How the Weatherization Assistance Program Helps Lower Your Energy Bills

What the Weatherization information Program does

The Weatherization information Program (WAP) is a federal initiative run by the U.S. Department of Energy that pays for improvements to your home to reduce energy waste. The program sends a contractor to your house, conducts an energy audit, and then installs or repairs things like insulation, air sealing, heating and cooling systems, or water heaters — at no cost to you. You do not pay upfront or repay the money later.

The work is done by local agencies in your state, not by a federal office. Each agency serves a specific geographic area — usually a county or group of counties — and maintains its own waiting list. The program prioritizes households with the lowest incomes and those with elderly people, children, or people with disabilities.

WAP has been running since 1976 and operates in all 50 states. The amount of work done at your home depends on what the energy audit finds and how much funding the local agency has available that year. Some homes receive $2,000 worth of work; others receive significantly more.

Key Takeaways

• WAP is free — contractors perform the work and the federal government pays for it, with no repayment required from you.
• Your local WAP agency conducts an energy audit first to identify which improvements will save you the most money on heating and cooling.
• Priority goes to households with income at or below 200 percent of the federal poverty line, with additional priority for elderly residents, children, and people with disabilities.
• You contact your state's WAP program directly; there is no single national process, and wait times vary by location.
• The program covers the full cost of materials and labor for approved weatherization work, including insulation, air sealing, and HVAC repairs or replacement.

Income limits and who the program prioritizes

WAP serves households with income at or below 200 percent of the federal poverty line. For 2024, that means a single person earning roughly $28,860 per year or a family of four earning roughly $59,160 per year. These thresholds change annually. Your state's WAP office can tell you the exact limit for your household size in your state.

Within that income range, the program prioritizes certain households first. Families with children under age 6, households with a person age 60 or older, and households with a person who has a disability move ahead of other applicants on the waiting list. If your household includes any of these people, mention that when you contact your local agency.

You will need to provide proof of income — usually recent pay stubs, tax returns, or a benefit letter from Social Security or another program — when you reach the top of the waiting list. The agency will verify your income before scheduling the energy audit.

What happens during the energy audit and weatherization process

Once you are selected, a WAP contractor visits your home and performs a detailed energy audit. This involves checking your insulation levels, testing for air leaks around windows and doors, inspecting your heating and cooling system, and looking at your water heater and appliances. The audit takes a few hours and is free.

After the audit, the contractor prepares a work plan listing the improvements that will save you the most energy and money. Common work includes adding insulation to the attic or basement, sealing air leaks with caulk or weatherstripping, repairing or replacing furnaces or air conditioners, fixing or replacing water heaters, and installing programmable thermostats. The contractor discusses the plan with you before starting.

The actual weatherization work typically takes one to three days, depending on what needs to be done. You do not pay anything — not for the audit, not for materials, not for labor. The federal government funds the work through your state's WAP agency.

How to find and contact your local WAP agency

WAP is administered at the state level, so you contact your state's agency directly. The U.S. Department of Energy maintains a list of state WAP offices on its website at energy.gov/weatherization. You can search by state to find the phone number and website for your local agency.

Some states have a single statewide office; others divide the program by region or county. When you call, have your address ready and ask about the current waiting list length and whether your household meets the income requirements. The agency can often give you a rough estimate of how long it may take to reach the top of the list.

If you cannot find your local office online, you can also call 211 (a referral service available in most areas) and ask for the Weatherization information Program in your county. They can connect you to the right agency.

What types of work WAP covers and does not cover

WAP covers weatherization work — improvements that reduce energy loss and lower your heating and cooling costs. This includes insulation, air sealing, HVAC system repair or replacement, water heater repair or replacement, and ventilation improvements. The program also covers the cost of the energy audit itself.

WAP does not cover major home repairs unrelated to energy efficiency, such as roof replacement, foundation work, or general plumbing repairs. It also does not cover appliances like refrigerators or stoves unless they are part of the heating or cooling system. If the energy audit identifies work that is outside WAP's scope, the contractor will tell you and may refer you to other programs that might help.

In some cases, if a heating or cooling system is broken and cannot be repaired cost-effectively, WAP will replace it. The contractor makes this information based on the audit findings and the system's age and condition.

Waiting lists and how long the process takes

Most WAP agencies maintain a waiting list because demand exceeds available funding. Wait times vary widely by location — some areas have a wait of a few months, while others may have a wait of one to two years or longer. Funding levels change year to year based on federal appropriations, which can affect how quickly the list moves.

When you call your local agency, ask specifically how many households are ahead of you and how many homes the agency typically weatherizes per month. This gives you a realistic sense of timing. Some agencies prioritize by income level or household composition, so your position on the list may change if you report a change in circumstances.

Once you reach the top of the list and your income is verified, the energy audit is usually scheduled within a few weeks. The weatherization work itself typically begins within a month or two of the audit, though this also depends on the contractor's schedule and the complexity of the work needed.

How WAP affects your utility bills and energy use

The goal of weatherization is to reduce the amount of energy your home needs for heating and cooling. Homes that receive WAP work typically see a decrease in their utility bills, though the exact savings depend on the work done, your climate, and how you use energy. A home that receives insulation and air sealing might see a 10 to 20 percent reduction in heating and cooling costs; a home that receives a new HVAC system may see larger savings.

The improvements also make your home more comfortable — fewer drafts, more consistent temperatures, and better humidity control. Some people notice these comfort improvements when ready, even before seeing the utility bill savings.

WAP does not reduce your utility bill directly or pay your utility company on your behalf. The program reduces the amount of energy your home uses, which lowers what you owe to your utility company each month.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I have to own my home to get weatherization work done?

No. Renters can receive WAP services if they meet the income requirements and the landlord gives written permission for the work. The contractor will contact your landlord to arrange access. Some landlords may be hesitant, so it can help to explain that the work improves the property and reduces utility costs.

What if I have already started weatherization work on my own?

Tell your local WAP agency about any work you have already completed. The energy audit will account for this, and the contractor will focus on other improvements that will save energy. You cannot be reimbursed for work you have already paid for, but WAP can still help with remaining improvements.

Can I choose which improvements get done?

The energy audit determines which improvements will save the most energy and money. The contractor prioritizes based on these findings, not on your preferences. However, you can discuss the work plan with the contractor before it begins, and they can explain why certain improvements are recommended.

What happens if I move after weatherization work is done?

The weatherization improvements stay with the home — they become part of the property. You cannot transfer WAP services to a new address, but you can contact your local agency about the waiting list for your new home if you move within the same service area.

Does WAP work on mobile homes or apartments?

WAP can work on mobile homes, though the scope of work may be different because of how they are constructed. Apartments are more complicated — the program typically works on individual units only if the landlord consents and if the improvements do not require work on shared building systems. Ask your local agency whether your specific situation is covered.