WEATHERIZATION

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What is the Weatherization Assistance Program?

The Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP) Program provides energy conservation measures to reduce the utility bills of low-income Hoosiers across the state. The WAP Program offers clients a permanent solution to reducing their energy bills by making their homes more energy efficient. The United States Department of Energy (DOE) allocates funds to IHCDA for distribution to our network of Community Action Agencies to perform weatherization work.

What is the process for weatherizing my home?

If you are interested in receiving benefits through this program, you must first contact your local Community Action Agency to enroll. Eligibility for this program is based on household income. Once enrolled, you will be placed on a wait list. Because the demand for these services routinely exceeds the amount of funding available, you may be on a wait list for a period of 2-24 months.

Once your home comes up on the wait list, you will be contacted, and a state-trained energy auditor will be sent to your home to perform a comprehensive energy audit. The results of the audit are unique to each client's home and determine which energy efficiency upgrades will maximize energy savings for the client.

Upon completion of the audit, state-trained contractors will install the energy efficiency upgrades prescribed by the auditor. A final audit will be conducted at the completion of the installation work to ensure the energy efficiency measures installed are operating in such a way to maximize energy savings.

How much money will I have to contribute?

Because the work completed on a client's home is funded through the federal government, all audits and energy efficiency upgrades are installed at no cost to the client. After the final audit has been approved by the client, the client will then be responsible for maintenance of the home and all measures installed.

Why should I weatherize my home?

According to the Department of Energy (DOE), families receiving weatherization services see their annual energy bills reduced by an average of about $437, depending on fuel prices. Because the energy improvements that make up weatherization services are long lived, the savings add up over time to substantial benefits for weatherization clients and their communities, and the nation as a whole. Indiana's weatherization program saves an average of 20-30% on annual home heating costs. Savings will vary by home, and will depend factors such as the size, type, and age of a home.

If you feel cold drafts coming from your windows and/or doors, even when they’re closed; are running the heater all day in the winter just to stay warm; are keeping your air conditioner on all the time during the summer; or find your heating and cooling bills too expensive, then energy efficient weatherization measures may benefit you.

CSD works with a network of community partners to install energy efficiency and weatherization measures in low-income households. Our partners conduct an assessment or energy audit of the residence to identify specific measures to increase energy efficiency. Based on the results of the assessment, energy efficiency improvements may include:

Sealing the holes and cracks around windows, doors and pipes
Ensuring proper levels of insulation
Fixing or replacing windows
Fitting an insulated blanket to the water heater
Making sure heating and air conditioning systems are working properly

Do you qualify?

Energy efficiency and weatherization services are available to low-income homeowners and renters. To receive these services from one of our local providers, your household must meet certain eligibility requirements regarding income, household size, and energy use, among other factors. Eligibility for services may vary depending on sources of income and other factors. Please contact your local energy agency to determine your eligibility.

Our energy efficiency and weatherization programs may also prioritize applicants based on the greatest need, income, and households with vulnerable populations, including the elderly, disabled and households with young children.

CSD-administered energy efficiency and weatherization programs for qualifying low-income Californians are funded by both state and federal monies and deliver economic, environmental, and public health benefits.

By design, these programs leverage multiple funding sources including California Climate Investments funds through the Low-Income Weatherization Program (LIWP), federal Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) funds, federal Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP) funds, utility incentives, and other similar resources to increase energy savings and the health and safety benefits of weatherization services to low-income families.

California’s 2014-15 State Budget provided $75 million in proceeds from the Cap-and-Trade auctions conducted quarterly by the California Air Resources Board and maintained in the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund (GGRF) to CSD for its Low-Income Weatherization Program (LIWP). CSD was allocated $78 million for LIWP in the 2015-16 State Budget.

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services' Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) provides assistance to eligible low-income households to manage and meet their immediate home heating and/or cooling needs. LIHEAP provides weatherization services and financial assistance to low-income households to offset heating and/or cooling costs or navigate a crisis situation, such as receiving a notice to disconnect or terminate utility services, a life-threatening energy-related crisis caused by a household’s heating/cooling system or an energy-related emergency created by a natural disaster. CSD was awarded $173.6 million for LIHEAP in federal fiscal year 2015.

The U.S. Department of Energy's Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP) provides eligible low-income households with services designed to improve the energy efficiency of their home, thereby reducing energy usage and costs. This program also offers some health and safety weatherization measures, as well as education on basic energy efficiency practices, and the proper use and maintenance of the measures installed. CSD was awarded $5.2 million for WAP for federal fiscal year 2015.