspaces, outdated mechanical systems and appliances, inefficient HVAC duct systems, and general air leakage that results from age and disrepair. Some homeowners we serve have no insulation at all, and many have inoperable HVAC window units that do not
sufficiently cool the home. These conditions can create critical safety concerns for families, especially when temperatures rise in the summer season.
Low-income families are often economically stifled by high, monthly energy bills and spend a disproportionate amount of their income on their monthly energy costs. The repair and “upgrading” of these homes have become a national cause and urgent priority for our local communities.
Ellen Smalls, Homeowner
“I knew I was cold but nobody else could feel it but me. Breezes were coming from the floors, the walls, the bathroom… everywhere in my house. My light bill was up there and I had to go get help from Human Services over and over…The amazing thing [was] that after I got this done, the first month my light bill went down to $134! It was like $300 a month [before]!”
