Free Home Weatherization for Low-Income Households

If you live in Orange or Chatham County and your income is below 200% of the poverty line (see chart below), you qualify for free home energy audits and many free energy improvements under the Weatherization program of JOCCA (Joint Orange Chatham Community Action, Inc.).

The North Carolina state goal is to weatherize 12,250 homes by June 30, 2012. As of June 30, 2011 only 9,660 homes had been weatherized.This program is available to both owners and renters. If you own your home, all services are free. If you rent, your landlord must pay $275 of the total cost (plus half the cost of a new heating and air system if that system is replaced).

Download application now.

Or contact Doug Dixon at JOCCA for more information: 919/542-4781, dougd@nc.rr.com. If you don't qualify but know someone who does, pass on the information. We all benefit when energy is saved anywhere.

FREQUENTLY-ASKED QUESTIONS

Who is eligible for FREE weatherization assistance for their home?

Any family that is at or below 200% of the federal poverty level is eligible. Priority is placed on providing assistance to the elderly, individuals with disabilities and families with children. See the chart below to see if you qualify.

How can weatherization of a home help?

Household energy savings can be up to $300 a year after weatherization assistance.

How much money will JOCCA spend per home?

The maximum free assistance you can receive is $4,500 per home.

What kinds of homes are covered?

Weatherization assistance is available for single-family homes, apartments, condominiums and mobile homes. You do not have to own your own home to be eligible. Renters are eligible but must have written permission from their landlord. Landlords must pay $275 of the total cost and sign a 2-year rental agreement.

What kinds of weatherization improvements are approved?

1.      Inspect heating/cooling equipment and repair as necessary, including duct diagnostics and sealing (return and supply systems)

2.      Seal major air leaks and bypasses

3.      Insulate and vent attic

4.      Insulate sidewalls

5.      Insulate floors

6.      Insulate ducts and heating pipes

7.      Install a smart thermostat

8.      Install compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs)

9.      Replace refrigerators

10.  General measures to reduce heat waste (weather-stripping, caulking, glass patching, water heater insulation, etc.)

What kinds of weatherization improvements are not covered?

• Rehabilitation of homes

• Replacement of doors

• Replacement of windows

• Major home repairs such as new roofs, new floors, plumbing, electric work

• Building of Home additions

• Painting (other than areas disturbed by weatherization work)

• Laying carpet

• Lead-based paint and asbestos abatements

• Mold remediation

Minor repairs are secondary measures and are not done unless regular weatherization work is needed. The Weatherization Program is not a rehab program. It is an energy conservation program with an emphasis on the health and safety of the client. Households that receive weatherization assistance may be referred to the Heating and Air Repair and Replacement Program, which offers replacement of inefficient heating and air systems.

Who does the work?

Each county in North Carolina has a different approved organization handling weatherization assistance. For Orange County, including Chapel Hill and Carrboro, and Chatham County, this organization is:

Joint Orange-Chatham Community Action, Inc.  (JOCCA)
Doug Dixon, JOCCA Weatherization Coordinator
35 W. Chatham Street PO Box 27
Pittsboro, NC 27540
(919) 542-4781
(919) 542-0563
Open M-F: 8:30am - 5:30pm

HOW DOES THE PROGRAM WORK?

First, an Eligible Family must apply.

Download an application now.

Application forms can also be found at the Orange County JobLink Career Center, 503 West Franklin Street, Chapel Hill (919-969-3032).

Once Approved, A Free Home Energy Assessment is Conducted.

JOCCA will secure the services of at least one energy auditor and subsequent contractors who meet the established performance criteria set forth by the state. An “energy audit” (or “energy assessment”) is done first to determine what weatherization work is needed. After the work is done, another energy audit is performed to demonstrate the effectiveness of the work. The auditor produces a written audit as well as written work orders for any subcontractors needed. JOCCA will ensure that each dwelling receives the most comprehensive weatherization necessary to achieve the greatest level of energy efficiency, and that services are performed in the most cost-effective manner. All energy conservation measures must comply with the Department of Energy guidelines for cost-effectiveness.

Each home energy assessment involves inspection for the following:

• Testing for gas leaks, carbon monoxide, and other health and safety issues

• Checking combustion appliances such as stoves, furnaces, and water heaters

• Determining tuning, repairing, or replacement needs of heating equipment

• Finding air infiltration sites; determining need for installation or repair of attic, wall or floor insulation; finding leaky ducts and testing for proper air ventilation

• Checking for proper fire and carbon monoxide detectors; installing new detectors if needed

• Inspecting water-heater wrap, pipe insulation, and low-flow shower heads

On-site Inspections are Performed to Ensure Quality Work.

After work has been completed and before final payment is made, JOCCA will have homes inspected to ensure proper installation of materials and appropriate operation of mechanical systems. JOCCA inspections will also verify that all work has been completed according to the audit, that vendor invoices match the work performed, and that the unit has achieved appropriate air sealing.

Homeowner Satisfaction is Priority!

JOCCA recognizes the special needs and concerns of low-income, elderly and handicapped clients, and will ensure that clients are treated respectfully and professionally at all times. JOCCA staff conduct themselves in a professional manner. This includes providing prompt responses and service, adhering to scheduled appointments, resolving client or contractor complaints or disputes, and monitoring customer satisfaction through quality assurance visits, phone surveys and written surveys.

Information for each Household Weatherization is Reported in a Statewide Database

To ensure accountability, JOCCA will submit all costs, activities, energy-saving measures, household information, notes, vendor information, and product information for each job to a statewide database.