Home and business energy projects may save you money in the long run, but paying for them now can be an obstacle. Financial institutions around the state offer a variety of loan programs, some of which are specifically designed to pay for investments in efficiency improvements. You may want to contact your local lenders to see if they offer any of these loans. By taking advantage of special financing rates for energy upgrades, you may actually be able to lower your monthly costs. Some options for financing energy improvements are listed below. (Note: always check directly with lending organizations, as their terms and options may be subject to change.)
Income qualified individuals can learn more about resources to help with efficiency projects on the Income Based webpage.
- Energy & Equity Bridge Loan Program: The Energy & Equity Bridge Loan Program is a revolving loan fund created by the Vermont Housing Finance Authority (VHFA) to promote and assist the preservation of affordable housing. Funds to support energy upgrades to improve efficiency, and related project costs may be available.
- EVT Business and Agricultural Energy Loan: Efficiency Vermont offers guidance to connect businesses, agricultural operations, non-profits, institutions and municipalities with financing for their energy efficiency investments. The resulting loans may be structured to allow the energy savings to cover the monthly payments, resulting in positive cash flow.
- EVT Home Energy Loan: The Home Energy Loan is available to help Vermonters improve the energy efficiency of their homes. This loan offers financing for homeowners looking to overcome up-front expenses for efficiency improvements. Interest rates and eligibility vary depending on household income and the length of the loan.
- US Department of Agriculture (USDA): The USDA's Rural Energy for America Program provides guaranteed loan financing and grant funding to agricultural producers and rural small businesses to purchase or install renewable energy systems or make energy efficiency improvements.
- Vermont Economic Development Authority (VEDA): VEDA offers a number of loan programs, some of which may help Vermont businesses finance qualifying renewable energy generation and energy efficiency improvement projects. The VACC Agricultural Energy Loan Program is administered by the Vermont Agricultural Credit Corporation (VACC). The loan program helps Vermont agriculture and forest product–based businesses to finance qualifying renewable energy generation and energy efficiency improvement projects, and to adopt technologies that enhance or support the development and implementation of renewable energy, energy efficiency, or both. The loan term and amortization period is determined on a case-by-case basis.
- Vermont Gas: Vermont Gas offers low- or no-interest loans through a local credit union for upgrading to a new high-efficiency heating system.
Learn More:
Visit the pages below to learn more about Programs & Incentives:
