Weatherization FAQ
- What is the eligibility for weatherization?
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We can weatherize owner-occupied homes and rentals, including single-family houses, mobile homes and multi-family units up to a four-plex. A home can only receive weatherization services once. All services and materials are provided at no cost to eligible households, and all employees and subcontractors must pass a background check.
Eligibility is determined by income or participation in Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LEAP) or other approved State programs, and lawful presence in the United States.
The eligibility criteria includes:
1. Current enrollment in an approved state Programs
- Temporary Aid to Needy Families (TANF)
- Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LEAP)
- Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
- Aid to the Needy Disabled (AND)
- Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)
- Title IV or Title XVI of the Social Security Act
OR
2. The total gross annual income for all individuals living in the home is less than 60% of the state median income (SMI) as defined by the United States Government Department of Health and Human Services (HHS).
This is calculated by collecting verification of the most recent three months of income immediately preceding eligibility determination then the income is annualized. Included income is:
- Money, wages, and salaries before any deductions.
- Net receipts from non-farm or farm self-employment (receipts from a person's own business or from an owned or rented farm after deductions for business or farm expenses).
- Regular payments from social security, railroad retirement, unemployment compensation, strike benefits from union funds, worker's compensation, veteran's payments, training stipends, alimony, and military family allotments.
- Private pensions, government employee pensions (including military retirement pay), and regular insurance or annuity payments.
- Dividends and/or interest.
- Net rental income and net royalties.
- Periodic receipts from estates or trusts.
- Net gambling or lottery winnings.
3. Completing the United States Lawful Presence Affidavit
Excluded Income:
- Capital gains.
- Any assets drawn down as withdrawals from a bank.
- Money received from the sale of a property, house, or car.
- One-time payments from a welfare agency to a family or person who is in temporary financial difficulty.
- Tax refunds.
- Gifts, loans, or lump-sum inheritances.
- College scholarships.
- One-time insurance payments, or compensation for injury.
- Non-cash benefits, such as the employer-paid or union-paid portion of health insurance.
- Employee fringe benefits, or food or housing received in lieu of wages.
- The value of food and fuel produced and consumed on farms.
- The imputed value of rent from owner-occupied non-farm or farm housing.
- Depreciation for farm or business assets.
- Federal non-cash benefit programs, such as Medicare, Medicaid, food stamps, school lunches, and housing assistance.
- Combat zone pay to the military.
- Child support.
- Reverse mortgages.
- Payments for the care of foster children.
- What services are included?
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- Energy audit of the home
- Energy conservation information
- Furnace and water heater safety test
- Furnace replacement, if eligible
- Solar panels, if eligible
- Insulation in attics, walls and crawl spaces
- Storm Windows, if eligible
- Sealing air leaks
- LED light bulbs
- What services are not included?
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- Utility bill payments
- Replacing exterior windows, doors, sliding or patio doors or siding
- Emergency electrical, plumbing or structural repairs
- Repairing or replacing air conditioners or swamp coolers
- Other helpful resources
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Tips to Save Energy at Home
Other Helpful Resources
The County Weatherization program may not be able to help in every situation. Please explore these additional services, programs, and resources to assist you. Each of the following resources have their own eligibility requirements. Arapahoe County cannot guarantee you will qualify.
Without Heat? Need Emergency Repair/Replacement?
Contact the Crisis Intervention Program through Energy Outreach Colorado to see if you’re eligible for emergency repairs/replacement. Call the 24-hour toll-free helpline at 1-855-469-4328
Help paying your bills (Utilities, Rent, Mortgage):
- Colorado Low-Income Energy Assistance Program (LEAP) can help eligible Colorado residents pay a portion of their winter home heating costs. Click the link above or call 1-866-432-8435.
- Arapahoe County Rent, Mortgage and Utility Assistance Program
- Brothers Redevelopment, or 1-844-926-6632
Home Repairs
- Brothers Redevelopment, or 1-844-926-6632
- Rebuilding Together of Metro Denver, or 720-524-0840
- How is funding provided?
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Funding for weatherization services is provided by the Colorado Energy Office and the U.S. Department of Energy Denver Regional Office.
- Does the program help pay utility bills?
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No. However, the Colorado Low-income Energy Assistance Program (LEAP) can help pay for utility bills if you are eligible.
- Can I get help if I don't own the house?
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Yes. The property owner will be required to complete and sign our Homeowner’s Authorization form.
- Does the program replace water heaters and furnaces?
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The Arapahoe County Weatherization Assistance Program is not an emergency repair or replacement program. The program may repair or replace a water heater and/or furnace if we determine the need during the provision of other energy saving measures such as insulation or refrigerator replacement.
Low-income Energy Assistance Program (LEAP) approved customers who have a NO HEAT emergency may contact the Crisis Intervention Program (CIP) at 855-469-4328 or by email at cip@ecallogy.com
- Is my home eligible for services?
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Single family dwellings, and individually heated (you must have your own heating source inside your unit) townhomes and condominiums can be eligible. Your home is not eligible if the property received weatherization services in the last 15 years and one month.
- Do I have to pay for services if my home is eligible?
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All services and materials are provided free of cost and paid for by the grant. However, for rental customers who reside in individually heated townhomes or condominiums, the property owner will be required to contribute 50% of the cost to replace the furnace or refrigerator, if eligible.
- Does the program install solar panels?
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Yes, we can install solar panels for owner-occupied, single-family dwellings that meet structural and electrical usage standards. Solar panels are a part of the weatherization services and can installed in conjunction with other energy saving measures performed in the home.