Residential Low Income Program

Objective

The objective of the Residential Low Income Program is to reduce electric use and lower bills of the Cooperatives’ low income homeowners through improvements to their existing home at no cost to them. These installations will be made through existing low income weatherization agencies.

Eligibility

You must be a Cherryland Electric Cooperative Member.
You must meet the 200% Federal Poverty Guideline
You must complete a Weatherization Referral form (pdf) and mail it to Northwest Michigan Community Action Agency (NMCAA)

Rebate

Cherryland Electric Cooperative will provide supplemental funding to NMCAA for cooperative members receiving weatherization assistance from the agency.

Limited Offer

Funding is limited
Only Cherryland Electric Cooperative members are eligible on a first come, first serve basis
Cherryland Electric Cooperative reserves the right to deny payment of a rebate or funding for any reason

Who to contact

For more information or to participate in this program please contact the Northwest Michigan Community Action Agency (NMCAA) or speak to a member service representative by calling 1-800-442-8616 or 486-9200.

Program Questions and Answers
provided by NMCAA

Q: What is the weatherization program?

A: The NMCAA home weatherization program is administered by Michigan Human Services (MHS). The program provides free energy conservation services for income eligible households. MHS contracts with Northwest Michigan Community Action Agency (NMCAA) who determines applicant eligibility, performs the necessary inspections and hires licensed private contractors to do the work.

Q: Who is eligible for these services?

A: Any homeowner/renter may be eligible, if they meet the 200% Federal Poverty Guide lines:

Q: Can I tell the pre-inspector which weatherization measures I want?

A: No. The state has done extensive research on which measures save the most energy, thus, NMCAA cannot allow clients to choose. To receive services, you must allow the agency to follow state-set guidelines on the order of the measures in installed.

Q: If I rent or buying on Land Contract, do I need permission before work is done?

A: Yes, the Landlord or Land Contract Holder must sign an agreement granting permission to have the work completed. This is normally not a problem as the Homeowner gets the benefit of a more energy efficient home.

Q: What services will I receive?

A: NMCAA will send a pre-inspector to determine which weatherization measures should be installed according to state & federal guidelines. Measures may include: ceiling, wall and floor insulation, interior caulking of major cold air infiltration areas, band joist insulation, furnace & water heater tune-ups and inspections. A computer audit will determine what is most cost effective based on the funds available for each dwelling, thus, the amount of money spent & the type of measures may vary between dwellings.

Q: What if my home also needs basic repairs?

A: The Agency’s private contractors can perform limited minor repairs but those repairs must be related to the weatherization work (i.e., patching a minor roof leak prior to installing attic insulation). Cosmetic repairs are not allowed (i.e. painting the kitchen walls, sanding & final coats of drywall mud, etc).

Q: What measures may be installed for mobile homes?

A: Major cold-air infiltration (i.e.; interior caulking, weather stripping leaky doors, tightening drafty windows and replace of floor insulation. Furnace & Water Heater tune-up and inspection. A state rule effective January 1, 1989 prohibits skirting.

Q: Who does the actual weatherization and is the work guaranteed?

A: NMCAA hires licensed and insured private contractors who perform all the required measures. The state requires private contractors to warranty their work for 18 months. NMCAA requires the private contractors to explain the work they have completed on your home.

Q: What results can I expect?

A: National studies show a 15-30% reduction of fuel costs. Results vary depending on your personal habits, household occupants, location of your home, weather conditions and fuel cost increases.

Q: What if I have a complaint regarding the work?

A: In most cases, if the complaint is mentioned to the contractor while they are at your house, they generally resolve it then. If not, mention the problem to the NMCAA post inspector & every effort will be made to resolve the problem.

Q: If I am determined eligible, how long before my home will be weatherized?

A: The length of time may vary. The department contractors work year-round. Funds are limited, not all eligible clients can be served immediately. The Agency can give you an estimate of the waiting period, after the pre-inspection is completed, just call our Traverse City Office, at 1-231-947-3780 ex. 4100.

Q: How do I apply for weatherization?

A: Contact the office that services your county, or if you have questions about the program just call our Community Outreach Coordinator, Chuck Riley at 1-231-346-2135 or 1-231-947-3780 ex. 4100.

Q: How does this help?

A: Besides the 15-30% reduction in your own energy use, lowering the “carbon footprint” of your home; You will notice less draft and be much more comfortable in your home (warmer in the winter! cooler in the summer). Lower bills and a sense that you are doing your part to conserve our precious natural resources, all add up to make this a very worthwhile program!