The Weatherization Assistance Program FAQs

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. What is the Weatherization Assistance Program? 
2. Who should I contact about the Weatherization Assistance Program? 
3. What are weatherization services? 
4. If I rent, can I still apply? 
5. If my income is within guidelines, will I be guaranteed weatherization service? 
6. What happens to my home during the weatherization process? 
7. How will I benefit by participating in the weatherization program? 
8. If I'm not eligible for this program, who can I call for help? 
9. How much money can I make and still qualify? 

1. What is the Weatherization Assistance Program? 

The Weatherization Assistance Program is a service that provides insulation, heating systems and does checks for various household safety issues. Trained technicians evaluate the needs of each home and suggest measures to make the home warm in the winter, cool in the summer and safe all of the time.

2. Who should I contact about the Weatherization Assistance Program? 

John Patrick "Pat" Flowers, Weatherization Program Manager
(502) 564-7630 ext. 335

For contract or regulations information:
Karla Thompson, Weatherization Program Specialist
(502) 564-7630 ext. 358

For technical and programmatic information:
Gary Brown, Senior Weatherization Trainer/Monitor
(502) 564-7630 ext. 355

To find the nearest Community Action Agency where you can apply, visit http://communityactionky.org/Agencies/tabid/331/Default.aspx

3. What are weatherization services?

• Whole-house weatherization
• Advanced energy audits
• Air leakage control
• Insulation
• Heating efficiency measures
• Cooling efficiency measures
• Water heater system improvements
• Reduction in electricity consumption
• Improving health and safety

4. If I rent, can I still apply? 

Yes. If you rent, you must get written permission from your landlord before weatherization services can be performed. If you own or rent, live in a single-family home, multifamily housing complex or a mobile home, you can apply for assistance.

5. If my income is within guidelines, will I be guaranteed weatherization service?

Not necessarily. You will need to check Kentucky's guidelines. Funding can be an issue because Congress allocates a certain amount of funding for the program on a national level, and funding varies from year to year. Please be patient if you are put on a waiting list. Your home will be weatherized as soon as possible.

6. What happens to my home during the weatherization process?

The first step in the process is for your local weatherization agency to carry out an energy audit. The energy audit is a computerized assessment of your home's energy use and an analysis of which energy conservation measures are best for your home.

When the audit is complete, the auditor or inspector from the local weatherization agency will meet with your family to explain how the work crews will do the work.

When the weatherization process is complete, an inspector will make certain that everything is working properly and that nothing was missed.

7. How will I benefit by participating in the weatherization program?

Weatherization reduces your energy bills. Insulating your walls or roof will provide you savings for the lifetime of your house. Making heating or cooling equipment more efficient will provide savings for 10 to 15 years. On average, the value of the weatherization improvement to your house is 2.2 times greater than the cost of the improvement itself.

8. If I'm not eligible for this program, who can I call for help?

• Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP)
  If you are not approved for weatherization assistance, you might still be eligible for short-term assistance on your utility bill from LIHEAP. LIHEAP serves low-income families. States often use LIHEAP money for weatherization to reduce a family's energy bills.
• The Federal Energy Management Agency (FEMA)
  FEMA provides a number of services to assist individuals who are victims of a natural disaster including low-interest loans, cash grants and links to assistance from other agencies.
• Project Impact
  Project Impact is designed to reduce a community's exposure to natural disaster.

9. Income Guidelines

Qualification for Weatherization is based on your income related to the poverty level.