Weatherization Assistance

The Weatherization Assistance Program helps low-income households heat and cool their dwellings in a more energy efficient manner. Each year families pay thousands of dollars for unneeded heating and energy costs because their homes are not properly weatherized. The wasted money could be put to better use for household needs.

Eligibility
A building is eligible for weatherization services when at least 50% of the building’s households meet the income eligibility of the program. Single-family homes must be occupied by an eligible family and multi-units must meet the 50% rule (i.e. if there are 3 units in the building, at least 2 out of the 3 must be eligible).

Attention OVER-INCOME building owners: As long as the building meets the 50% eligibility requirements stated above, your building may still be eligible for weatherization services. Click here to send an e-mail for more information.

Weatherization Services
Once an application is completed, submitted and verified for eligibility, the building is placed on the energy auditor’s list. The auditor will set an appointment to perform a comprehensive energy audit on the dwelling. The energy audit is used to identify the building's current energy uses. This information is then studied to determine what measures will be required to provide save, cost-effective energy related repairs to the building.

After the energy audit is performed, the weatherization work crew, a team of highly-skilled workers and subcontractors, visits the building to perform the necessary work. Energy-related repairs that the program may provide include:

• Insulating walls, attics, knee walls, and/or crawl space areas
• Air sealing measures such as weather-stripping and caulking around doors and windows
• Energy saving light bulbs
• Water-efficient shower heads and aerators
• Cleaning, testing and repairs or replacement of heating appliances (including hot water tanks), ventilation systems, and distribution systems
• Replacing existing high energy usage refrigerators with energy star models
• Repair of broken doors and windows (where cost effective)

All energy audits and repair work are done within the guidelines of the New York State Division of Housing and Community Renewal’s (DHCR) regulated program. Weatherization services are available in every county across the state and the program has maintained a reputation for bringing great energy savings to the buildings it serves.

Community Impact
During our 2008-2009 program year Albany Community Action Partnership's weatherization team has made quite a difference in our community:

• 105 housing units received energy reduction services.
• Approximately $424,000.00 in grant funds were spent on providing energy saving measures to these housing units. That’s an average of $4,038.00 per unit!

It is anticipated that in the 2009-2010 program year an additional 105 housing units will receive weatherization services. A weatherization special projects grant has been awarded to ACAP to provide energy conservation to 50 senior housing units. An ARRA package will provide additional funds mid-year, which will hopefully lead to services provided to an additional 225 housing units over the next two years.

As a result of these services, homes are safer, more comfortable, better protected from the elements, and less expensive to maintain.

Apply Now
Start your weatherization application by downloading, printing, and filling out the form below. For income qualifications please refer to the information in the application or contact our office directly.

For more information:

ACAP Weatherization Assistance Program
333 Sheridan Avenue
Albany, NY 12206
Tel.: 518.463.3175 ext. 2
Fax: 518.432.4465
rgreenberg@albanycap.org