Home Energy Loan Program (HELP)

May 22, 2024

Summary

Loan Option Through the HELP program, a homeowner can obtain a five year loan to improve the energy efficiency of their existing home. “HELP loans function as standard unsecured underwritten residential loans. The lender makes and services HELP energy efficiency improvement loans of up to a maximum of $12,000.00 to participants who go through the normal underwriting process. Qualifying loan improvement measures are provided on a "Prescriptive List of Improvements", from which the borrower selects approved items. The LDNR loans one half (½) of the loan amount, through the lender to the borrower, for up to a maximum of $6,000.00 at 2% interest, regardless of what the lenders market interest rate may be at the time of the loan. This blended rate (½ the loaned amount @ 2% plus ½ the loaned amount @ market rate) provides a lower overall interest rate than what the borrower could obtain in the market as an incentive for implementing energy efficiency improvement measures.” DNR's maximum participation for half of the loan amount is $6,000.

Homeowners must utilize a lending institution participating in the program. The number of lenders participating is limited. Each participating lender sets its own maximum loan amount, along with the interest rate that is charged to the homeowner. Each participating lender also services the loan for DNR.

Program Overview

Implementing Sector: State
Category: Financial Incentive
State: Louisiana
Incentive Type: Loan Program
Web Site: http://dnr.louisiana.gov/index.cfm?md=pagebuilder&tmp=home&pid=40&pnid=103&nid=105
Administrator: Louisiana Department of Natural Resources
Start Date:
Eligible Renewable/Other Technologies:
  • Solar Water Heat
  • Solar Space Heat
  • Solar Photovoltaics
  • Geothermal Heat Pumps
  • Clothes Washers
  • Dishwasher
  • Refrigerators/Freezers
  • Lighting
  • Chillers
  • Furnaces
  • Boilers
  • Heat pumps
  • Air conditioners
  • Programmable Thermostats
  • Building Insulation
  • Windows
  • Custom/Others pending approval
Maximum Loan: $6,000 from LA DNR
Loan Term: 5-year maximum term
Interest Rate: 2%

Incentives

This program has 1 incentives
Technologies: Solar Water Heat, Solar Space Heat, Solar Photovoltaics, Geothermal Heat Pumps
Sectors: Residential
Parameters: The incentive has a minimum of $6000.00, The incentive has a minimum of 5.00 Years

Contact

Name: Program Coordinator
Organization: Louisiana Department of Natural Resources
Address: 617 N. 3rd Street
Baton Rouge LA 70804-4156
Phone: (122) 534-2449

This information is sourced from DSIRE; the most comprehensive source of information on incentives and policies that support renewables and energy efficiency in the United States. Established in 1995, DSIRE is operated by the N.C. Clean Energy Technology Center at N.C. State University.