California Center for Sustainable Energy

Statewide program makes home energy improvements more affordable,but only until April 2012

SAN DIEGO, Calif. (Oct. 3, 2011) - Homeowners in San Diego County can now receive financial assistance and low-interest financing to make energy efficiency improvements through a state-funded program offering $1,250 grants per household and 15-year loans with a three percent interest rate. Energy efficiency upgrades funded by the program include duct sealing, water heaters, windows, roofs, solar energy systems and more.

The new residential energy retrofit program is available because on Oct. 3, 2011, San Diego County joined the California Rural Home Mortgage Finance Authority, called the CHF, a statewide joint powers authority that is working with the California Energy Commission to further the commission’s energy-saving goals of the Energy Upgrade California™ program.

"This program is a win-win-win," said Supervisor Pam Slater-Price. "We are helping the environment, saving homeowners money and creating much-needed jobs in San Diego County. When I first engaged the County of San Diego in this program it was with this purpose in mind."

The new loans are funded by a $16.5 million grant awarded to CHF as part of the federal stimulus American Recovery and Reinvestment Act and an additional $2 million of CHF funds. Statewide, the average loan amount is approximately $23,500, with some $4.6 million awarded so far. The program is funded through March 31, 2012, or until funds are exhausted.

"There has never been a better and more affordable time to address your home’s comfort, health and safety by looking holistically at its energy consumption," said Irene Stillings, executive director of the California Center for Sustainable Energy ( CCSE), a San Diego-based nonprofit that helped bring the loan program to the county. "San Diegans must take advantage of this funding quickly because the loans are moving fast in other areas of the state and funds are limited."

The CHF program supports a whole house approach to energy efficiency, starting with a comprehensive energy assessment and work plan by a qualified Energy Upgrade California contractor. The assessment identifies what upgrades are needed and the rebates and incentives that may apply. The assessment and work plan can be used in applying for a loan.

The CHF residential energy retrofit loans do not require a minimum credit score, an appraisal or specific debt-to-income levels, but to qualify, a homeowner’s income must be between 60% and 160% of the area’s median income. In San Diego County, the range is approximately $44,940 to $119,840 in annual income per household.

In addition to the new grants and low-interest loans, local homeowners also have access to thousands of dollars in other rebates and incentives from Energy Upgrade California and San Diego Gas & Electric, as well as from various municipal programs.