- If you or someone you know is in need of assistance, please visit our Help for Texans page.
Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP)
Announcements
Quick Links (Links to information on this page)
- Background
- Eligible Activities
- By the Numbers
- Program Guidance
- Technical Resources for Subrecipient Agencies
- Contact Information
Background
TDHCA operates the Weatherization Assistance Program with funds from the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP). WAP is designed to help low income customers control their energy costs through installation of weatherization materials and education. The program goal is to reduce the energy cost burden of low income households through energy efficiency. The WAP is administered through subrecipients, which collectively cover all 254 counties of the state.
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If you need assistance weatherizing your home, find the local WAP service provider (PDF) nearest you.
- Visit Help for Texans and select Weatherization.
- Call 2-1-1 and the operator will direct you to your local utility assistance service provider.
- From a landline, call toll free at (877) 399-8939 between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday. The toll free number will directly connect you with the WAP service provider in your county.
The WAP is authorized by Part A of the Energy Conservation in Existing Buildings Act of 1976, as amended, 42 U.S.C. Sec. 6861 et seq. and Texas Government Code Section 2306.097. The WAP program follows the U.S. Department of Energy regulations codified in 10 CFR Part 440 and 600, and the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Act of 1981, as amended, 42 U.S.C. Sec. 8621 et seq. and the implementing regulations of 45 C.F.R. Part 96.
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Eligible Activities
- Energy audit (a review of your home's energy efficiency, which identifies where air leaks may be occurring, inefficient appliances, etc.)
- Installation of weatherization measures to increase energy efficiency of a home (structure must be able to benefit from being weatherized)
- The weatherization work consists of caulking; weather-stripping; adding ceiling, wall, and floor insulation; patching holes in the building envelope; duct work, and tune-up, repair or replacement of energy inefficient heating and cooling systems.
- The weatherization measures to be installed must meet specific energy-savings goals.
- Approved weatherization measure resources:
- DOE only allows installation of materials using DOE funds as detailed in 10 CFR Part 440 Appendix A:
http://www.waptac.org/data/files/website_docs/
government/guidance/appendix%20a%20insulation.pdf - If DOE approves a new technique or technology the material is added to the list in Appendix A (above).
- Vendors that would like to have their products (technologies and techniques) reviewed by DOE may visit: www.waptac.org/Technical-Tools/SIRTT.aspx
- DOE only allows installation of materials using DOE funds as detailed in 10 CFR Part 440 Appendix A:
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By the Numbers
| $13 million | Typical annual funding received for Texas WAP through DOE and LIHEAP. |
| $437 | Estimated annual utility cost savings of weatherized households1. |
| 12.2% | Percentage of annual income Texas WAP income-eligible households pay for home energy costs2. |
| 3.7% | Percentage of annual income all non-WAP income eligible households pay for home energy costs2. |
| 3,700 | Number of households that receive WAP assistance in a typical year. |
| 14,000 | Number of Texas households on WAP waiting lists on an average day. |
| 15-20 years | Amount of time weatherization provides home energy-related cost savings. |
1 Figures provided by U.S. Department of Energy and based on national averages.
2 2006 estimates from Texas State Data Center
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Program Guidance
WAP Field Guides
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Health & Safety
- Webinar Presentation of WPN 11-6 and the Texas Health & Safety Plan (PDF)
- Webinar Video of WPN 11-6 and the Texas Health & Safety Plan 4/27/2012 (47:21)
- Instructions on Importing into wa8 (PDF)
- DOE WPN 11-06 and 11-6a Health & Safety Guidance
(http://waptac.com) - Asbestos Fact Sheet - OSHA 92-06 (PDF)
- EPA Guidance on Common Household Wastes & Materials
(http://www.epa.gov/osw/conserve/materials/pubs/hhw-safe.htm) - Potential Fire Hazards in a Home (PDF)
- Wood Stoves and Indoor Air Quality (PDF)
- See also WAP Best Practices on Health & Safety
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Lead Safe Work
- WPN 08-6 Interim Lead-Safe Weatherization (LSW) Guidance
(www.waptac.org/Program-Guidance/2010002D2006-Program-Guidance-Documents.aspx#2008) - Lead; Renovation, Repair, and Painting Program; Lead Hazard Information Pamphlet; U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Final Rule, 40 CFR Part 745 (http://www.epa.gov/EPA-TOX/2008/April/Day-22/t8141.pdf)
- “Renovate Right: Important Lead Hazard Information for Families, Child Care Providers, and Schools”, US Consumer Product Safety Commission, Indoor Air Quality Publications, Neighborhood Safety Library (document 427), (http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/pubs/iaq.html)
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Multifamily Properties
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Federal Rules and Guidance
- DOE Rule 10 CFR Part 440 Weatherization Assistance Program for Low-Income Persons , 3847–3856
(www.access.gpo.gov/su_docs/fedreg/a100125c.html) - Code of Federal Regulations for WAP (www.waptac.org/Rules-and-Regulations/Federal-Regulations.aspx)
- DOE Guidance and Regulations (www.waptac.org/Rules-0024amp;-Guidance/Program-Guidance.aspx)
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Davis Bacon Wage Rates
- U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) guidance on revised wage determination issued by Department of Labor (DOL) on December 11, 2009 (PDF)
- Davis Bacon WAP Wage Rates for Texas
http://www.dol.gov/whd/recovery/dbsurvey/weatherTX.htm - Revised Davis-Bacon Wage Determinations For The Weatherization Assistance Program; DOE Weatherization Program Notice 10-7 Effective Date: December 14, 2009, US Department of Energy Program Guidance page
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Technical Resources for Subrecipient Agencies
Agencies contracted by TDHCA to perform weatherization work must comply with certain state and federal rules, regulations, and guidelines. You can find them here. More will appear in the future. If you do not find what you want, please contact your TDHCA Energy Assistance Program Officer. Visit Energy Assistance Training and Technical Assistance for additional information.
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Weatherization Best Practices
Visit the Weatherization Best Practices page.
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State of Texas CO-OP Purchasing
State of Texas CO-OP provides the State of Texas volume purchasing power to local governments and assistance organizations. Members can purchase goods and services from state term contracts, TXMAS contracts, and piggyback contracts. Using these services through the State of Texas CO-OP will meet your competitive bidding requirements. http://www.window.state.tx.us/procurement/prog/coop/.
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Bidding on Weatherization Work
If you are interested in providing weatherization services for low-income households, contact the weatherization subrecipient agency that serves your county with the federally-funded weatherization programs. List of weatherization program subrecipient agencies for Texas (PDF).
Each Subrecipient procures contractors to perform the weatherization services for eligible households. The list provides the name of the weatherization coordinator for each subrecipient. You are encouraged to contact as many weatherization programs as you wish and bid for any counties you want to serve.
The procurement process adheres to Office of Management and Budget (OMB) regulations and provides for free and open competition in the procurement of weatherization services. If you have questions about the procurement process, timelines, or results, please contact your local subrecipient agency directly.
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For more information
Call the Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs' Weatherization Assistance Program toll free at (888) 606-8889, or visit the Help For Texans page to search for assistance providers in your area.
