Residential Energy Preparation Services (REPS)
DEEP has launched a new program to remove health and safety barriers (asbestos, mold, knob-and-tube, etc.) to enable weatherization work for income-eligible households. Weatherization is the process of protecting a building from external elements such as wind and precipitation which in turn helps reduce energy consumption and optimize energy efficiency of the building. For many Connecticut households, weatherization is the key to maintaining comfortable living conditions while keeping energy bills low. However, too many households across the state are prevented from weatherizing their homes due to health and safety barriers.
Income eligible households who have already been deferred by Connecticut’s state-managed Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP) or utility-managed Home Energy Solutions – Income Eligible (HES-IE) weatherization programs will have barriers addressed before receiving energy efficiency improvements.
The International Center for Appropriate and Sustainable Technology (ICAST) and DEEP provide these services and updates with funding from State Energy Program (SEP) funds, Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) funds, and the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA). Funding for this weatherization barrier remediation program may cover the costs for some or all health and safety improvements.
Barrier Remediation Advantages
Removing barriers to allow for weatherization improves residents' health by removing issues such as mold, asbestos, vermiculite, and other conditions. It also reduces utility bills from the energy efficiency upgrades installed after barrier remediation, prevents disease and injury, increases the quality of life for residents, and protects vulnerable individuals such as people with asthma, children, the elderly, and immunocompromised individuals.
How It Works
- REPS works through Connecticut's existing weatherization programs, WAP and HES-IE. Therefore, if you haven't already, apply for either of these programs to be eligible.
- To ensure access to the greatest benefits, customers must have a current Connecticut Energy Assistance Program (CEAP) award or are required to apply for this program year.
- If you meet the qualifications, you will then work with our Community Outreach Coordinator to schedule a weatherization barrier assessment. The purpose of this assessment is to verify the presence of a barrier to energy efficiency upgrades and prepare the scope of work needed to address the issue(s).
- If you qualify and the presence of a barrier is verified, ICAST will reach out to have you review and sign an agreement for remediation and requirement to follow through with all free recommended weatherization measures.
- After the remediation is complete, you will be referred back to the original program you were working with for additional weatherization services, either WAP or HES-IE.
Who is Eligible?
Customers must be a resident of Connecticut and they must meet the Connecticut income requirement of 60% of State Median Income for their household size. This information can be found here. For questions regarding customer eligibility, please reach out to the Community Outreach Coordinator at CT@icastusa.org or call (844) 843-4585.
Further, the customer must need weatherization services and have a verified barrier preventing such services. Verified barriers include:
- Asbestos or asbestos-like material
- Vermiculite
- Mold
- Moisture control
- Lack of exhaust/ventilation
- Knob and tube wiring
- Energy related roof repairs (with pre-approval; no roof replacements)
- Lack of smoke or carbon monoxide detectors
- Grading: Minor re-grading of perimeter grounds to correct improper drainage and reduce excessive accumulation of water against the foundation
- Gutters/downspouts: Up to 25 feet of gutter repair/replacement and up to 50 feet of downspout repair/replacement
- Dysfunctional or lack of sump pump
- Presence of pests
- Radon
- Air exchange issues, filtration, and indoor air quality (IAQ) issues
- Combustion testing: Includes Clean Tune and Test (CTT), repair of fuel leaks, CAZ testing, and distribution systems including ambient air
REPS utilizes certain project criteria to determine which remediation jobs can be covered by the program. Project criteria include:
- The scope of the project cannot exceed the program's Total Cost Per Unit (TCPU) of $31,400 for customers eligible for Low Income Home Energy Assistance (LIHEAP) funds* or $16,400 for all customers not eligible for LIHEAP funds.
- The program must meet an Average Cost Per Unit (ACPU) of $14,400 for customers eligible for LIHEAP funds* or $6,400 for customers not eligible for LIHEAP funds.
- Only remediation measures covered by the program are eligible (e.g., roof replacements are not covered by this program).
*A customer is currently eligible for LIHEAP funds if the customer is approved by the Connecticut Energy Assistance Program (CEAP).
REPS Timeline
The REPS team has developed a timeline showing each step in the REPS process and the maximum amount of time each step takes. Please see the timeline here.
View DEEP's Press Release on the ICAST Partnership
Past Public Meetings and Events
RFP Conference
November 22, 2021 | Recording | Slide Deck | Final RFP
Public Input Session
August 31, 2021 | Public Notice | Recording | Draft RFP
Planning Workshop #1
November 18, 2020 | Recording | Slide Deck
Planning Workshop #2
January 20, 2021 | Recording | Slide Deck
Both planning workshops were attended by over 75 stakeholders including contractors, non-profits, Energy Efficiency Board Members, and the utilities.
Resources
Energy Futures Group developed a white paper that reviews currently operating programs that address barriers to weatherizing homes, and shares recommendations pertaining to accessibility, funding, and improved health. This paper examines program elements, gathers data on program use, and provides lessons learned. A sortable resources matrix offers a deeper review of existing programs in the Northeast, and national scope resources.
Content last updated August 2023