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Iowa LIHEAP Policy and Procedures Manual 15.00 Crisis Assistance

Effective 09/01/2023

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training), only in those cases where the replacement is not done in conjunction with the Weatherization Assistance Program. If an inspection by the city or other jurisdiction is required, the CAA is not required to perform an additional inspection. Supporting documentation of the city/jurisdiction inspection must be in the file. The inspection fee is separate from the cost of the unit and the labor to install it and should not be considered in the expenditure limit.

Should the estimated cost of a heating unit exceed the expenditure limit, the CAA must request a waiver from the state LIHEAP office prior to the work being done. To request an exception, complete the Heating Unit Expenditure Limit Waiver Request form, which is maintained on the Members Only page of https://humanrights.iowa.gov/dcaa, and submit it to the DCAA for review.

All work paid from LIHEAP ECIP funds must comply with Appendix H - Heating System Installation Standards. A Manual J sizing report is not required for ECIP-only heating system replacements.

When a heating unit is repaired, no inspection is required by the agency; however, a follow-up phone call to the customer to ensure the unit is working must be made and documented for the file. If a CAA deems it necessary to inspect a repair, contact the state LIHEAP office for further guidance.

When a heating unit is replaced it must be inspected by an agency Weatherization Auditor, HVAC Technician, QCI inspector, or a Weatherization Program staff person who has completed Weatherization-provided Furnace or Combustion Health & Safety training. An ECIP Heating System Replacement Inspection Sheet is to be completed by the person inspecting the work and maintained in the LIHEAP customer file. The inspection sheet is maintained on the Members Only page of https://humanrights.iowa.gov/dcaa.

Improperly vented heating systems can be re-vented using crisis funds, if a repair or replacement is being done.

Units supplying in-floor radiant heat (boilers or water heaters with a pump) can be repaired/replaced; however, the distribution system (pipes under the floor) cannot be addressed with ECIP funds. If no other funds are available to address the distribution system, crisis assistance cannot be provided. Contact the state LIHEAP office when encountering in-floor radiant heat.

Replacement boilers are to be energy efficient with a minimum 84 AFUE. Hot water boilers must be induced draft.

Baseboard heaters are eligible for repair/replacement within expenditure limits. A household without working baseboard heat, but using portable space heaters, is still eligible for repair/replacement because use of portable space heaters is a temporary solution.

Permanent space heaters (not portable units) are eligible for repair/replacement, within expenditure limits.

An A-Coil that leaks can cause damage to a furnace. The cost of the furnace repair/replacement may include the cost of an A-coil repair/replacement. When replacing a furnace where an A-coil replacement is not needed, the A-coil is to be cleaned as it is accessible during a furnace replacement and may avert a crisis.

Situations where the A-coil may need to be removed are: ● When an A-coil is leaking (a leaking A-coil may drip on the new furnace and cause damage) ● If the entire system needs to be reconfigured