The City of Chicago recently unveiled the Home Energy Efficiency Training (HEET) program. This program, run by the Department of Environment and Greencorps Chicago works to help families save on winter heating bills by making their homes more energy efficient.

The program works as follows:  

Step I

Homeowners will be contacted to make an appointment with an Energy Auditor.  The audit will take 1 ½ to 2 hours.  The auditor will contact you on the phone when they are on their way to your home with an approximate arrival time. (Because audit times vary based on individual home size, the auditors may arrive 30 minutes early or possibly 30 minutes later than the scheduled appointment time.)  

The Audit

1. The auditor will run a blower-door test to identify air leaks, which are the largest source of heat loss in a home.

2. An inspection of the home will be conducted to assess the condition of: heating and air conditioning systems, hot water heater, refrigerator, dishwasher and attic insulation levels.  Although these items are outside of the scope of this program, future programs may offer assistance that will address these items.

3. If appropriate, a work order will be prepared for the weatherization crew.  The work order will be primarily focused on sealing the air leaks and in some cases may address conductive heat loss and other efficiency improvements.  A list of potential services will be provided if appropriate.

Please note this program does not include efficiency upgrades for windows, doors, furnace and air conditioning, refrigerator or any other mechanical system or appliance.

Step II

Homeowners will be contacted again to schedule the weatherization crew.  The time required to complete weatherization work will be different for each home, but the homeowner should expect to schedule about 4 hours.  Work will normally take 2 to 3 hours.

1. The Weatherization crew will conduct their work based exclusively on work orders prepared by the initial audit.
2. The crew will monitor the effects of air sealing activities using a blower door test.
3. Crews will provide all materials and equipment necessary to complete all work. 
4. In all cases for initial audit and weatherization work, an adult 18 years or older must be present while crews are at your home.

Eligibility

Applicants must:

• Live in a single family or 2-4 multi-unit home in the City of Chicago
• Have a maximum income (based on number in household) of:

# in Household     Annual Income

          1                    $ 42,100           2                    $ 48,100           3                    $ 54,100           4                    $ 60,100           5                    $ 64,950           6                    $ 69,750           7                    $ 74,550           8                    $ 79,350

To Apply

A program application must be completed to be considered for the HEET Program.

Applications will be accepted in 3 ways:

1.Visit the Center for Green Technology for an application at 445 N Sacramento Blvd; Chicago, IL 60612 

2.  Request a form be mailed or emailed to you by calling: 1-773-234-7711

3. E-mail to request a form:  HEET@ENERGYSAVER1.com

Acceptance into the weatherization program will be based on the initial audit visit and is at the discretion of Greencorps Chicago.

Once the house is approved, a work day with a weatherization crew will be scheduled.  The work is performed Tuesdays through Fridays between 8:30 am and 4:30 pm.

If you have any questions pleases email: Bob@EnergySaver1.com