FAQ

DIY Insulation and Air Sealing Frequently Asked Questions and Common Mistakes

Some important items are commonly missed in FOCUS ON ENERGY® incentive application for DIY attic insulation and air sealing. Here are some tips to help you complete your project safely and receive the  incentive:

Heat Sources (Chimney)

Recessed lights, metal flue pipes (furnaces, boilers, water heaters and dryer vents), masonry chimneys, cooking stove/range hood exhaust vents and exhaust fans with heat lamps/electric heaters all have the potential to become hot and start a fire if they make contact with certain materials. For instructions on the proper way to safely insulate heat sources, refer to our Installation Guide.

Building codes usually require 3 inches of clearance from metal flues and masonry chimneys to any combustible material including insulation. Not having the required non-combustible material and/or clearance is a safety hazard for you and may create problems when selling or insuring your home.

Air Sealing

In the winter, air leaking from the home brings heat and moisture into the attic. Most insulation won’t stop leaks and the air can create serious comfort and durability issues, like ice dams. Be sure to always air seal first.

Fan Duct Work

Bathroom and kitchen exhaust fans are important for removing moisture and indoor air contaminants out of the home, especially once proper air sealing is completed. Unfortunately, excessive or twisted ductwork can prevent fans from proper operation. When installing an exhaust fan:

• Make sure the fan is securely connected and the duct is as short and straight as possible.
  • Duct work should be mechanically fastened along its length and to both the fan and the exterior exhaust port.
  • If you must curve your duct work, be sure curves are gentle and not sharp zigzags.
• Use rigid metal duct whenever possible.
• Insulate the duct to at least R8.
• Make sure the fan is vented outside the home, and not into the attic or out to the eave, the overhanging area of the outer edge of your home.

Does Focus offer rebates on water heaters purchased from contractors?

Focus has partnered with participating Trade Ally contractors to provide instant discounts on electric heat pump water heaters starting at $300 and instant discounts on natural gas tankless water heaters starting at $120. Click here for more information.

I Do Not Have A Back-Up For My Geothermal System; Do I Qualify For The Incentive?

Customers with access to natural gas must have a their system backed up by natural gas.  Customers without access to natural gas may choose to have a back-up, but it is not required.

I Have Access To Natural Gas But I Am Not Using A Back-Up; Do I Qualify For The Incentive?

No. Customers with access to natural gas must use a natural gas back-up. This back-up heat may include a furnace, boiler, or gas fireplace. The geothermal system cannot have any electric resistance heat, even if it is not connected/turned off at the breaker.

I Paid For My Furnace With A (Loan, Grant, Third-Party Bill-To). Am I Eligible For The Rewards?

Focus on Energy will not provide a Cash-Back Reward for equipment purchased via grant funding; grants are not repaid by the customer and Focus on Energy will not provide a reward that exceeds the total purchase price of equipment. In the case of grants, the purchase price is effectively zero.

Equipment purchased via funds received from a loan qualifies for a reward provided all other eligibility requirements are met. However, if a third party is invoiced, the applicant must provide proof of loan repayment terms. With loans, the customer is effectively paying for the equipment – just over a longer, defined period of time. An example of a loan includes Rural Development Grants. While labelled a grant, these are actually loans with a fixed interest rate at one percent that must be paid off over a 20 year term. In this example, the customer would provide proof of loan terms (must show loan provider and payee, payee must be customer on application).

I Was Told I Am Denied For IQ Incentives Because My Income Is Over The Limit. Why Is That?

Some common reasons your calculated income may be higher than you expected are listed below. For specific information regarding your Income Eligibility Application, please contact our office at 800.762.7077.

If you submitted using your 1040 Tax Form via the Express Route – when we review income on a 1040, we are looking for your total gross income, not your adjusted gross income that is shown in line 7b, total income, or line 8b, your adjusted gross income. To do that – we count all losses as zeros and any non-taxable income. For example: if you receive Social Security benefits, Pensions, or IRAs we will take the non-taxable income total listed in lines 4a, 4c or 5a and not the taxable income total listed in lines 4b, 4d or 5b.

If you submitted income documentation via the Non-Express Route we again are looking for your total gross income. When reviewing wages, we will count your gross wages, not your net wages after taxes.

