Thursday, Feb 10 2011 5:14PM
Rural Californians may be able to qualify for a home improvement loan that will allow them to make energy-efficient improvements to their homes.
Residents of Calaveras County, California, may be able to save money on their energy bills, as a new program will allow area homeowners to apply for a loan for the purpose of making home improvements that will ultimately reduce their energy consumption, reported the Calaveras Record.
Funded by a $16.5-million grant from the California Energy Commission, the money originally came to the state through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. Homeowners with incomes ranging from $38,640 to $103,040 a year are eligible to apply for the housing assistance, according to the newspaper.
The improvements are expected to eventually save homeowners more in energy costs than the price of paying off the loan, reported the paper, which must be reimbursed over 15 years. Calaveras residents who are approved may be able to earn an additional grant that covers 15 percent of the renovation costs up to $1,250.
Installing new roofing, solar power systems, new windows, insulation and heating systems are all projects that qualify for the loan, reported the newspaper.
The project is one of many green-living initiatives that makes the Golden State one of the most energy-efficient in the nation. According to environmental website Greenopia, California is the fifth-greenest state in country, despite having the largest population.