NORWICH — With a hint of winter’s cold weather rearing its head over this past weekend, many Chenango County homeowners are preparing their homes for the inevitable frigid intrusion that is winter in upstate NY.

Each year, the Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP) uses that stiff reminder as leverage to recognize Oct. 30 as National Weatherization Day across the U.S. The day is reserved for recognizing the program’s efforts and demonstrating the value of the energy saving services that benefit low-income households that participate in this program.

Opportunities for Chenango Inc. (OFC) Weatherization Department decided that a good way to recognize Weatherization Day locally for 2014 would be to feature the weatherization work of a recently completed project. The department invited local government and code officials to participate in a tour of a recipient’s home.

The gathering was held at the home of Joseph and Debra Sherman, City of Norwich residents who benefitted from the WAP program. The presentation of their home was a finished product model of energy efficient affordable housing.

A mulch-program, multi-agency approach was initiated by the WAP in an effort to address the substantial needs of the century-old home to meet modern energy efficiency standards.

An initial comprehensive energy audit revealed that the Shermans’ home had no insulation in the exterior walls or attic, essentially leaching heat from all angles. The audit also found that significant air leaks were further making the home uncomfortable and taxing the operating efficiency of the 23-year-old oil burner furnace.