California Center for Sustainable Energy

Helping Contractors Seal the Deal

Upgrading a home’s energy efficiency and installing solar are among the most important steps for California to successfully reduce its energy consumption and meet environmental goals for curbing greenhouse gas emissions. While rebates and educational programs can motivate a homeowner to save energy, the ability of home performance contractors to make the sale is critical, and often depends largely on financing.

On August 5, more than 100 contractors, solar integrators, energy consultants and government official came to a CCSE workshop that explored innovative financing for clean energy home improvements. The audience heard from eight different organizations about their financial products, many of which are new to the market, and learned about the latest financing options for home energy efficiency and renewable energy upgrades.

The half-day workshop was free and featured keynote speaker mortgage consultant Rick Williams of EcoEnergy Loans and two panels of representatives from financial institutions,

Williams is a certified green building professional and an expert in energy efficiency and renewable energy as well as a mortgage consultant. He has developed a series of webinars on how to finance home energy projects for the California Building Performance Contractors Association, Pacific Gas & Electric and Skyline College.

Williams provided the audience with several key strategies for “closing the sales with financing” including numerous financing programs. The presentations demonstrated that no product is a “one size fits all.” Contractors who know which products work best based on a variety of scenarios will be able to provide the best service to their customers.

“In today’s economy, every penny counts so contractors need to be ready with the right tools and information to help customers understand what they need and how to finance their upgrades and Improve their return on investment,” said Jeremy Hutman, CCSE’s manager for the BetterBuildings Program and workshop organizer.

For more information on upcoming workshops, visit the CCSE website and calendar of events.

Continue reading August's newsletter.