Delta Weatherization Energy Efficiency Program

The Delta Weatherization Energy Efficiency Program, funded by the City of Chicago Department of Environment and the State of Illinois Attorney General’s Office, seeks to weatherize 200+ homes in the City of Chicago and City of Waukegan. Eligible low-to-moderate income homeowners will receive up to $4,700 in weatherization services, which may include:

• Attic Insulation
• Sidewall Insulation
• Weatherstripping
• Air Sealing
• Water Heater Blankets
• Window Replacement
• Door Replacement
• Thermostat Upgrade
• Duct Sealing and Repair
• Furnace Repair
• Radiant Heat Regulators
• Compact Fluorescent Light Bulbs

Overview

The Delta Institute has two great energy efficiency programs for which you may be eligible:

1. Delta Weatherization & Energy Efficiency Program: The Delta Weatherization Program, funded by the City of Chicago Department of Environment, provides weatherization services to protect a home from the elements by reducing energy consumption, cutting energy costs and making families more comfortable in their own home while ensuring health and safety.

2. Delta Institute Appliance Program: Funded by the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Development, this program allows Delta Institute to replace existing older and inefficient appliances with new efficient EnergyStar appliances (refrigerators, window AC units, and central AC units; EnergyStar does not rate an efficient stove, and we are unable to offer washers and dryers at this time). The old appliance will be properly recycled as part of the program.

How to Apply

Effective October 19, 2011, the program has reached its maximum capacity of applicants.  We still do encourage you to apply so that your application will remain in our waitlist queue until funding becomes available.  But at this time we are no longer able to process new applications.  If more funding should become available, you will be notified and we will continue processing your application. We apologize for any inconvenience and hope to work with you in the future.

To sign up to receive information should funding become available in the future, please complete the Delta Weatherization Information Form.

For information about other energy efficiency programs visit Energy Impact Illinois at www.energyimpactillinois.org or call (855)-9-IMPACT.

In order to qualify, please complete and return this application form. We accept applications by:

• Email: weatherization@delta-institute.org
• Fax: (312) 554-0193
• Mail: c/o Delta Weatherization Energy Efficiency Program, 35 East Wacker Drive, Suite 1200,  Chicago, IL 60601.
   

Workshop Dates:
To participate with DWEEP, homeowners will have to attend a mandatory workshop provided by the Delta Institute. At this time we do not have any upcoming workshops. We will begin scheduling workshop again this coming fall 2011 into winter 2011/2012 in preparation for our Year 4 program year. 

DWEEP accepts applications all year-round.     

Frequently Asked Questions

Download the FAQs.

1.    What is weatherization?
Weatherization is the practice of protecting a building from the elements by reducing energy consumption, cutting energy costs and making families more comfortable in their own home while ensuring health and safety.

2.    Why should I weatherize my home?

• Because it provides long-term relief from expensive energy bills.
• Because it provides long-term relief from cold winters and hot summers.
• Because it reduces your energy costs year-round.
• Because it increases your home’s energy efficiency and decreases greenhouse gases creating a healthier environment.
• Because a typical home saves on average, $418 a year on energy costs after weatherization has been completed.

3.    How much does weatherization cost?
There is no cost if you qualify for the Delta Weatherization Energy & Efficiency Program. Cost for the energy audits and weatherization work are covered by grant funds from the City of Chicago Department of Environment and People’s Gas. 

4.    How do I know if I am eligible?

• You must be a City of Chicago homeowner up to 4 units.
• You must be a People’s Gas customer.
• You must be income eligible. Please see the table below.
   

• If you are registered with the Historic Chicago Bungalow Association (HCBA) or think you might have a historic bungalow, please contact HCBA (312) 642-9900 to qualify for their weatherization program or to verify if your property is eligible. DWEEP does not weatherize historic bungalows.

5.    How do I apply for DWEEP?
Please complete our application and return it to us along with the necessary verification documentation to: Delta Institute 35 East Wacker Drive, Suite 1200 Chicago, IL 60604 or fax to (312) 554-0193 or email weatherization@delta-institute.org.

6.    Once I apply, how long until the work begins?
Delta Weatherization & Energy Efficiency is currently not processing incomming applications as our program has meet its funding capacity.  Upon receipt of an application we will hold your application on file in the order it was recieved so that when new funding is acquired we can notify you when service may begin on your home.  We encourage you to apply but at this time we cannot determine when the program will begin to approve incoming applications. 

7.    I am a renter; can I apply for your program?
Yes, if you can get the homeowner of the property to apply, we will need them to fill out the application.

8.    I don’t live in the City of Chicago, but in the suburbs, do I qualify?
No, our program at this time is only for City of Chicago homeowners. Contact your township representatives or LIHEAP, (877) 411-9276, to find out what weatherization opportunities are available in your community.  Or you can visit Energy Impact Illinois at www.energyimpactillinois.org or call (855)-9-IMPACT to learn about other funding opportunities.

9.    What weatherization work will DWEEP do?
The work can be as simple as air sealing around windows and installing programmable thermostats to more complicated measures like insulating exterior walls of the property and insulating attics.

10.    How is the weatherization work determined?
DWEEP has certified energy auditors who complete an energy assessment to determine the scope of weatherization work and provide recommendations. DWEEP then determines what work will be completed by the weatherization contractor based on type of property, most energy efficient and most cost effective measures.

11.    Who picks the contractors?
DWEEP assigns all contractors. Each contractor has been verified to have credible weatherization certifications and experience.

12.    How do you know if the work completed by the weatherization contractor is any good?
After the weatherization work has been completed, we have the same energy auditor return to your property to do another post-inspection on the work. This post-inspection will verify the work performed by the weatherization contractor and notify DWEEP if the work needs to be reevaluated.

13.    Why do you need my energy bill information?
Because we want to determine how much energy participating homeowners are saving on their energy bills and continue to provide necessary information on weatherization and procedures. All information is kept strictly confidential.

Contact Us

Delta Institute will be available for questions throughout the process. Please feel free to contact us at 312-554-0900 x10 or email us at weatherization@delta-institute.org.