Home Energy Loan Program (HELP)

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.