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The U.S. Department of Energy funds local agencies that insulate and seal drafty homes at no cost to eligible households. Learn how it works and who gets priority.

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Good to know: according to the Department of Energy, weatherized households save an average of $372 or more per year on energy, based on a national evaluation of the program. Local agencies do the work, and in most areas eligible households are placed on a waiting list.

What the Weatherization Assistance Program is

The Weatherization Assistance Program, known as WAP, was established by Congress in 1976. The Department of Energy distributes the funding to states, tribes and territories, which then contract with roughly 700 local organizations: community action agencies, other nonprofits and local governments. These local providers are the ones that visit the home and carry out the work.

According to the federal rules, the aim is to make the homes of low-income families more energy efficient, reduce their energy costs and make them safer. Energy.gov reports that the program has served more than 7.2 million families since it began, and that it currently weatherizes about 32,000 homes a year with Department of Energy funds.

What the crews usually do in the home

Every home begins with an energy audit. A trained auditor reviews your energy bills, performs a blower-door test to gauge how much outside air leaks into the house, and inspects the attic, basement, heating equipment and living spaces. The work list is based on that audit, so it differs from one home to the next. The measures the Department of Energy permits include:

  • Insulation: attic, walls, floors or foundation, along with heating pipes and ducts.
  • Air sealing: closing the gaps where warm or cool air escapes.
  • Windows and doors: repair or replacement, storm windows and window film.
  • Heating and cooling: cleaning, tuning, repairing or replacing the system, plus water heater repairs.
  • Safety: combustion appliance testing, ventilation, and smoke and carbon monoxide alarms when needed.

Not every home receives every item. The auditor recommends the measures that make the most sense for that house, and an inspector reviews the finished work.

Who qualifies and who gets priority

Income is the main test. Under Department of Energy guidelines, households at or below 200% of the federal poverty guidelines, or that receive Supplemental Security Income (SSI), are considered eligible. The federal rules also extend to households in which someone received cash assistance, such as TANF, during the previous 12 months. A state may also opt to use the income limit of its energy bill assistance program, which can go up to 60% of the state median income.

Among eligible households, the federal rules give priority to:

  • elderly people, defined as age 60 or older;
  • people with disabilities;
  • families with children;
  • households that use a lot of energy or spend a large share of their income on it.

The dollar limits change every year and depend on household size and the state. The 2026 figures, the documents agencies ask for and how to find the provider for your county are on the next page.

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Weatherization in 5 points

What to know before you apply

1. No cost if you qualify — services are offered at no cost to eligible households, through local agencies.

2. Based on income — at or below 200% of the federal poverty guidelines, or receiving SSI; some states use other limits.

3. Priority for some households — people 60 and older, people with disabilities and families with children, among others.

4. Owners and renters — renters can apply; the landlord must give permission before work starts.

5. Expect a wait — eligible households are placed on a waiting list.

Based on energy.gov and the federal rules (10 CFR 440). Details vary by state.

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How much a weatherized home can save

The Department of Energy states that weatherized households save an average of $372 or more each year. The figure comes from a national evaluation led by Oak Ridge National Laboratory, which examined homes weatherized in program year 2008, and the agency’s 2023 fact sheet presents it in 2022 dollars. Your own savings will depend on your home, your climate and how you use energy, so treat it as an average, not a promise.

Beyond the bill, the program also considers comfort and safety. A home with fewer drafts is easier to keep warm in winter and cool in summer, and the safety checks can uncover problems with gas appliances and ventilation that many families didn’t know they had.

Frequently asked questions

Does it cost anything?
The Department of Energy describes the services as offered at no cost to eligible households. Whether you are approved, and what work is done in your home, depends on your local agency and on the audit.

Does the program pay my energy bill?
No. Weatherization is work done on the house itself. Help paying bills comes from other programs, which have their own rules.

How long is the wait?
It varies by area and by funding. Eligible households are placed on a waiting list, and the federal rules give priority to the groups listed above.

Is this site part of the government?
No. This is an independent informational site. Applications are handled only by your state and local weatherization agency.

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This page is informational and is not affiliated with the U.S. Department of Energy or any state or local agency. Sources: energy.gov (Weatherization Assistance Program pages and 2023 fact sheet) and 10 CFR Part 440. Eligibility, priorities and services are set by each state and local provider and can change.