Energy programs
Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP)
Federally funded weatherization at no cost to the household, delivered locally by Capital Area Community Services.
The Weatherization Assistance Program is the oldest and, for the households it serves, the most generous of these programs. It is funded by the U.S. Department of Energy, administered in Michigan by MDHHS, and delivered locally by community action agencies.
For an eligible household the work costs nothing. There is no loan, no rebate to claim and no share to find.
In Clinton, Eaton, Ingham and Shiawassee counties the agency that runs it is Capital Area Community Services. You apply to them, not to a contractor — and we say that plainly, because if you are likely to qualify, this is the first door to try.
Who pays
The U.S. Department of Energy through Michigan MDHHS, delivered by your local community action agency.
How much
No cost to an eligible household. The agency funds the work directly.
Who qualifies
- Households at or below 200% of the federal poverty level.
- Priority goes to older people, people with disabilities, and families with children.
- In Clinton, Eaton, Ingham and Shiawassee counties the agency is Capital Area Community Services.
- The agency qualifies the household and schedules the work — you apply to them, not to us.
Who it is for
Households at or below 200% of the federal poverty level. The agency verifies eligibility; a contractor has no part in that.
Priority goes to older people, people with disabilities, and families with children.
Both homeowners and renters can be served, and the agency handles the arrangements.
How it works
You apply to Capital Area Community Services directly. They verify eligibility and schedule their own certified energy auditor to survey the home.
The auditor uses energy modeling software and diagnostic equipment to decide the most cost-effective measures for that specific house, and produces a work order.
The agency buys all the materials and issues the work to a contractor on its approved list. Typical work is attic and wall insulation, floor and perimeter insulation, air sealing, and health and safety measures such as smoke and carbon monoxide alarms and dryer venting.
Our position on this one, honestly
We are not currently on the Capital Area Community Services approved contractor list, and we will not pretend otherwise. Getting onto it means answering their competitive solicitation, which we are working toward.
If your household is likely to qualify for WAP, apply to the agency. It costs you nothing and it is a better outcome than any rebate we could arrange.
If you do not qualify, the other three programs on this site are where to look, and that is a conversation we are glad to have.
What happens, in order
- 01Apply directly to Capital Area Community Services.
- 02They verify eligibility and carry out their own energy audit.
- 03They issue the work to a contractor on their approved list.
This one is the agency’s to run, and we say so plainly. We are working toward their approved contractor list. If you are likely to qualify for WAP, that is the first door to try, because it costs the household nothing.
Questions about Weatherization Assistance
Does weatherization assistance really cost nothing?
For an eligible household, yes. The program funds the work directly — there is no rebate to claim, no loan and no homeowner share. Eligibility is at or below 200% of the federal poverty level and the agency verifies it.
Who do I apply to for weatherization in Ingham County?
Capital Area Community Services, which covers Clinton, Eaton, Ingham and Shiawassee counties. You apply to the agency directly rather than through a contractor.
Can renters get weatherization assistance?
Yes, with the arrangements handled through the agency. Priority across the program goes to older people, people with disabilities and families with children.
More general questions are answered on the FAQ page. Or call (517) 505-7135 and ask.
The other routes, in case this one is not yours
Find out if Weatherization Assistance fits your house
Eleven quick questions about the house. None of them about your income, because the programs check that themselves. It takes about two minutes and there is nothing to pay and nothing to sign.
See if you qualifyOr call (517) 505-7135 and ask.