Weatherization has operated for more than 40 years and is the nation's largest single "whole-house" energy efficiency program. The Program’s primary purpose, established by law, is "…to increase the energy efficiency of dwellings owned or occupied by low-income persons, reduce their total residential energy expenditures, and improve their health and safety, especially low-income persons who are particularly vulnerable, such as the elderly, the disabled, and children.”
LIHEAP WAP provides additional program funding to support the Department of Energy's Weatherization Assistance Program.
Once HHS_ACF awards the grants, the states, tribes, and territories contract with roughly 700 local organizations nationwide that consists of community action agencies, other nonprofits, and local governments. These organizations use in-house crews and private contractors to perform the weatherization services for low-income families. Many states and local organizations leverage other federal, state and private WAP programs to deliver more services while inside the home.
Weatherization is critical to introducing and deploying technology and facilitating greater industry adoption. The home performance industry is based on the skills perfected by weatherization.
The WAP Network and the private sector established the Guidelines for Home Energy Professionals, including the Standard Work Specifications for Home Energy Upgrades and Home Energy Professional certifications along with accreditation of energy-efficiency training programs. Weatherization agencies also create a market for American manufacturing, using products and equipment from local sources, benefitting the business community in the regions they serve.
Weatherization services also create a market for American manufacturing, using products and equipment from local sources, benefitting the business community in the regions they serve
NOTICE:
The Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP) does not provide direct grants to individuals; LIHEAP does not charge a fee for receiving a grant. If you receive a message offering you a LIHEAP grant or requesting a fee, please contact the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Fraud Hotline at 1-800-447-8477.
For more information, please visit the Grant Fraud and Scams https://www.grants.gov/learn-grants/grant-fraud/grant-related-scams.html
Guidelines
1. Subrecipients must comply with the following minimum requirements:
a. No dwelling unit may be weatherized without documentation that the dwelling unit is an eligible dwelling unit as provided in 10 CRF 440.22;
b. Priority is given to identifying and providing weatherization assistance to:
. High residential energy users;
ii. Households with a high energy burden;
iii. Families with children;
iv. Elderly person; and
v. Persons with disabilities.
2. DOE funding is intended to supplement, and not replace, State or local funds. To the extent practicable, the use of weatherization assistance shall be coordinated with other Federal, State, local, or privately funded programs in order to improve energy efficiency and to conserve energy.
3. Subrecipients must perform a final inspection(s) after all weatherization materials have been installed, including any mechanical work performed, and certify that the work has been completed in accordance with the priority determined by the audit procedures required by 10 CFR 440.21. The inspection must be done by a certified Quality Control Inspector (QCI). Subrecipients are required to follow all steps outlined in WV WPN 16- 5 Quality Control Inspection – Job Completion and any subsequent updates as well as procedures outlined in DOE WPN 15-4 Quality Work Plan Requirement Update, and the PY 2021 – 2022 WV WAP State Plan.
4. Subrecipients may expend up to 15% of program operation funds to abate energy related health and safety hazards necessary for the installation of weatherization materials.
5. Occupants of rental units will receive weatherization services in accordance with 10 CFR 440.22(b)(3).
6. Subrecipients must maintain complete, accurate, and timely records concerning financial and inventory control, maintenance and use of property, training, and production matters.
7. Prior to the expenditure of Federal funds for any activity with the potential to affect any property, object or location that is on, or eligible for listing on the National Register of Historic Places, the subrecipient is required to comply with the requirements of Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA), Pub. L. No. 102-575 (16 U.S.C.) §470 et seq.
8. Subrecipients are required to use the approved audit tools to determine weatherization measures performed. The DOE Weatherization Assistant Software
consists of:
a. National Energy Audit Tool (NEAT) for single family houses - NEAT is currently used for multi-dwelling units until the Weatherization Assistant program (the Multi-Dwelling Tool for Energy Audits) is fully developed and implemented. Subrecipients must follow steps outlined in the PY 2020 – 2021 WV WAP State Plan including WVDO’s Multiple Dwelling Unit Policy and Guidance and any guidance or requirements set forth by DOE.
b. Manufactured Home Energy Audit (MHEA) for mobile homes.
9. Subrecipients must perform work in accordance with all Lead-Safe Weatherization (LSW) work practices/regulations. (See WV WAP Standard Work Specifications (WV WAP SWS), WVWPN 13-6 Lead Safe Work Policy – amended November 20, 2013, relevant DOE Weatherization Program Notices (WPNs), including regulations for Level 1 and Level 2 containment, and Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) lead-safe rules as written in the “Lead; Renovation, Repair, and Painting Program” Final Rule (LRRPP Final Rule)).
10. The subrecipient may not use program funds to remove mold or other related biological substances. Subrecipients must refer to and comply with WAP Standard Operating Procedure “Deferral Policy” in the PY 2022 – 2023 WV WAP State Plan and Health and Safety Plan.
11. Program funds subject to cost limitations, may be used to correct energy-related conditions to allow for effective weatherization work and/or to assure the immediate or future health of workers and clients.
12. As a condition of receiving DOE funding, the subrecipient agrees to cooperate fully with the Pass-through entity, its employees, or representatives in monitoring all aspects of the WAP.
13. The subrecipient must use the data management system (DBA FACS Pro), developed by the Pass-through entity for the WAP, to track data collection, client tracking, job costs, reporting, etc.