Refer to Iowa Weatherization Policy and Procedures Manual for Details on Program Policies

1020 POLICIES

Refer to Iowa Weatherization Policy and Procedures Manual for details on program policies.

1021 Cost Limits

The Iowa Weatherization Program has a limit on the total amount of program funds spent on a home as well as limits on how much can be spent on various measures. These limits are listed in the Work Standards Appendix. Agencies must obtain prior approval from DCAA to exceed established expenditure limits.

1022 Fuel Switching

There may be situations when an agency must consider whether to install a heating system or a water heater using a different fuel source than what the current heating system/water heater uses. This is referred to as fuel switching. Due to the complaints the agency and program may receive from a fuel vendor who has lost business due to fuel switching, a lot of consideration must be given to the decision whether to switch fuels. The reasons for considering fuel switching are:  When the client requests it. (Usually when the appliance currently uses oil or propane and now natural gas is available to the house.)  When it is more cost effective to replace the existing appliance with one using a different fuel.  When it’s necessary for health and safety reasons. Usually when a gas water heater is back drafting or has spillage and the only solution is to install an electric water heater. This may only be done if all other options, such as moving the existing water heater or installing a power vented water heater, have been considered and won’t work.

Client Approval If fuel switching is being considered, the agency must obtain the client’s written approval before installing an appliance using a different fuel. The reason for this is to prevent the fuel vendor, who had previously supplied the fuel, from complaining the program is “taking his/her business away.” If a vendor complains, the client request is documented.

If a client requests the replacement appliance using a different fuel, and the reason is not for health and safety reasons, the fuel switch may only be done if it does not cost more. For example, the client’s furnace is currently a propane furnace and the client wants a natural gas furnace installed because the house now has access to natural gas lines. If the cost of installing a natural gas furnace would be more than the cost of installing a propane furnace, the fuel switch should not be made, unless the client pays the difference between the cost of installing a propane furnace and the cost of installing a natural gas furnace.

If a client insists on switching to a higher cost fuel (e.g. from gas to electric) for other than health and safety reasons, and the installation cost of the new type of system is not greater than the installation cost would be for the same type of system, the fuel switch can be made provided the client signs a statement certifying he/she understands the operational costs of the different system will be higher.

When determining whether it is cost effective to switch fuels, all costs associated with the installation of a heating system using a different type of fuel must be considered. For example, if ductwork would have to be added, the cost of adding the ductwork needs to be included in the cost effectiveness determination. Also, the cost of hooking up the house to a natural gas pipeline needs to be considered. Program funds cannot be used to pay the cost of LP tanks, running gas lines from the street or LP tank to the house. A formula to help determine cost effectiveness is available in Work Standards Appendix. The cost analysis must include estimates of both installation and operational costs. DCAA Prior Approval The agency must also receive approval from the DCAA. This is done through the use of the Fuel Switching Request Form. The Fuel Switching Request Form must be filed in the client’s file. A copy of the Fuel Switching Request Form is available on the State of Iowa Weatherization web page in the Members Only section: www.state.ia.us/dhr/caa/WxPage.html as well as in the Work Standards Appendix. 1023 Material Specification

Materials used for energy efficiency measures must meet or exceed the specifications described in 10 CFR 440, Appendix A, "Standards for Weatherization Materials". Materials used for health and safety purposes, repairs, or materials required by and paid by utility companies, are not required to meet or exceed the specifications described in 10 CFR, 440, Appendix A.

The complete 10 CFR, 440, Appendix A is available in the Work Standards Appendix.

All materials shall be installed according to the National Uniform Building Code, local building codes, and/or these standards.

Cellulose insulation containing ammonia sulfate is not recommended. It must not be used in wet spray application, because when wet it gives off an ammonia odor.

