The state of Wisconsin received 48-million dollars in federal stimulus money to go towards weatherization programs in the state.

On Monday, U-S representative Dave Obey, along with State Senator Bob Jauch and State Representative Nick Milroy toured a home in Superior making sure the money is well spent.

Rep. Obey said "In this six county area, there are about 500 homes that will be weatherized just like this one is being weatherized today"

Barbara Larson, whose home was being weatherized, says she signed up for heating assistance last year and that was a big factor that allowed her to stay in her own home.

The weatherization process involves checking for proper insulation, hot water heaters, refrigerators and testing air seals.

Because of Wisconsin's harsh winters, weatherization is important not only for comfort but for heating bills as well.

Denise Lutz with the Ashland County Housing Authority said "If we can save money on the front end insulating these homes, we can save up to forty percent per home on their heating costs."

Senator Obey says cutting back on heating costs is important for home owners but it's also important for the country.

"It helps the country save a lot of money in terms of the money we're shoveling abroad to oil producing countries and it also improves living conditions for an awful lot of people in this area."

Without federal stimulus money footing the bill, home weatherization's could cost more than 9-thousand dollars.

The Ashland County Housing Authority oversees the distribution of the weatherization funds for a six county area in Northern Wisconsin