Below are listed three common actions that may be taken to contribute to achieving successful integration of energy efficiency programs and affordability programs.

1. Eliminate Energy Waste
   There are several common problems found in homes that contribute the inefficient use of energy. Energy inefficiencies exist in all buildings and range from poor physical conditions, lack of homeowner awareness, to the use of hazardous methods.
   
   Examples of problems that lead to the inefficient use of energy in homes include:
   
   
   • Poor physical condition. The physical condition of the units can contribute to waste of energy. Poor design and installation of heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) equipment commonly increases energy costs 10 to 30 percent in affordable housing. This wastes money and can endanger the health of families. Structural damage to the building can allow heat to escape, increasing the amount of energy needed to heat the building. Additional physical problems may include decayed electric wiring, leaky and inefficient plumbing and fixtures, roof defects, or old and poorly maintained heating systems.
     
     
   • Lack of homeowner awareness. Another common cause for waste of energy is the wasteful habits of occupants. These habits often lead to excessive energy use. Examples include thermostat settings, leaving windows and doors open, and poor housing maintenance (i.e. not changing the filter or tuning up the furnace).
     
     
   • Use of hazardous methods. Unsafe practices can also lead to energy inefficiencies. By using unventilated kerosene stoves, space heaters, or kitchen ovens as heaters to save on utility bills, residents are actually being more energy inefficient and driving up utility costs. Additionally, these methods may be unsafe, leading to fires, property damage, injury, and even death.
     
     
   • Backdrafting. Backdrafting is a health, safety, and comfort concern. To prevent it you must either build a house without a chimney, or balance all the ventilation systems to prevent indoor-outdoor pressure differentials. In short, houses need to inhale as easily as they exhale.
   
   Grantees seeking to assist low-income households can develop programs and coordinate rehabilitation and energy conservation work to reduce the high costs caused by inefficient use of energy.
   
   
2. Weatherization
   The most common way to improve energy efficiency in low-income housing continues to be Weatherization programs run by local weatherization agencies. By improving the energy efficiency of homes, a Weatherization Assistance Program reduces the burden of energy costs for low-income families, especially households with elderly residents, people with disabilities and children. These measures typically include adding insulation, reducing air infiltration, servicing heating and cooling systems, and providing health and safety diagnostic services. These programs have been very effective in providing low-income households with the benefits of energy efficiency and developing professional understanding of energy saving techniques. Weatherization programs however, may have limited resources for rehabilitation.
   
   
3. Rehabilitation Considerations
   Grantees can incorporate energy conservation into their rehabilitation plans. Grantees can use their HOME funds to induce coordination between their housing program and the local energy program.
   
   In general, the work performed to promote energy efficiency can be effectively integrated with housing rehabilitation work. All members of the construction team involved with a project must coordinate their tasks and schedules. Effective integration of rehabilitation and energy efficiency can be accomplished if it is done right.
   
   For example, it is pointless to select the appropriate type of insulation for a home if it cannot be properly installed. Often, however, the work can negate the energy efficiency measures if the housing rehabilitation staff does not coordinate with the energy conservation team. Grantees must learn to understand the energy efficiency concerns and to integrate the measures into their routine.
   
   Grantees with little experience in identifying the energy needs of rehabilitation projects may want to contact local Weatherization programs or utility companies for an energy audit. An energy audit is a systematic analysis of a building's energy consumption.