Home Weatherization
Published May 2, 2022
The Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP) provides free home upgrades to income-eligible homeowners and renters. Weatherization upgrades help households reduce energy use, save money, and improve the health and comfort of their homes.
Weatherization works closely with its companion program, the Energy Assistance Program, to help permanently reduce the energy bills for low-income Minnesotans. Weatherization reduces home energy bills by an average of 20-30 percent.
Potential energy upgrades include:
- Exterior wall and attic insulation
- Air leakage reduction
- Furnace, boiler, and water heater repair or replacement
- Ideas to help you reduce your home’s energy use, such as using a programmable thermostat
| Household size | Three month max. income | Annual income |
| 1 | $6,795 | $27,180 |
| 2 | $9,155 | $36,620 |
| 3 | $11,515 | $46,060 |
| 4 | $13,875 | $55,500 |
| 5 | $16,235 | $64,940 |
| 6 | $18,595 | $74,380 |
| 7 | $20,955 | $83,820 |
See full chart for larger household sizes.
In Minnesota, weatherization assistance is available to both renters and homeowners who meet income guidelines. Eligible households can apply by contacting their local service provider or by accessing the joint Energy Assistance and Weatherization Assistance application online. Weatherization gives priority to households with elderly or disabled members, households with children under age 19, and households determined to be high energy consumers.
In some instances, households may have to undergo “pre-weatherization” measures before being eligible for weatherization improvements. For example, in older homes, mold, asbestos, or lead paint might have to be removed before energy upgrades can be installed. To address this concern, the Minnesota legislature passed the Energy Conservation and Optimization (ECO) Act in 2021 to include pre-weatherization funding in Minnesota’s Conservation Improvement Program (CIP). Implementing these measures helps ensure more households are eligible for weatherization assistance. Because CIPs are administered by individual utilities, reach out to your local electric or natural gas utility to see if you are eligible.
Weatherization is a nationwide, federally funded program.
If you have any questions, feel free to contact us at 651-300-4701 or at info@cubminnesota.org.