All of DC · Free service
Emergency Mechanical Systems Replacement (EMS)
Run by DC Department of Energy & Environment (DOEE)
Free emergency repair or replacement of a broken furnace or boiler, central AC, water heater or chimney liner for DC households on LIHEAP, TANF, Section 8 or SSI.
Amounts
How much you get
DOEE's partner nonprofit pays the contractor directly; the household pays nothing.
Eligibility
Do I qualify?
You need to meet all 4 of these.
Your home is in DC.
The household receives LIHEAP, TANF, a Section 8 Housing Voucher, or SSI.
What to doApply for LIHEAP at the same time (the EMS application asks for a signed LIHEAP application).
A house or building with 4 units or less.
The home isn't in foreclosure, and the system has an emergency that needs repair or replacement within days.
Equipment
What equipment counts
Applying
How to apply
Follow these steps.
- Apply online, by email or by mail with the EMS-LRP-WAP application.
- DOEE calls within one business day.
- A nonprofit inspects the broken system and arranges the repair or replacement.
Signed EMS-LRP-WAP application
Signed LIHEAP application
Forms and instructions, including for applying by mailWeatherization Assistance Program (WAP) · DOEE EMS-LRP-WAP Application FY27
Questions about applying202-299-3316
Stacking
Use it with
Your address
Next steps
Check that it covers your address. Then, if you want, ask for a contractor quote.
Is it available at your address?
Before anything else
Your quote request is in If a contractor we work with serves your ZIP, they can contact you. We take one request per person; contact us to change it.
Get an email if this program changes
We'll write if its amount, status or deadline changes. Nothing else.
FAQ
Questions
How much does Emergency Mechanical Systems Replacement (EMS) pay?
Work done at no cost. DOEE's partner nonprofit pays the contractor directly; the household pays nothing.
Is it still available?
Yes. It was open when we last checked, on October 20, 2026.
Plain words
Words used on this page
References
Sources
This page is built from these official pages, run by the program itself.
When one of these pages changes, we re-check this page against it.
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