Frequently Asked Questions

The Home Performance program is designed to give you an easy pathway to an energy efficient home. A Home Performance Energy Advisor will visit your home to perform an energy assessment at no cost to identify and score key areas of your home based on a 0-10 energy efficiency scale.

A score of 10 means you’ve reached max efficiency! Scores are combined into a Home Performance Report and if needed, upgrade recommendations are incorporated to increase your home’s energy efficiency until a max score of 10 is achieved.

The Home Performance Program is available to single-family homeowners served by Appalachian Power West Virginia. All owner occupied, single-family residential detached home customers, including mobile homes and duplexes, or single-family non-owner occupied residential detached homes where the electrical service is in the occupant’s name and with a signed agreement to participate from the owner. Town homes, apartments and commercial customers are not eligible. Homes that are not heated with electricity can receive a Home Energy Assessment (HEA), but they do not qualify for a rebate if additional measures are installed.

The score is a visible symbol and reward for the progress made. This is regardless of whether the homeowner’s individual path to a score of 10 happens quickly or over a period of time.

A home energy assessment can help you understand how much energy your home uses and evaluate what steps you can take to improve efficiency. A professionally trained energy advisor will come to your home and gather information on the current condition of the home, air conditioning and heating systems, appliances and how you use energy in the home. All information will be analyzed and presented to you at the time of the assessment.

An Appalachian Power-certified Home Performance Energy Advisor can provide you with valuable information on how your home performs when it comes to energy savings. You might qualify for rebates if you choose to perform upgrades with a contractor within our network and your home is heated with electricity.

Yes. As an example, heating and cooling can make up approximately 40% of your electric bill. For every air or duct leak you seal, you keep the warm or cold air produced inside your home from leaking to the outside, saving you money in heating and cooling bills and improving your comfort level. An HEA helps identify these types of issues and other areas of your home where you are wasting energy.

Customers can sign up here or by calling our call center at 888-261-4567 and speaking with a customer service representative.

The Home Performance Energy Advisor will review the history of your home, such as age, construction type, size, etc. If you are unsure, the advisor can help determine this information. 

The energy advisor will conduct a visual assessment which may include going into the attic and examining dark corners of your roof and basement carefully. 

The advisor will use the buildup of moisture as a measuring stick — if there’s condensation on the inside of your house, chances are you’ve got an energy leak. 

The advisor also will check your insulation, which may reveal weaknesses in the barrier and, in some cases, a lack of insulation altogether. An inspection of your heating system and stoves will be performed to determine whether duct cleaning or tune-ups are needed. 

Throughout most of this time you will be very much involved and are encouraged to accompany the advisor as your home is inspected from top to bottom. This allows you to bring problems to the attention of the advisor that you may have forgot to mention and allows him or her to point out things as we go. 

Following the thorough walk-through, the advisor will sit down with you and review the findings. You will receive a Home Performance Report which will illustrate approximately how much you spend on each energy-use source in your home. If it runs on electricity, we will determine what it costs you based on your personal usage, not just an average. 

The advisor will also review with you the amount of heating fuel you use. Once the Home Energy Assessment (HEA) is complete, you will have a greater understanding of how energy is used in your home. Most importantly, you will have recommendations on how to improve the efficiency of your home and any rebates for which you may qualify.

No. The Home Energy Assessment, along with the instant savings measures, are free of charge to Appalachian Power customers.

Yes, the Home Performance Energy Advisor will complete the installation of the energy saving measures the same day during an in-home assessment. Recommendations for more extensive follow-up energy conservation measures will be scheduled by you with an approved Appalachian Power contractor.

There are 10 areas of your home the Home Performance Energy Advisor will assess, including attic insulation, duct systems, air sealing, wall insulation, lighting, heating and cooling systems, appliances and electronics, water heating, refrigerator and windows and doors.

Appalachian Power wants to make you aware of how much energy is being wasted in your home, and what you can do to reduce your energy consumption.

A Home Energy Assessment (HEA) takes stock of the energy consumption in your home. It’s one of the first steps you can take to understand your home’s energy usage, airflow and the functionality and efficiency of your heating and cooling systems. The Home Performance Energy Advisor will also take photos of the key areas of your home to document any needed energy improvements.

The Home Performance Energy Advisor will need access to every room in the home excluding closets (unless there is a hole in the closet wall that is allowing outside air to infiltrate the interior of the home), the exterior of the home, the attic, and the basement and/or crawlspace. The advisor will also take photos of the key areas of your home to document any needed energy improvements.