Income-Eligible

To be eligible for higher rebates, residents must have a documented gross household income of less than 80 percent of the Aera Median Income (AMI) for their county and household size. To verify eligibility, use the Income Eligibility Household Limits calculator.

Income-Qualified (IQ) Incentive Eligibility Frequently Asked Questions

What sort of documentation do you need for the Direct option? 

For a complete list of eligible partnerships and documentation requested, refer to our Steamlined Income-Qualified Eligibilty list.

If I go the Direct route do I still need to fill out the Income Eligibility Application?

Yes, in order to confirm eligibility for Insulation and Air Sealing or Heating and Cooling offerings you must submit a completed Income Eligibility Application.

I am going the Non-Express route, how do I determine what income documentation to supply?

Please review the Income Eligibility Guidelines for types of documentation needed specific to income types. Have multiple income types? Use the Income Eligibility Screener to find the best way to apply and what documentation you need!

If you need further assistance please call 800.762.7077 to speak to one of our Income Specialists.

My income has recently changed, how can I submit for the income-qualified incentives?

Even if your income has changed you can still qualify using the Express route, it may still be easiest for your to apply that way. If your income has recently been reduced due to financial hardship the Non-Express route may help you qualify for additional incentives. Please call 800.762.7077 to speak to one of our Income Specialists to determine if you qualify using 1 month’s recent income.

Income-Qualified Streamlined Eligibility Documentation

We are rolling out a new method for verifying your income eligibility with FOCUS ON ENERGY®. If you currently are eligible for additional assistance through one of the below resources, you can verify your eligibility with Focus on Energy by submitting proof of your existing eligibility.

Eligible Resource Documentation:

• Wisconsin Home Energy Assistance Program (WHEAP)-Copy of award letter
• Medicaid-Copy of Award Letter
• Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP/FoodShare)-Screen shots from MyACCESS (access.wisconsin.gov/access/) or award letter
• Wisconsin Head Start-Copy of Award letter
• Lifeline Support for Affordable Communications (Lifeline)-Copy of Award letter, or screen shot of approval from lifelinesupport.org showing current enrollment
• Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations (FDPIR)-Award letter from Tribal Organization
• National School Lunch Program – Free (NSLP)-Award letter from your Child’s school showing eligible for Free lunch
• Housing Improvement Program (HIP)-Copy of award letter from Tribal Organization
• Housing Opportunities for Persons with AIDS-Copy of award letter from HOPWA or HUD
• Supplemental Security Income (SSI) (Not to be confused with any other type of Social Security) –
• Award letter or bank statements clearly showing SSI deposits
• Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP)-Copy of Award letter
  
  If you believe there is a resource that should be included here, please email us at homerewards@focusonenergy.com.

May My Trade Ally Use Subcontractors To Work On My Home Project?

Yes. A registered Trade Ally may subcontract all or a portion of their contracted work scope to any Trade Ally that has the requisite BPI certification(s) for the work being performed or to any contractor if the BPI accredited Trade Ally has the requisite BPI certification(s) and oversees the work being performed. The lead Trade Ally will be responsible for ensuring the work being performed qualifies under program requirements. You can learn more about program terms and requirements under Rebate and Incentive Details on the Focus on Energy website.

What Are Health And Safety Issues?

Health and safety issues are issues that are relate to potentially hazardous or unhealthy conditions present in the home. These are issues can be related to the presence of structural issues, potentially hazardous insulation materials, excess moisture causing mold, and/or combustion by-products.

When Will I Hear If I Am Eligible For IQ Incentives?

We process all Income Eligibility Applications within 3 business days of receiving them. Once your application has been reviewed, we will contact you by your preferred method of communication (phone or email) to inform you if your application has been approved, denied, or is incomplete.

If your application is incomplete, processing of responses takes additional time. Responses are processed in the order that they are received and may take up to 2 weeks for review.

Why Do I Have To Fix Health And Safety Issues Before Air Sealing Or Other Work Is Performed?

Health and safety issues can pose a risk to the health of the occupants. These issues can also have negative impacts on the indoor air quality and the durability of your home. Therefore, your Trade Ally may determine that it is appropriate to correct health and/or safety issues before proceeding with energy efficiency improvements.