1024 Required Tests and Documentation

The Iowa Weatherization Program requires agencies to conduct certain diagnostic tests and document results in the client (house) file. Some of this information must also be reported in WAMS. Following is a list of the required tests and documentation.  Spillage results (for both pre- and post-weatherization) for the heating system and water heater under the worst-case scenario. (See Section 2041)  Draft pressure results (for both pre- and post-weatherization) for both the heating system and water heater under the worst-case scenario. The outside temperature reading must also be included. (See Section 2041)  Record baseline pressure readings of the combustion appliance zone (caz) with reference to (wrt) the outside. Record the pressure readings of the caz wrt the outside with the air handler on. Record the difference between the baseline reading and the reading with the air handler on. (This can be done by adding or subtracting the baseline reading from the reading with the air handler on.) Record results for both pre- and post-weatherization. (See Section 2041)  Carbon monoxide (CO) readings (for both pre- and post-weatherization) for each gas appliance, except dryers. (See Section 2042)  Temperatures on the supply and return plenums to obtain the temperature rise results. Record results for both pre- and post-weatherization. (See Section 2043)  Fan “on” and fan “off” temperatures. Record the results for both pre- and post- weatherization. (See Section 2043)  Pre- and post-weatherization pressure pan test reading. (See Section 2044)  Pre- and post-weatherization garage leakage test readings for homes with attached or tuck- under garages. (See Section 2052)  Pre- and post-weatherization blower door readings. (See Section 2051)  BTL and DTL results. (See Section 2080)  Room-to-room pressures. (See Section 2046.01)  Appliance (refrigerator/freezer) meter readings.  If pre- and post-weatherization attic bypass leakage is tested, it needs to be reported in WAMS. (See Section 2052) Diagnostic Tests and Documentation Requirements *also apply to mobile Test H & S homes (Pre- and Post- Agency Assessment WAMS Weatherization) Form Form

Carbon Monoxide* Y Y 1025 Completed Home

Spillage* Y Standard Dwelling The following measures and tests must be done in Drafting* Y order for a standard dwelling to be considered Temperature rise* Y a completion:

Fan “on” and “off” temperatures Y If NEAT Audit Cumulative SIR = 1.0 or Baseline pressures of caz wrt > 1.0: Y outside  Blower Door Test. Infiltration Blower door* Y Y Reduction (if blower door Room-to-room pressure test* Y reading is higher (when required) than BTL). Pressure pan test* (when Y Attic Bypass required) Sealing (if Garage leakage needed). (For homes with attached or Y Y  Health & Safety tuck-under garages) procedures and Building Tightness Limits (BTL)* Y diagnostic testing.  Other allowable Depressurizatoin Tightness Y health and safety Limits (DTL)* measures (if Appliance metering* needed). Y Y (pre-weatherization only) Crawlspace vapor Attic bypass leakage barrier (if Y Y (if completed) accessible).  All Energy Efficiency Measures called for by the NEAT Audit, in sequence and within structural limits.  Other Measures (if appropriate and client consents). Water Heater Wrap and Water Pipe Insulation. Low-flow Shower Heads and Faucet Aerators. Compact Fluorescent Light Bulbs (if program funded, - if included in the NEAT Audit run on the dwelling). Water Bed Insulation Pads. Refrigerator/freezer metering and replacement (if needed).  A final inspection of the dwelling must be performed by the local agency.

If NEAT Audit Cumulative SIR < 1.0:  Blower door test. Attic Bypass Sealing (if needed).  Health & safety procedures and diagnostic testing.  Other allowable health and safety measures (if needed). Crawlspace vapor barrier (if accessible).  Other measures (if appropriate and client consents). Water heater wrap and water pipe insulation. Low-flow shower heads and faucet aerators. Compact fluorescent light bulbs (if program funded, - if included in the NEAT Audit run on the dwelling). Water Bed Insulation Pads. Refrigerator/freezer metering and replacement (if needed).  A final inspection of the dwelling must be performed by the local agency. Mobile Homes For a mobile home to be reported to the state as complete the following requirements must be met:  Blower Door Test. Infiltration Reduction (if needed). Bypass sealing (if needed).  Health & safety procedures and diagnostic testing.  Other allowable health and safety measures (if needed).  Mobile home protocol. (See Section 8000)  Other measures (if appropriate and client consents). Water heater wrap and water pipe insulation. Low-flow shower heads and faucet aerators. Compact fluorescent light bulbs (if program funded, - if included in the NEAT Audit run on the dwelling). Water Bed Insulation Pads. Refrigerator/freezer metering and replacement (if needed).  A final inspection of the dwelling must be performed by the local agency.

