Weatherization

The Weatherization Program is a federal grant program. The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) is responsible for administering and allocating funds to the governors of the states. The Governor of Iowa designated the Department of Human Resources (DHR), Division of Community Action Agencies (DCAA), Bureau of Weatherization, to administer the Weatherization Program in accordance with DOE rules and regulations.

Here are the qualifing factors:

• The household is receiving Supplemental Security Income (SSI) or Family Investment Program (FIP) Assistance, regardless of income or
• The household’s annual income is at, or below, 150 percent of the poverty level, as established by the Office of Management and Budget, or
• The household is eligible for the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP).

The Weatherization Program services are provided to homeowners and renters with priority given to high-energy users, elderly and disabled persons, and households containing children. Landlords of rental properties must agree to and sign a landlord agreement. In order to be eligible to receive weatherization a client must have a current application that is no more than 12 months old from the date eligibility was determined.

The Weatherization Program installs energy saving measures in low-income homes making them more energy efficient. The Weatherization Program improves the health and safety of low-income homes by identifying and mitigating such health and safety problems such as carbon monoxide, combustion appliance back-drafting, and high moisture levels.

The Weatherization Program’s Evaluators inspect homes using technologies such as duct sealing and balancing and pressure diagnostics, as well as checking the heating system and ductwork. A computerized energy audit is used on every home to help evaluators determine what cost-effective measures to install on the houses. The Weatherization Program also inspects all combustion appliances in the homes and the repair or replacement of unsafe furnaces and water heaters. In rental units, landlords are required to pay for the repair or replacement of unsafe heating systems and water heaters before the program will weatherize the units. Major weatherization measures installed include attic and wall insulation, blower door guided air sealing, heating system tune-ups and replacements, and refrigerator/freezer replacement. Most of the dwellings served receive attic insulation, wall insulation, crawlspace insulation, and/or air sealing measures. Other energy efficiency measures include low-flow shower heads, faucet aerators, compact fluorescent light bulbs, and smoke or smoke/CO2 detectors.

The Weatherization Program’s mission is to enhance the well-being of low-income residents, particularly those persons who are most vulnerable such as the elderly, the handicapped, and children, through the installation of energy efficiency and energy-related health and safety measures, thus benefiting clients through reduced energy bills, enhanced comfort, and the mitigation of energy-related health risks.

Weatherization Coordinator:
Kirk Datwyler

641-774-8133, ext. 245
datwyer@scicap.org