South Carolina Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP)

The Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP) provides home weatherization assistance to improve the quality of life for low-income families, particularly for the elderly, people with disabilities and children by improving the energy efficiency of their homes while ensuring their health and safety. The Weatherization Assistance Program for each of the state's 46 counties is coordinated through ten community action agencies.

Program Description

The mission of the South Carolina Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP) is to reduce energy costs for low-income families, particularly for the elderly, people with disabilities, and households with children age 17 and under, by improving the energy efficiency of their homes while ensuring their health and safety.”

Trained inspectors and crews with state-of-the-art equipment aim to reduce the cost of energy for low-income families. Households at or below 200 percent of the federal poverty level that have not received weatherization assistance  after September 30, 1994, are eligible for weatherization services. If you have received weatherization services after September 30, 1994, the unit is not eligible for additional weatherization services. Dwellings weatherized on or before September 30, 1994, are eligible to be re-weatherized.

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How to Apply

For more information about WAP, please contact the Aiken/Barnwell Counties Community Action Agency main office at 803-648-6836.

You can also download the application here.

Authorized Repairs

WAP is authorized to conduct the following repairs:
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• Educate clients in safety and energy efficiency
• Evaluate single family dwellings and mobile homes for safety and energy efficiency
• Insulate homes as needed
• Make minor repairs to homes for health and safety reasons (windows, doors, ceilings, roofs, ventilation, etc.)
• Install smoke and carbon monoxide detectors
• Test for gas leaks, carbon monoxide and other health and safety issues
• Check combustible appliances such as stoves, furnaces and water heaters
• Use the latest technological equipment to determine cost effective methods to make customers’ homes safer and energy efficient

Unauthorized Repairs

WAP is NOT authorized to conduct the following repairs:
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• Rehabilitate homes
• Just replace doors
• Just replace windows
• Just replace heating/cooling units
• Make major home repairs such as new roofs, new floors, plumbing, electric work
• Build additions
• Lead based paint and asbestos abatement

Note: Minor repairs are secondary measures and are not done unless regular weatherization work is needed. The Weatherization Program is an Energy Conservation Program which emphasizes the client’s health and safety.

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Designated Service Areas

• Aiken
• Allendale
• Bamberg
• Barnwell
• Calhoun​

• Greenville
• Lexington
• Orangeburg
• Richland

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Required Documents

• Original Social Security cards for all household occupants
• Monthly income verification for all household occupants 17 years or older
• Most recent energy bill or print out from utility company
• Proof of ownership or landlord agreement of property to be weatherized

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In order to qualify, you must have an annual household income (before taxes) that is below the following amounts:

​For households with more than eight people, add $8,640 per additional person. Always check with the appropriate managing agency to ensure the most accurate guidelines.

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Weatherization Tips

• Install storm windows, or add caulking or sealant to existing windows to reduce the infiltration of cold air in the winter and warm air in the summer
• Close drapes or blinds and lock windows to ensure a tight seal
• Weatherstrip the perimeter of exterior doors
• Set water heater to 120 degrees and add an insulation blanket to the unit
• Install Compact Florescent Light (CFL) bulbs​

• Remove furniture and carpeting from heater vents to ensure proper circulation
• Add insulation to water pipes
• Install low flow shower heads and faucet aerators
• Use conservation showerheads to eliminate hot water waste
• Install dampers in chimneys
• Replace filters in heating and cooling systems on a monthly basis