You are here

Home » Weatherization Assistance Program » Weatherization Technical and Management Resources

Weatherization Technical and Management Resources

The technical and management resources serve as a toolkit for weatherization professionals to access the key program processes, and tools and materials that will assist in the implementation of state and local programs.

Rules & Regulations

Federal regulations provide the framework for the Weatherization Assistance Program. These rules and regulations give state and local weatherization programs guidelines to provide the energy efficiency improvements to low-income dwellings. Visit the Rules & Regulations webpage for more information.

Weatherization Allocation

WAP uses an allocation formula to calculate the weatherization grants to the states based on the amount of funding Congress appropriates to the program in a given year. Visit the Weatherization Assistance Program Allocation Formula webpage for more information.

Appendix A

Appendix to Part 440 - Standards for Weatherization Materials - 
Identifies industry standards for materials allowed for use in WAP. The materials listed in Appendix A  are generic in nature and are generally approved for their energy savings and safety characteristics by large independent institutions representing industry segments, independent testing agencies, or government agencies. Per 10 CFR 440.21(b), weatherization materials standards and energy audit procedures, “only weatherization materials which are listed in Appendix A to this part and which meet or exceed standards prescribed in Appendix A to this part may be purchased with funds provided under this part. However, DOE may approve an unlisted material upon application from any state.”

Weatherization Program Guidance

Each year, Congress passes a Weatherization Assistance Program Appropriation. Find active and archived weatherization program notices and memorandums, which establish the framework for administering WAP funds. View the Program Guidance webpage for more information.

Weatherization Standardized Curricula

These curricula are designed to be comprehensive, yet flexible tools useful to both new and experienced instructors. A new instructor can download the entire module for a comprehensive training session. Experienced trainers may only want to download specific sections to beef up their existing presentations. Visit the Curricula pages for more information.

Financial Management Toolkit

This toolkit serves to update and supersede the Financial Toolkit, previously issued in WPN 12-4 and WPN 10-03. View the current toolkit.

Energy Audits and Priority Lists

Per 10 CFR 440.21(i) and WPN 13-5: Revised Energy Audit Approval Procedures and Other Related Audit Issues, Weatherization Grantees are required to submit their energy audits and priority lists for approval within a 5-year timeframe.

DOE encourages Grantees coordinate with their assigned Weatherization Project Officer about a year out of their five year due date to:

  • Review WPN 13-5 and prepare the materials for submission.
  • Inform your Project Officer whether there will be a new energy audit audit tool(s) or if a revised/updated of the current approved energy audit tool will be submitted.
  • Grantees must submit Analytic Methods worksheet (Attachment 1 of WPN 13-5) when submitting a new energy audit tools that is NOT currently approved for general use in Weatherization. The Analytic Methods requires detailed description of the methodology and calculations for weatherization retrofits. The description must provide sufficient detail for DOE to determine the engineering soundness of the technical approach.
  • Review measure costs and fuel prices and update (annually or quarterly) to comply with the requirements for energy audits and priority lists to demonstrate cost effectiveness over the life of the measure.
  • Grantees requesting approval to use the currently DOE-approved energy audits (listed below) are not required to describe the energy estimating methodology, but are still required to demonstrate competence with their selected audit and are required to provide the related supporting documentation called out in WPN 13-5. 
    • NEAT
    • MHEA
    • EA-QUIP
    • ECOS
    • HEAT
    • REM
    • TREAT
    • eQUEST

Weatherization Field Guides/Standard Approvals

Weatherization grantees are required to have their Weatherization Field Guides approved every 3 years. This process ensures grantees have the most up-to-date information for their Weatherization Subgrantee Network.

Per Section 1 of WPN 14‐4: Quality Work Plan Requirement:

All tasks performed on client homes must meet the specifications, objectives and desired outcomes outlined in the Standard Work Specifications for Home Energy Upgrades (SWS) where applicable.

However, as grantees update and revise their field standards to align with the SWS, they may discover certain specifications that cannot be implemented precisely as described in the relevant SWS. In such cases, grantees may request a variance from the relevant SWS.

Grantees are recommended to submit the following required Field Guides/Field Standards materials to the Project Officer 6 months prior to the expiration date:

  • Field Guides and/or Standards documents
  • Any additional forms or documents referenced in the Field Guide or Standards documents (e.g., combustion safety testing protocols referenced but not included in the Field Guide)
  • Any Standard Workforce Specifications (SWS) variance request form. This form requests the following information:
    • Proposed state standard.
    • Relevant SWS(s) (must reference specific row of SWS).
    • Objective of relevant SWS.
    • Difference between proposed and SWS language.
    • Specific conditions where variance will apply.
    • Reasoning/Justification (including supporting technical materials as appropriate).

Weatherization Health & Safety

Health and Safety measures have been an important component of the Weatherization Assistance Program since they were first added as an allowable measure in the March 4, 1993 final rule. Whenever possible within the confines of WAP rules, measures should be taken to improve the indoor air quality and environment of the home receiving weatherization services.

The weatherization of a dwelling, utilizing the whole house approach and diagnostic testing, includes consideration of health and safety issues such as combustion appliance safety and carbon monoxide abatement, replacement of unvented space heaters with vented ones, lead safe work practices, moisture control measures, building tightness assessments, and exhaust fans and added ventilation when necessary.

Resources:

Weatherization Deferral Standards

The decision to defer weatherization work in a dwelling or, in extreme cases, not provide weatherization services, is difficult but necessary in some cases. Deferral does not mean that assistance will never be available, but that work must be postponed indefinitely until the problems can be resolved. Crews and contractors are expected to pursue all reasonable options on behalf of the client.

Examples of deferrals may include:

  • The client has known health conditions that prohibit the installation of insulation and/or other weatherization materials.
  • The building structure or its mechanical systems, including electrical and plumbing, are in such a state of disrepair that they cannot be repaired reasonably.  
  • The house has sewage or other sanitary problems that would further endanger the client and weatherization installers if weatherization work is performed and repair is beyond the scope of reasonable cost justification.  
  • The house has been condemned or electrical, heating, plumbing, or other equipment has been "red tagged" by local or state building officials or utilities.
  • Moisture problems are so severe that they cannot be resolved.
  • Dangerous conditions exist due to high carbon monoxide levels due to combustion appliances and cannot be reasonably resolved.  
  • The client is uncooperative, abusive, or threatening to the crew, subcontractors, auditors, inspectors, or others who must work on or visit the house. 
  • The extent and condition of lead-based paint in the house would potentially create further health and safety hazards were to be disturbed. 
  • Illegal activities are being conducted in the dwelling unit. 

Weatherization Monitoring

Monitoring is one of the primary ways to ensure the public purpose of the Program is being met at all times. Monitoring:

  • Ensures proper and timely use of funds and realization of expected benefits.
  • Provides transparency and accountability.
  • Provides quality control.
  • Provides technical assistance and training.

Per 10 CFR 440, all Weatherization Grantees have the responsibility to perform annual monitoring and oversight of the program implementation and work performed by all of its Subgrantees. Every year, Grantees are required to submit a monitoring plan and other required elements (monitoring schedule, number of units to be monitored, etc.) within their State Plan.

Resources:

Multifamily Retrofits

DOE has specific multifamily tools and resources to help alleviate lender and building owner uncertainty about energy upgrade results. Learn more on the Multifamily Retrofit Tools and Workforce Resources.