The homeowner will need to relocate items that may prohibit access to the areas listed above. We also ask that all pets are restrained for their safety, as well as the safety of the Home Performance Energy Advisor.

The Home Energy Assessment should take between one and a half to two hours for the average home.

Appalachian Power has qualified Home Performance Energy Advisors to conduct Home Energy Assessments (HEA) at no charge to the customer. The Home Performance Energy Advisor will conduct the HEA and perform the installation of appropriate energy efficiency measures at no charge. Each Home Performance Energy Advisor carries an Appalachian Power identification badge.

Yes, but an agreement to participate must be signed by you and whoever you choose to be present at the time of the Home Energy Assessment. This agreement must be available at the time of visit.

The Home Performance Energy Advisors are background checked certified home inspectors, with an Appalachian Power identification badge.

The Home Performance Report is a part of the Home Energy Assessment (HEA) and defines a clear path for the individual homeowner to reach a score of 10. The report includes photos of the areas evaluated and a customized list of what to do to make an individual home as energy efficient as possible.

The Home Performance Energy Advisor will review the report with you immediately after the in-home Home Energy Assessment (HEA) is completed and you will receive a copy for your files. In the unlikely event the Home Performance Report cannot be reviewed the day of the HEA, the Home Performance Energy Advisor will contact and review the report with you within five business days.

The report will provide information on additional energy improvements that can be made and will be left with you following the HEA and improvements.

The Home Performance customer portal is a secure program website that serves as a point of entry for program participation, data collection and reporting. Click here to access the portal.

Yes. The Home Performance Energy Advisor will review the results of the Home Performance Report at the end of the assessment. At that point, all data will be available to the homeowner on the Home Performance customer portal or available to be mailed or emailed upon request.

Energy upgrades can be made at any time over the life of the program. The Home Performance Program was designed to allow for continuous improvement on the homeowner’s path to a Home Performance of 10, whether that happens quickly or over a period of time.

The rebate is paid directly to the customer, after it has been submitted and managed by the contractor.

Only an approved contractor can complete an online application for a Home Performance rebate.

Homeowners can only receive one rebate per qualifying energy improvement throughout their path to achieve a score of 10.

The contractor must submit the rebate form within 45 days of completing energy-saving improvements. The rebate must be inspected by a Home Performance Energy Advisor within 90 days from the date of installation.

Yes, as long as the homes are single-family homes and both the landlord and tenant sign the Agreement to Participate for every home. Please note, you will need a separate login and password for each electric account.

No, self-installed work is not eligible for rebate in the Home Performance Program.

Depending on the home, improvements may include sealing gaps, cracks and other leaks that let outside air into your home. Recommendations for energy saving work may include adding attic insulation and sealing and insulating ductwork that runs through the attic or crawlspace. Improvements may also include repairing or replacing old or poorly functioning heating systems and water heaters.

The Home Performance Program requires the work be completed by an approved member of the Appalachian Power Quality Contractor Network (QCN) in order to qualify for any potential rebates. Click here to find an approved contractor.

In order to qualify for the Home Performance Program, you must be an individually metered residential customer of Appalachian Power with an active account in West Virginia.

At this time, the Home Performance Program is open to residential customers only. 

Yes. Participation is defined by the homeowner and property address. If the new homeowner would like to participate in Home Performance, he or she can click here or call the contact center at 1-888-261-4567 for full program details and restrictions.

Yes, a homeowner can receive rebates for upgrades not recommended on the report. However, these upgrades only qualify if they are on the chart below, and they must be completed by an approved contractor.

Appalachian Power West Virginia Home Performance Program Customer Rebates

The Low-Income Weatherization Program provides weatherization products and services to residential customers in need to help reduce their energy bills and improve their homes’ comfort. Appalachian Power provides funding for this program to help supplement the state and federal income qualified weatherization programs.

To determine if you qualify for the West Virginia energy assistance program, contact a local community action agency in your county of residence.  You can call 304-558-2234 or 211, visit the West Virginia Development Office, or fill out a benefit application. 

When you apply for an energy assistance program through an agency, you are also applying for this program. Be sure to let the intake worker know you’d also like to participate in the weatherization program.

Local community action agency weatherization offices throughout the state take applications for weatherization assistance and determine whether or not a dwelling unit and its residents are income eligible for weatherization assistance. 

