Helping to reduce home energy consumption and costs for eligible households.
The goal of the Weatherization Assistance Program is to reduce home energy consumption and costs for eligible households by improving the energy efficiency of their homes while ensuring their health and safety.
This is a free grant program to those who are eligible and is federally funded through the U.S. Department of Energy and U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
Services
A Home Weatherization Audit determines how to potentially save energy plus maintain the health and safety of the occupants home. Diagnostic equipment, such as blower door, infrared camera, and manometer, are used to detect air infiltration, duct leaks, and pressure imbalances in the home.
Potential improvements include:
- Exterior wall and attic insulation
- Air leakage reduction
- Furnace, boiler, and water heater repair or replacement
- Installation of smoke detectors, carbon monoxide detectors and LED light bulbs
- Our trained housing inspectors will provide energy conservation education to help households reduce their consumption.
- Licensed contractors are hired to complete the measures identified through the home energy audit.
- A final inspection will be completed to ensure all work is performed correctly and satisfactorily.
Eligibility
- Learn about the State of MN Weatherization Assistance Program & Income Limits
- Weatherization services are available to both homeowners and renters.
- A house can be weatherized one time every 15 years. If your home has had weatherization services within the past 15 years, it would not be eligible at this time.
How to Apply
- To receive assistance, a household must apply for the Energy Assistance Program for the current program year.
- Cottonwood, Jackson, Kandiyohi, Lincoln, Lyon, Meeker, McLeod, Renville, Redwood, Rock, Nobles, Pipestone and Murray Counties: Apply for United Community Action Partnership Energy Assistance
- Complete the Weatherization Interest Form (PDF)
- Once the application and the interest form are received and eligibility is determined, all eligible households will be placed on the program waiting list.
Reach out to UCAP Today for additional information on Weatherization!
Have questions or need help with weatherization? Reach out to your local UCAP office or contact our main office!
Conservation Improvement Programs
United Community Action Partnership works with a number of utility providers in the area to complete energy conservation improvements to eligible households.
The following providers are partnering with United Community Action Partnership:
- CenterPoint Energy
- City of Tyler
- Federated Rural Electric Association
- Great Plains Natural Gas
- Hutchinson Utilities Commission
- Kandiyohi Power Cooperative
- Litchfield Public Utilities
- Lyon-Lincoln Electric
- Marshall Municipal Utilities
- McLeod Cooperative Power
- Meeker Cooperative Light
- Minnesota Energy Resources
- Otter Tail Power
- Redwood Electric Cooperative
- Renville Sibley Cooperative Power
- South Central Electric
- Willmar Municipal Utilities
- Xcel Energy
Interested in being a UCAP Weatherization Contractor?
If you are interested in working as a contractor with United Community Action Partnership’s Weatherization Assistance program, please contact us to complete the Contractor Application.
Women, Minority and Section 3 businesses are encouraged to apply. Preference is given to Women, Minority and Section 3 businesses. EOE/AA/ADA
Weatherization Insulation Contractors
Must have the ability to learn how to insulate walls (dense pack) and attics, air infiltration (using a blower door and pressure diagnostic equipment), minor carpentry work, mechanical diagnostic testing and have an understanding of energy program requirements and a capacity to implement these requirements as a “House as a System” approach.
Must meet the qualifications for a Weatherization contractor:
Must have a current contractor license, insurance, lead firm certification, Lead RRP certification, have equipment, tools and diagnostic test equipment; have the ability to complete all work in accordance with MN energy programs policies, standards and requirements. Work will be contracted on a set fee basis. UCAP may have diagnostic equipment and an insulation blower for use.
Mechanical and Electrical Contractors
Must meet the qualifications for a Mechanical or Electrical contractor:
Must have a current contractor license (if required), current insurance and bond, lead firm certification (if required), lead safe practices certification (if required); have equipment and tools and the ability to complete all work in accordance with code. Work may be contracted on a bid or set fee basis depending on location of work.
Grant Information
- Grant Program: Minnesota Weatherization Assistance Program (State Grant, Minnesota Department of Commerce)
- Grantee Agency: UCAP
- Address: 1400 S. Saratoga St., Marshall, MN 56258
- Phone: 800-992-1710
- Email: [email protected]
Leadership & Oversight
- Weatherization Leadership and Grant Oversight: Jeff Gladis, Housing Director Ext:1711
- WAP Manager: Zachary Blomme, Housing Weatherization Manager, Ext:1714
- UCAP Executive Director: Debi Brandt