The Best 2019 Energy Efficiency Loans for Homeowners in California

I’m far from the first person to have this thought, but a new year really is a great time to take stock of all that’s happening around you in order to make changes and improvements. For a lot of homeowners these days, that means a thorough examination of their carbon footprints, specifically looking at if their houses are as energy efficient as they can be, with, of course, a focus on the usual efficiency suspects such as HVAC systems, insulation, and windows.

In all of these areas, there are without question ways to make one’s home more energy efficient. At the same time, though, these ways often come with a price tag; investing in things like new windows, better insulation, or a smart thermostat costs money.

Here in Sacramento, there are ways to get help, though. That’s what we’re going to talk about today. My goal today is for all of us to leave here with a better understanding of the energy efficiency loans for homeowners in California so that you can make the important decisions for your home that will start 2019 off on a more environmentally-friendly foot!

PACE, One of The Best Energy Efficiency Loans for Homeowners in California

A good deal of energy efficiency loans for homeowners in California have popped up in recent years, and, in fact, more continue to be developed and rolled out today. Here in our state, energy efficiency technologies are a vibrant and growing business, one that our communities are more often than not happy and eager to support. It remains to be seen, obviously, what new options will hit the market soon, but one of the first was PACE loans.

Pace loans are also still a good option today. Here are the basics:

• PACE loans offer long-term financing for energy efficient residential (R-PACE) and commercial (C-PACE) upgrades, as well as for the installation of renewable energy sources.
• These loans make it so that homeowners can afford to pay for sustainable home upgrades without a huge payment upfront, upgrades such as double pane window installation, HVAC system replacement, low flow water fixtures, efficient hot water heaters, and things like year-round insulation.
• PACE loans can be a bit complicated, but experienced local HVAC companies will have all the answers you need.

CalFIRST Energy Efficiency Loans for Local Homeowners

California First, also known as CalFirst, is another great option among the energy efficiency loans for homeowners in California. If you read the section about PACE above, the truth is that a lot of the basics about CalFirst are pretty similar. By and large, CalFirst pays for the same things and mostly works the same way. It’s a good program, one I often recommend.

I do recommend getting a California home energy audit in advance before looking into CalFirst so that you know what areas of your home to focus on. Everything from new windows to insulation are great, but it also helps to put in some advanced work toward figuring out what the most pressing needs are for your individual home.

A great thing about CalFirst—and many of the other best energy efficiency loans for homeowners in California—is the way repayment works. See, when it comes to paying back the financing, you’ll be offered flexible repayment plans anywhere between 5 and 30 years. The amount is conveniently tacked onto your property tax bill, so you don’t even have to worry about having another bill to pay. And, if you happen to move before you have a chance to pay it off, the remaining balance can be easily transferred to your new home’s property tax bill.

See? Pretty simple.

SMUD Energy Efficiency Loans for California Homeowners

Now, chances are that you may have heard of SMUD, which stands for Sacramento Municipal Utility District. Did you also know that SMUD offers money back on energy-efficient appliances in order to help homeowners reduce their energy consumption? It’s true, this is the SMUD Energy Efficiency program, and we’ve talked about it before.

I’d wager that I have your attention now. So then, let’s talk next about a few of the things that Sacramento homeowners should know about SMUD energy efficiency loans for homeowners:

• In order to qualify for SMUD rebates, you have to make sure that the appliance you’re purchasing meets the criteria on the SMUD website
• SMUD loans cover everything from appliances to major home upgrades
• Working with a trusted experienced contractor to install your new project is key to making sure you’re getting the most savings in the long run (although that last one is true of all of the above).

So there you have it, three of the best energy efficiency loans for homeowners in California for 2019. Now, I don’t want to tell you how to live your life here, but these are all great deals. They’re ways you can help the environment while also lowering your utility bills. What’s better than that?

Also, as you may have noticed, I highly recommend working with experienced contractors. Here at Bell Brothers, we’ve been doing HVAC work in Sacramento for the past 30 years. We’re a great choice to help you navigate these local loan programs, and also to make sure that your investment gets handled right. So, give us a call today!

At Bell Brothers, we have years of experience in both Sacramento and the surrounding areas helping folks heat, cool, and insulate their homes. We also know the local energy efficiency loans for homeowners inside and out, and we can be a great resource for getting you started on those too. You can work with pros like us and rest assured your house will be as energy efficient—and earth-conscious—as you are in no time! Contact us today to schedule a free consultation.

Wondering how to finance new windows—or even a furnace or plumbing upgrade? SMUD is a unique financing option that helps California homeowners afford energy-efficient upgrades to their home. Contact Bell Brothers, a SMUD-approved contractor, to learn more. Our local window, HVAC, and plumbing specialists will walk you through the entire process, from applications to installation.

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