Iowa Low Income Assistance
As a partner in the Iowa community, Black Hills Energy sponsors three energy efficiency programs for low-income families.
To apply for these programs or to find out if you qualify for low-income energy assistance contact your local Community Action Agency.
| Carroll - Community Opportunities | 712-792-9266 |
| Cedar Rapids - Hawkeye Area CAP | 319-393-7811 |
| Decorah - Northeast Iowa Community Action | 563-382-8436 |
| Des Moines - Polk County Weatherization | 515-875-5518 |
| Dubuque - Operation New View | 563-556-5130 |
| Mason City - North Iowa Community Action | 641-423-8993 |
| Graettinger - Upper Des Moines Opportunity | 712-859-3885 |
| Harlan - West Central Development | 712-755-5135 |
| Waterloo - Operation Threshold | 319-291-2065 |
Weatherization Funding
Do you need additional funding to help make your home more energy efficient? If you qualify for federal low-income assistance, then you may also qualify for the Weatherization Program offered by Black Hills Energy and the Iowa Department of Human Rights. This program provides free funding for home improvements such as space and water heating equipment upgrades, insulation, low flow showerheads and faucet aerators - all designed to save you money and improve the comfort of your home.
Weatherization improvements which are covered by Black Hills Energy funding include:
- Insulation - floor, ceiling, and wall
- Band joist
- Water heating measures (pipe wrap, low-flow showerheads, and faucet aerators)
- Air infiltration measures
Energy Education
Make a habit out of being energy efficient and save money. Black Hills Energy will educate you on how to keep your energy budget under control. Partnered with the Iowa Department of Human Rights, Black Hills Energy provides free valuable energy efficiency education materials to customers who qualify for federal low-income assistance.
Affordable Homes, New Construction
Download 2012 Affordable Homes 
Partnering with non-profit organizations such as Habitat for Humanity, Community Housing Initiatives, and Community Action Corporations, Black Hills Energy wants to ensure that qualifying families receive energy-efficient homes that won't break the budget. Through the Affordable Homes Program, non-profit affiliates can receive a $1,500 rebate from Black Hills Energy. Plus, an additional $120 rebate will be provided toward the cost of an ENERGY STAR or qualified clothes washer and dishwasher for homes where high efficiency natural gas is used. So sign up now and save. In addition to donations, Black Hills Energy will provide education materials for the future homeowners to teach them energy efficient habits.
Non-profit affiliates can use one of the following methods to qualify for rebates under this program. All program homes must have natural gas space and water heating systems. Those systems must meet the minimum standards established for the other Black Hills Energy programs (>= 92% AFUE for furnaces and EF of 0.67 or higher for water heaters, depending on size). Program qualification can be verified by:
- Adherence to Black Hills Energy's recommended prescriptive standard and have a BOP2 inspection performed (see chart below).
- Homes can also obtain an ENERGY STAR-label based on home performance. Home performance is demonstrated through the ENERGY STAR v3.0 Home Energy Rating Systems (HERS)and you install the high-efficiency natural gas space and water heating, your home will qualify for the program and be eligible for rebate
| Feature | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Foundation Insulation (Basement) Basement Walls Band/Rim and Joist |
- >= R-10 continuous, R-13 cavity foundation >= R-19 |
| Slab Insulation | >= R-10, 4 ft depth |
| Floor Insulation (Above Unheated Space) | >= R-30 |
| Walls | >= R-20 or R-13 + 5 |
| Window Maximum Window Area |
- <= 15% of conditioned floor space ENERGY STAR qualified |
| Doors | >= R-5 |
| Ceiling | >= R-49 |
| Heating Equipment | >= 92% AFUE Furnace or 85% AFUE boiler |
| Thermostat | Pre-programmed 5-1-1, 5-2 or 7-day |
| Water Heating | - >= 0.67 EF or >= 0.84 CAE integrated space & water heater |
| Infiltration | <= 5 ACH50 based on Blower Door Test Recommended: Mechanical Ventilation if AC/hr. <0.31 |
| Duct Work Insulation Leakage |
- >= R-8 in Unconditioned Space Duct sealing as appropriate; All sheet metal joints, supply and returns should be sealed with duct mastic, aluminum foil tape or other approved sealant (goal is: <= 6% Leakage at 25 PASCAL'S) |
| Appliances Oven/Ranges Clothes Washers Dishwashers Clothes Dryers |
Recommended but not required: Gas Oven with Convection Energy Star qualified Models Energy Star qualified models Gas Dryer with Moisture Sensor |
1 When purchasing, look for a dryer with a moisture sensor in the drum that automatically shuts off the machine when clothes are dry to save as much as 15% of the energy used for timed drying. Also look for a dryer with a cool-down period that completes the drying process using cool air rather than heated air.
2 BOPs are a set of prescriptive requirements provided by the EPA that if adhered to, indicate the home will perform to the ENERGY STAR efficiency standards. Homes must be inspected to be labeled ENERGY STAR. To qualify for the Black Hills Energy program, homes must meet the equipment efficiency requirements as well as the BOP requirements.
Habitat for Humanity is a non-profit housing ministry dedicated to eliminating poverty housing and homelessness from the earth, and to making decent shelter a matter of conscience and action. Habitat uses donations of money, materials and volunteer labor - and with the "sweat equity" work of the future homeowner families (partner families) - builds simple, decent homes. Habitat sells the homes to the partner families at cost and also provides affordable, no-interest mortgages. The family's monthly mortgage payments, in combination with other donations, are used to build additional houses.
Partner families are selected by the local affiliates from applicant families on the basis of the family's level of need, their willingness to become partners with Habitat, and their ability to repay the no-interest loan.
We urge you to become involved with this organization. For more information or to contact your local Habitat for Humanity affiliate go to: habitat.org
