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Champlain
Valley Weatherization Service |
Information for Rental Property Owners
A program division of the Champlain Valley Office of Economic Opportunity, Inc., which assists the low-income community with dozens of programs with a common goal of promoting justice, equity, and economic independence.
CVWS -- Weatherization Assistance Program for Addison, Chittenden, Franklin and Grand Isle Counties
Information for Rental Property Owners About Champlain Valley Weatherization Service (CVWS)
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...Opportunity IS Knocking...
The Weatherization Assistance Program helps low-income renters and homeowners lower their fuel bills. If your tenants qualify based on income, we can make energy- efficiency improvements at no cost to you. You can make your property safer, more comfortable, more efficient, and last longer with less maintenance, with our whole- building approach.
Why Do It?
If you pay the utilities, efficiency benefits you directly. We often save 15% to 30% or more on fuel bills. Even if you don't pay the utilities yourself, there are important benefits for you:
* reduce liability with a complete heating system inspection
* end complaint calls for frozen pipes and comfort problems
* cut ice dams, rot, paint failure, and moisture problems
* lower turnover and tenant arrears with more affordable bills
Join our technician on the site visit to your property to learn more!
What's Weatherization??
The Weatherization Assistance Program began in the 1970s to help low-income households cope with dramatically rising fuel prices. Fuel prices are lower now, but low-income households still spend a high proportion of their income on energy bills.
In the last ten years, the Program has become the nation's leading residential energy program. Services focus on long-term improvements to insulation, ventilation and heating systems. Studies show success: this is one government program that saves society more than it costs to provide services.
Today, the Program uses advanced diagnostic techniques and equipment to pinpoint the most important improvements. Properties treated by the Program are reliably safer, healthier, more comfortable, in better structural condition and more energy-efficient than they were prior to work.
Technicians trained in this Program have become recognized industry professionals. They have helped builders, heating contractors, architects, and others understand the interactions between components that affect a building's overall performance.
In addition to the Weatherization Program, Champlain Valley Weatherization Service coordinates services with utilities and other housing programs. We also offer fee-based services to the general public.
How it Works
First, we must qualify your tenants and get your permission to proceed. We then visit the building, look for any health-&-safety or repair problems, and develop a proposal with cost and savings estimates. We meet with you to discuss our findings and options before work is started (unless a life-threatening condition is found). When you approve, we get the work done.
Your Role
The Weatherization Program pays for the analysis and a big share of the costs of the work. Of course, there are some requirements of the owner:
Rent stabilization. This helps ensure that your tenants, who qualified for Program services, continue to receive the benefits. Participation in the project. If you pay for heat, you benefit directly from our work, and you must share in the costs. Also if some households in the building are not qualified, we cannot pay any costs for them.
What We DON'T Do
Our focus is on long-term energy improvements, primarily the insulation, ventilation, and heating systems. Major rehab work is beyond the scope of the Program. We cannot pay for major health-&-safety, repair, or other non-energy-related improvements, for example, structural or cosmetic work, or major heating, electrical or plumbing work. Also, we cannot provide emergency services.
How to Obtain Services
If none of your tenants is on our waiting list, the first step is asking them to apply.We need at least 50% of a building's units to qualify.
Our goal is to bring you a great service at an irresistible price!
Let us help you Tune Up your rental property
How To Contact Champlain Valley Weatherization Service
Champlain Valley Office of Economic Opportunity
