KCP&L Income-Eligible Weatherization
FAQs
- How does the process work?
- How do I find my local weatherization agency?
- How do I apply for weatherization?
- What are the incomes guidelines?
- If I rent can I still apply?
- If my income is within these national guidelines, will I be guaranteed to receive weatherization services?
- If I am not eligible for this program who can I call for help?
- What happens to my home during the weatherization process?
- How will I benefit from participating in this program?
- What are weatherization services?
- What is weatherization?
- How can weatherization services be obtained?
- Is there a charge for weatherization services?
- Can mobile homes be weatherized?
- How long does the audit take?
- Does weatherization reduce energy bills?
- How will I know if the work is done properly?
- How long does the inspection take?
- Are the weatherization workers employed by the agency?
- What condition will the workers leave my house after conducting the work?
- How long does it take to complete the weatherization?
- Will I have to pay any money to get my home weatherized?
- What should I do if the weatherization expert asks for money to conduct the work?
- If I know someone who may be interested in the program, how do I refer them?
How does the process work?
After you apply and it is determined you meet the eligibility requirements for the program, the weatherization program will follow this general process:
- Audit of your home
- Develop itemized weatherization project list
- Complete weatherization projects list
- Inspect completed work
How do I find my local weatherization agency?
View a list of weatherization agencies by county, or call KCP&L at (888) 471-5275 and speak to one of our customer service representatives.
How do I apply for weatherization?
Determine your eligibility for the program by reviewing the income requirements and home ownership/rental criteria. Contact an agency in your area to assist in applying for the program.
What are the incomes guidelines?
The income guidelines are established by the federal government annually. Refer to this income table.
If I rent can I still apply?
If you rent in a single-family home, multi-family housing complex, or a mobile home, you can apply for assistance. You must get written permission from your landlord before weatherization services can be performed. The landlord must also agree to pay for no less than 50% of the total costs for the weatherization measures and not raise rent for at least two years from the date of the completed procedures.
If my income is within these national guidelines, will I be guaranteed to receive weatherization services?
Not necessarily. You will need to check your agencies particular guidelines. Funding can also be an issue because it varies from year to year. Please be patient if you are put on a waiting list. Your home will be weatherized as soon as possible.
If I am not eligible for this program who can I call for help?
Even if you are not approved for the KCP&L-sponsored weatherization program, you might still be eligible for short-term assistance on your utility bill from the LIHEAP Program brochure, select your service area under "Cold Weather programs". Funded by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, LIHEAP serves low-income families. In addition, states often use LIHEAP funds for weatherization to reduce a family's energy bills over the long term.
What happens to my home during the weatherization process?
The first step in the process is for your local weatherization agency to carry out an energy audit. This agency is a nonprofit weatherization organization, local governmental agency, or sometimes a contractor trained in home energy services. The energy audit is a computerized assessment of your home's energy use and an analysis of which energy conservation measures are best for your home.
Once the audit is complete, the auditor, inspector, or weatherization contractor with the agency will meet with you and your family to explain how the work crews will conduct the work. Depending on your needs, the auditor will recommend more work in some homes than in others. The average value of weatherization services provided is $2,500.
Throughout the weatherization process, the health and safety of your family remain a priority. Following weatherization, an inspector will return to make certain that everything is working properly and that nothing was missed.
How will I benefit from participating in this program?
Weatherization reduces your energy bills for a long time. Some measures, such as insulating your walls or roof, for example, will continue to provide you savings for the lifetime of your house-30 years or more. Others, such as making your heating or cooling equipment more efficient, will provide savings for 10 to 15 years. On average, the value of the weatherization improvement to your house is 2.2 times greater than the cost of the improvement itself.
What are weatherization services?
- Whole-house weatherization
- Advanced energy audits
- Air leakage control
- Insulation
- Heating efficiency measures
- Cooling efficiency measures
- Water heater system improvements
- Reduction in electricity consumption
- Improving health and safety
What is weatherization?
Weatherization is making homes more energy efficient. Weatherization of a home typically involves the installation of attic, wall and floor insulation and sealing holes and cracks with caulking, weather-stripping and other types of materials. In addition, all furnaces, cooking stoves and water heaters receive a safety inspection. Weatherization services do not include roof replacement, siding repairs or replacement windows.
How can weatherization services be obtained?
Non-profit organizations provide local weatherization services. They are responsible for establishing eligibility, performing an energy audit on the residence and scheduling the weatherization work. Find the weatherization provider in your area.
Is there a charge for weatherization services?
All weatherization services are provided at no cost.
Can mobile homes be weatherized?
Yes, typical improvements to mobile homes include underbelly insulation, storm windows and sealing air leaks.
How long does the audit take?
The audit takes three to four hours to complete. The auditor will inspect your heating and cooling systems as well as examine other key energy inefficient areas of your home. Included in the audit will be a "blower-door" test to determine the air infiltration properties of your home.
Does weatherization reduce energy bills?
Weatherization reduces your energy bills for a long time. After a home has been weatherized, energy used for heating is often reduced by up to 25 percent. Some improvements, such as insulating your walls or attic, for example, will continue to provide savings for the lifetime of the home -- 30 years or more. Other improvements, such as making heating or cooling equipment more efficient, will provide savings for 10 to 15 years. On average, the value of the weatherization improvements to a house is 2.2 times greater than the cost of the improvement itself.
How will I know if the work is done properly?
The improvements made to your home are performed by licensed contractors specializing in a specific area. In many areas, local jurisdiction requires specific inspections and approvals throughout the process. After the work is completed an inspector from the weatherization agency will conduct an inspection to ensure quality and workmanship.
How long does the inspection take?
The inspection should take one to two hours to complete. The inspector is reviewing the installed measures that were pre-determined by the auditor for completeness and workmanship. If they find a deficiency in any area, the inspector will require the weatherization specialist to return and correct the deficiency prior to final approval.
Are the weatherization workers employed by the agency?
In certain cases some of the workers may be outside contractors working with the agency. Many times the actual work to weatherize your home is performed by contractors specializing in a specific skill.
What condition will the workers leave my house after conducting the work?
Typically, your home will be left in the same condition prior to the weatherization measures being conducted. In situations where holes are required to install a specific measure, the holes will be patched and prepared waiting for a finish coat of paint or other covering.
How long does it take to complete the weatherization?
It generally takes two to three days to weatherize a home for typical efficiency measures. If extensive mechanical systems are involved, this may take longer depending on the number of system specialists required to complete the installation.
Will I have to pay any money to get my home weatherized?
By meeting all the criteria to qualify for this program, all expenses required to weatherize your home are covered by funding to the program.
What should I do if the weatherization expert asks for money to conduct the work?
Weatherization experts are fully funded by this program. If you are asked to pay additional funds, do not pay the representative and immediately contact your weatherization agency to report the situation.
If I know someone who may be interested in the program, how do I refer them?
If you know of someone who can benefit from the weatherization, please provide your weatherization agency with their contact information or have them contact the agency directly and inquire about the program.