Multi-Unit Dwelling Refer to the Weatherization Policies and Procedures Manual Section 5 for the definition of a completion for multi-unit dwellings.

NOTE: Multi-unit dwellings containing 5 or more units require DCAA prior approval before the dwelling can be weatherized.

Incomplete Home An incomplete home is one the local agency has physically traveled to in order to begin the weatherization process, but could not begin work due to one or more of the factors. An incomplete home is also one in which work has started but cannot be completed due to one or more factors. 1026 Walk Away Policy

Although a client may be eligible for the Weatherization Program, there are situations or conditions where weatherization services should be deferred (i.e. delayed or postponed). Hopefully, the decision to defer weatherization can be made before work, or any significant work, begins on a dwelling. However, there are times when work will have begun on a dwelling before one of the situations or conditions is identified. In those cases, the local agency should defer doing any additional work.

Deferring work on a dwelling does not mean the dwelling will never be weatherized. If the situation or condition causing the deferral changes, it may be possible to begin or complete the work. For example, a dwelling shouldn’t be weatherized if it has a bad roof. However, the dwelling can be weatherized later if the roof is replaced/repaired. Another example is a dwelling undergoing remodeling. The dwelling should not be weatherized while it is being remodeled. However, after the remodeling is completed, the dwelling may be weatherized.

Whenever weatherization is deferred, the local agency must clearly explain to the client why the work was deferred, what changes must occur before weatherization can begin/continue and the responsibility of both parties. The local agency must also document the reason for the deferral in the file. . Following are reasons weatherization services should be deferred:  When the client refuses to sign the “Client Consent Form”. (See Section 2011.01)  When a dwelling is posted as being "For Sale" or is known to be for sale (except homes currently in a housing rehabilitation program).  When a dwelling poses a health or safety hazard to crew workers or contractors, for example, rats, bats, roaches, reptiles, insects, animals or other vermin inappropriately or not properly contained on the premises.  When health or safety hazards must be corrected before weatherization services may begin including, but not limited to:  The presence of animal feces and/or other excrements.  Disconnected waste water pipes.  Hazardous electrical wiring.  Unvented combustion appliances.  When a member of the household has known health conditions which prohibit the installation of insulation or other materials.  When unsafe combustion appliances or other hazards pose a health or safety threat to clients if the dwelling is weatherized unless the hazards are mitigated by the program, if allowed, or through other means.  When the cost of repairing or replacing an unsafe combustion appliance is more than the program’s allowable repair or replacement expenditure limit. (For these situations, there may be other funding options to cover the cost in excess of the limit and therefore permit the dwelling to be weatherized. Refer to Section 5.00 of the Weatherization Policies and Procedures Manual for more information on this.)  When a dwelling has an unvented space heater, unless the unvented space heater is removed from the dwelling and a vented heating system is installed as a replacement.  When a dwelling is undergoing remodeling or has unfinished areas, which directly affect the weatherization process. Weatherization work may be done when the remodeling is completed.  When a dwelling is beyond the scope of the program due to major structural deficiencies in the dwelling. Examples would be dwellings requiring a new roof or foundation repair or where lead exposure cannot be mitigated with safe work practices.  When a dwelling has severe mold or moisture problems (such as pooling in the crawlspace or standing water in the basement) so severe they cannot be resolved within program limits.  When a mobile home has a heating system other than a heating system manufactured for mobile homes or a sealed combustion high efficiency furnace with modifications per manufacturer’s instructions and installed properly to include outside air for combustion.  When a mobile home has a fireplace or heating stove drawing combustion air from inside the dwelling.  When a client moves or dies while weatherization services are being provided. (Weatherization services may be completed if the majority of work is done prior to the client moving/dying.)  When clients, or other occupants in a dwelling, are uncooperative, threatening or verbally abusive.