How Weatherization Helps

Weatherization looks at the whole home to find ways to save energy and improve comfort.
 
The program can help:
  • Lower heating and cooling costs
  • Keep your home warmer in winter and cooler in summer
  • Address certain health and safety issues related to energy use
  • Make homes more efficient and comfortable

Who We Serve

Weatherization is available for eligible households in Bay, Clare, Gladwin, Mecosta, Midland, Muskegon, Oceana, Osceola, Lake, Mason, and Newaygo Counties.
 
We may be able to help:
  • Homeowners
  • Renters (with landlord permission)
  • People in mobile homes
  • People whose homes are on a land contract
 
If you’re not sure whether you qualify, you can still call or text. Our staff will ask a few simple questions and help you figure out the next step.

Multi-Family Weatherization

Weatherization is not just for single-family homes. We also provide Weatherization services for multi-family buildings, such as:
  • Apartment buildings
  • Townhomes
  • Senior housing or other multi-unit properties

Multi-family Weatherization is available in all of our Weatherization counties and currently in Oakland and Livingston Counties as well. This service area may change over time based on the areas of greatest need for multi-family home Weatherization.

For multi-family projects, the process is different than for individual households. Property owners or managers take the first step by contacting our Weatherization Administration Manager to talk about:
  • Whether their building may qualify
  • What the process looks like
  • What information is needed to apply

​To get started, property owners or managers can contact our Weatherization Administration Manager, Jody, at 989-386-3805 ext. 1214 or [email protected].

If you are a tenant in a multi-family building and are interested in Weatherization, you can share this information with your property owner or manager, or contact us, and we can help you figure out the best way to get started.

What to Expect from Weatherization

Weatherization is designed to make your home more energy efficient and comfortable over time. For eligible households, we can:
  • Make energy-saving repairs and improvements at no cost to you
  • Help lower your energy use and improve comfort
  • Address some energy-related health and safety issues when possible
  • Connect you to other programs that may be a good fit for your household
 
Every home is different. Before any work is done for eligible households, our team visits your home to complete an energy audit. This is a careful check of how your home uses and loses energy.
 
Depending on what the audit shows, Weatherization may:
  • Add insulation to attics, walls, and crawl spaces
  • Seal air leaks around doors, windows, and other areas
  • Check your furnace, water heater, and other equipment
  • Repair or replace heating systems when needed for efficiency, health, or safety
  • Install items like energy-efficient light bulbs or other energy-saving measures
 
Not every home receives the same work. Our team focuses on the changes that will save the most energy and improve comfort and safety.
 
There are also a few important things to keep in mind:
  • Weatherization is not an emergency “same-day” repair service
  • Weatherization cannot pay your monthly utility bill (other programs through our agency may be able to help with utility resources)
  • Not every problem in a home can be fixed through this program. Our team has to follow specific program rules
  • We can’t guarantee a certain dollar amount of savings on your bills
  • Energy analysis determines what needs to be completed and we must do all of the work or none of it. Participants do not get to choose what may or may not be completed
 
If you’re not sure whether Weatherization is the right fit, we still encourage you to call or text. Our staff can listen, explain your options, and help you find the best next step, even if that ends up being a different program or resource.

Health and Safety

​As part of Weatherization, staff also look for certain health and safety issues related to energy use, such as:
  • Carbon monoxide concerns
  • Venting problems
  • Combustion safety
  • Moisture issues linked to energy loss
 
When possible, they will address these issues through the program or provide guidance on next steps.
 
If you are in an emergency situation right now (for example, no heat), please call 2-1-1 to talk about urgent help that may be available in your area.

How to Get Started

We serve residents of Bay, Clare, Gladwin, Mecosta, Midland, Muskegon, Oceana, Osceola, Lake, Mason, and Newaygo Counties.
 
To ask about Weatherization or begin the process, call or text the office nearest you:


​You can also email us at [email protected]

When you reach out, it helps if you can share:
  • That you are interested in Weatherization
  • The county where you live
 
Our staff will pass your information to someone in your area. A staff member will follow up to talk through your situation, explain next steps, and let you know what to expect.