Weatherization Assistance Programs

The US Department of Energy established a program designed to assist low income home owners increase the energy efficiency of their homes; that program is called the Weatherization Assistance Program or "WAP".  This program provides funding for the installation of energy efficient equipment and repairs that insure the health and safety of the home owners.

The Federal Funding is allocated to the States based upon the per capita percentage of low income residents. A State agency (the TDHCA) then allocates the funding to Sub-grantees. Sub-grantees can be local governments or nonprofit action agencies.

A Cooler House has been selected by three Texas Sub-grantees to deliver the required services in the DFW area.

Those sub-grantees are:

Dallas County Weatherization
Download the Weatherization Application

Ft Worth Weatherization
Download the Weatherization Application

Community Services, Inc. - Serving Hunt, Kaufman, Rockwall, Collin, and Denton Counties

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Low Income Utility Programs

Electric Utility Company Rebates

Provisions in Senate Bill 7 (SB7), enacted in the 1999 Texas legislature, mandated that at least 10% of an Electric Delivery Company’s annual growth in electricity demand be met through energy efficiency programs each year. The Public Utility Commission of Texas helps to oversee the programs and establishes the incentive fees paid to the Service Providers/Project Sponsors like A Cooler House.

One of those Programs is designed to help Low Income Energy Users. All of the Utility Companies on the left are implementing some type of State mandated Low income Weatherization Program. 

A Cooler House is has been a proud participant in these programs for all of these Utilities since 2003. 

Program Eligibility

• All homes must be in a area served by retail competition (no coops or municipalities, and consumers who rent their homes can participate provided they have permission from their landlords.

• This program is available to homeowners with an annual household income at or below 200% of the federal poverty guidelines shown here:

Income Eligibility

For families with more than 8 persons, add $7,480 for each additional person.

Qualifying Measures

These are the most common weatherization measures provided at low or no cost to the customer:

Insulation – Installing the appropriate amount of insulation in your home will not only help reduce your cooling and heating costs but also make your home more comfortable.

• Duct Sealing –  Properly sealing your air conditioning ducts will reduce the amount of cooling and heating required to keep your home comfortable. This saves energy and lowers cooling and heating costs. Service providers must perform an air leakage test before and after performing the duct sealing measures.

• Caulking and Weather-Stripping – Caulking around windows and other openings and weather-stripping doors in your home can significantly reduce air leakage. This helps cut cooling and heating costs. Service providers must perform an air leakage test before and after performing the air sealing measures.

• Compact Fluorescent Lighting – Installing compact fluorescent lamp is a quick and easy way to help reduce the amount of energy your home consumes.

• Water-saving Devices – Low-flow shower heads and faucet aerators can reduce the amount of water your home has to heat, which reduces the amount of energy consumed by your water heater.

Other Qualifying Measures

These additional measures may be provided by the Service Provider at a cost to the customer:

• High-efficiency central air conditioner or room air conditioner

• Floor insulation

• Solar screens

• ENERGY STAR® appliances

• Energy-efficient windows

 

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