What is the Weatherization Assistance Program?
The Weatherization Assistance Program improves energy efficiency and household safety through making minor repairs, installing insulation, and completing home evaluations.
Who is eligible for the Weatherization Assistance Program?
The program’s focus is on older adults, people with disabilities, families with children, and people who spend a large amount on utility bills each month. Weatherization assistance is available for:
- Single-family homes, apartments, condominiums, and mobile homes. You do not have to own your own home to be eligible.
- Renters who have written permission from their landlord.
- Individuals or families with a gross income that falls at or below 200% of the federal poverty level or those receiving cash assistance payments under Work First or SSI.
How can I benefit from the Weatherization Assistance Program?
Households can save up to $300 a year after weatherization assistance. Weatherization assistance does the following:
- Professionally evaluates homes for safety and energy efficiency
- Tunes, repairs, or replaces heating and air systems as needed
- Insulates attics, floors, and walls as needed
- Makes minor repairs to homes for health and safety reasons
The Weatherization Assistance Program does NOT offer the following services:
- Home rehabilitation
- Replacement of doors and windows
- Major home repairs (new roofs, new floors, plumbing, electrical work, etc.)
- Building additions
- Painting (other than areas disturbed by weatherization work)
- Laying carpet
- Lead based paint and asbestos abatement
- Mold remediation
How can I apply for the Weatherization Assistance Program?
Applications must be made in-person at a local service provider. CLICK HERE to find your local provider. You must provide proof of income for everyone in your household. Examples of the documents needed are pay stubs and social security payments for the past year. The local service provider may ask for additional documentation. You will need annual income verification for all occupants, energy bills or a printout from your utility company, and proof of ownership of property to be weatherized (or written permission from your landlord).
How else can I save on electric bills?
Here are some simple things that you can do to save energy and keep your electric bills under control:
- Turn off everything you’re not using; lights, TVs, computers, etc. Use dimmers, timers and motion detectors on indoor and outdoor lighting. Unplug computers and phone chargers when they are not in use.
- Set a programmable thermostat to your daily and weekend schedule.
- Check the weather-stripping and caulking around doors and windows. Eliminate air leaks between windows with foam insulation or weather-stripping.
- Close doors leading to unheated parts of your home. With central heat, close off vents to unused rooms.
- If using a fan, reposition the fan blades. Ceiling fan blades should be rotating counter-clockwise during the winter months.
- Refrain from using non-essential appliances. Unplug or use only when necessary an extra refrigerator in your garage.
- Replace your incandescent light bulbs for lower-watt fluorescent bulbs or LED bulbs. This change can save you a large amount of money over time.
SOURCES: NCDHHS and NCDEQ
Last updated 9/29/2022