To apply, call or visit your local Community Action Agency that serves the county where you reside. To find your local community action agency, visit the office and click on the "Weatherization" tab, or call 1-304-558-2234. You may also call 211.

Application form usually takes about 20 minutes.

You must have written documented proof of all gross income for the year prior to application.

The agency also asks a small number of questions about your household, such as the number of people living in the home, date of construction, utility providers and account numbers, etc.

If you are eligible, your weatherization agency puts you on a waiting list for additional contact and further energy estimation/audit assessments, and a waitlist for actual services. Please note, if you rent, you must first get permission from your landlord to have weatherization performed.

CHANGE, Inc.

Judy Raveaux, CEO
David Ruhl, Weatherization Coordinator
3136 West St, Weirton, WV 26062
(304) 797-7733
(Marshall, Ohio)

Coalfield Community Action Partnership, Inc.

Tim Salmons, Executive Director
Joey Hayes, Weatherization Coordinator
P.O. Box 1406, Williamson, WV 25661
(800) 234-1706
(Boone, Clay, Kanawha, Mingo)

Community Action of Southeastern WV (CASE WV)

Mary Turner, Executive Director
Kim Bourne, Weatherization Coordinator (304) 809-3053
355 Bluefield Ave, Bluefield WV 24701
Tammy Byers (304) 809-3055
Toll Free (866) 556-0780
(Mercer, Monroe, Raleigh, Summers)

MountainHeart Community Services, Inc.

Dreama Padgett, Executive Director
Gerald Brown, Weatherization Coordinator
P.O. Box 1509, Oceana, WV 24870
(304) 682-8271
(Fayette, Wyoming)

Nicholas Community Action Partnership, Inc.

Angie Williams, Executive Director
Cindy Foster, Weatherization Coordinator
1205 Broad St, Summersville, WV 26651
(304) 872-8297
(Nicholas)

PRIDE Community Services, Inc.

Lisha Whitt, Executive Director
Steve Gilman, Deputy Director
Kevin Edwards, Weatherization Coordinator
P.O. Box 1346, Logan, WV 25601
(304) 752-6868
(Logan, McDowell)

Southwestern Community Action Council, Inc.

Dwight Coburn, CEO
Connie Sherrill-Drake, Weatherization Coordinator
540 5th Ave, Huntington, WV 25701
(304) 781-0651
(Cabell, Lincoln, Mason, Putnam, Wayne)

Appalachian Power wants to help increase adoption of electric vehicles in the West Virginia service territory. Electric vehicles can provide cost savings, convenience, and sustainability.

From the environmental impact to the savings on fuel, tax and maintenance costs, electric vehicles could help you save money.

As more and more electric vehicles are being produced in the U.S., vehicle costs are dropping and there are many benefits for drivers making the switch. From the environmental impact to the savings on fuel, tax and maintenance costs, electric vehicles could help you save money. A 2018 study from the University of Michigan's Transportation Research Institute found that electric vehicles cost less than half as much to operate as gas-powered cars. The average cost to operate an electric vehicle is $485 per year, while the average for a gas-powered vehicle is $1,117.

Appalachian Power wants to promote beneficial electrification opportunities by offering customers financial incentives to switch from less efficient, non-regulated heating fuel sources (propane, wood, coal, etc.) to high-efficiency electric heat pumps.

The efficiency of electric-powered appliances has increased dramatically in recent years. Improvements in electric heat pump technology means these appliances can heat space and water at efficiencies between 200 and 300%, compared with 67% for a typical gas water heater. Additionally, while older heat pumps could not operate effectively below 40 degrees Fahrenheit, newer systems are more effective at lower temperatures, increasing their viability in colder climates.

Benefits of electric heat pumps include:

• • Lower running costs. Electric heat pumps are cheaper to run than systems based on combustion. The more energy efficient the systems are, the greater long-term savings on energy.
• • Less maintenance. Electric heat pumps require less maintenance than combustion heating systems. Once a year, some certain details of the system have to be checked, which could be easily accomplished by yourself. A professional installer, on the other hand, would be required only every three to five years. 
  • Better safety. Electric heat pumps are safer than combustion-based heating systems. They are safe to operate and since they do not need to burn fuel to generate heat, they come with fewer safety concerns compared to their counterparts.
• • Reduces carbon emissions. The electric heat pump system reduces your carbon emissions, and it has an efficient conversion rate of energy to heat. This means, rather than directly converting electrical energy into heat with electric resistance heating or converting heat from fossil fuels through combustion, electric heat pumps redistribute heat that is already present in the outside environment.
• • Provides cooling. During the warm periods, electric heat pumps are able to reverse the heating process and cool your home, just like an air conditioner would. 
• • Long lifespan. The average lifespan of an electric heat pump is around 15 – 20 years, where its combustible counterparts last around 12 – 15 years. Despite these numbers, electric heat pumps are exceptionally reliable and steady source of heat.

