According to an item in Southwest Nebraska News, the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) awarded Nebraska $2,586,397 to improve the energy efficiency of low-income households. The DOE's Weatherization Assistance Program provides energy audits to identify the most cost-effective measures for each home, including adding insulation, reducing air infiltration and servicing heating and cooling systems. On average, weatherization reduces a home's energy cost by $358 each year. The report said low-income families spend an average of 14 percent of their income on energy bills.