The Low-Income Multifamily Program reduces energy consumption by educating residential customers about the energy — and money — saving benefits associated with energy efficiency in the home. The program targets opportunities that are proven to save energy, reduce consumption and protect the health and safety of occupants while helping to lower their electric bills.

A multifamily home is any residential property that contains more than one housing unit, such as a duplex, a townhome, or an apartment complex.

The main difference between single family and multifamily homes is the number of residences they contain. Single-family homes have just one dwelling unit, whereas multifamily properties have multiple units. 

You may hear multifamily homes called duplexes, triplexes, or quadplexes, which refers to the number of units they contain. Each unit within a multifamily home has its own kitchen, bathroom, utility meter, address, and entrance. This enables the families that reside there to live separately, even though they share common walls and a roof. 

Although multifamily homes have several units, one person usually owns the entire property.

A minimum of 66% (50% for any buildings under 5 units) of the dwelling units in the building are occupied by a family unit whose annual gross household income from all sources does not exceed 200% of OMB poverty guidelines per household family size. Click here to view income limits by size of family unit. Only property owners, not individuals, can apply for the program.

Building on a long-standing tradition of environmental, economic, and social responsibility, Community Housing Partners (CHP) Energy Solutions is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that works with private and public partners to develop and preserve award-winning homes and neighborhoods. Together with partners, they revitalize communities, foster stability for residents and promote a healthier planet for future generations.

CHP delivers a wide range of services, including real estate development, construction, energy services and training, asset management, property management, realty and homeownership and comprehensive resident services.

Community Housing Partners (CHP) serves as Appalachian Power’s implementation vendor and primary contractor for their Virginia income-qualifying weatherization programs. CHP and Appalachian Power’s partnership took shape in 2014 while piloting a multifamily weatherization project in Pearisburg, VA. In 2015, CHP began implementing Appalachian Power’s Virginia Low-Income Single-Family Weatherization Program, coordinating with 11 weatherization providers operating in Appalachian Power’s Virginia service territory which has continued to this date. Using the same effective strategy, in 2021, CHP began implementing Appalachian Power’s Virginia Low-Income Multifamily Weatherization Program.

Community Housing Partners will respond to your survey submission within a few weeks.

A minimum of 66% (50% for any buildings under 5 units) of the dwelling units in the building are occupied by a family unit whose annual gross household income from all sources does not exceed 200% of OMB poverty guidelines per household family size.

You can view the income limits by size of family unit here. 

Eligible upgrades may include energy efficient lighting, electric water heating measures, HVAC repair, replacement and/or maintenance, insulation and air sealing and health and safety upgrades.

Eligible upgrades may include HVAC repair, replacement and/or maintenance should it be determined necessary during the inspection and audit.

The peak reduction program is a demand response program that enables Appalachian Power to cycle the compressor on/off within 15 -minute intervals during peak summer days when the forecast calls for high load on the power grid.

It only happens in the summer on days we expect very high load on the power grid, which occurs May through September. Events typically occur between the hours of 3 and 6 p.m. and never occur on holidays or weekends.

Simply call 888-261-4567 and request for the device to be removed. Once the new unit is installed, we will come back and place it on the new system.

You will receive up to $40 per year ($8 for each month you are enrolled during the months of May through September) for each central cooling unit participating in the program. A check for the months of participation will be mailed to the customer at the end of each October after the summer cooling season ends. You may contact 888-261-4567 with any questions.

Please allow up to eight (8) weeks for rebate processing. If you have not received your rebate in that time frame, please call 1-888-261-4567.

You can view all available rebates by visiting our rebates page.

You can submit a rebate most quickly by clicking here. You also can submit a rebate application by mail — simply download and print the appropriate form from here or visit a participating local retailer to obtain a rebate tear sheet.

Unfortunately, the program guidelines state that purchases must be between 01/01/2022 and 12/31/2023 and rebates submitted within 45 days of purchase or by January 15th of the following year, whichever comes first.

Yes. Just be sure to fill out the rebate form in its entirety, including the account number and all model information such as number and purchase date.