Affordable Financing For All Seasons -- Home Energy Upgrade Financing

A Great Home Remedy!

Do you feel like you can't escape the heat by coming inside? Do you dread rainy days because of the chill it brings? Do you simply wish your home were cozier? The Home Energy Upgrade Financing (HEUF) program could be your solution. Under this program, you can qualify for $2,500 to $20,000 to purchase and install energy-efficient upgrades. The kinds of upgrades that turn a house into "Home Sweet Home."

Simple. Affordable. Fast.

Because the HEUF program offers unsecured financing, you don't need equity in your home to qualify. Financing can be approved in as little as 24 hours after receipt of your application. Terms range from one to ten years. Best of all, this financing is backed by Fannie Mae, the nation's largest source of funds for home loans.

How It Works

To make it easy to use this program, we called on the expertise of Viewtech, an authorized Fannie Mae loan administrator, to administer this specialized financing. Viewtech works with The League of California Homeowners, an independent consumer organization, which provides contractor background checks. All participating contractors must meet the League's standards before they can be approved and passed along to you for consideration.

To learn what upgrades qualify for this financing, how you can qualify for it and how to find a participating contractor, just keep reading!

How To Make Your House "Home Sweet Home"

You'll find many of these upgrades can make a big improvement in how comfortable your home feels. And the improved energy efficiency they bring may lower your energy bills.

Water Heater

Next to heating and cooling, water heating is the largest energy user in the home. New gas water heaters are very economical. They use less energy and have a faster recovery time than electrical heaters. Space Heating - When furnace shopping, check the AFUE (Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency) rating. Newer units extract more of the heat contained in combustion byproducts, as well as reduce the amount of heated air that escapes for a better AFUE rating.

Cooling

Consider refrigerated air conditioners or evaporative coolers with high Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratios (SEER). Higher SEER rated units offer better efficiency and lower operating costs. Gas air conditioners and evaporative coolers are environmentally friendly alternatives that offer lower operating costs and can save you money.

Windows

Windows can account for 33% of the total heat loss and as much as 75% of the heat gain during the summer. That's why a it's a good idea to replace single-paned windows with double-paned, low emissivity coated windows.

Ceiling and Attic

Without a well-insulated attic, much of your heating and cooling costs are wasted. That's why it's worthwhile to insulate your attic. But, if you don't have an attic, add insulation to the ceiling of the top floor.

Insulation

Insulation block the flow of heat through attics, floors and walls by forming "dead air" spaces. Places to insulate include ceilings/attics, floors, walls and air ducts. And don't forget about caulking and weather stripping.

Roofing

The constant heat and cooling of a roof causes it to expand and contract - which leads to wear, tear and energy loss. Remember, light-colored roofs tend to last longer and are generally more durable than dark-colored roofs because they reflect more sun.

Pool/Spa Heater

Natural gas spa heaters use less energy and heat water much faster than electric heaters. Remember not to select a smaller heater on the initial cost alone. A larger heater may be more economic, because a smaller heater will have to work longer and harder to heat the same size pool.

Insulated Plantation Shutters

Plantation shutters help shield your interior from extreme seasonal temperatures, thus reducing both cooling and heating costs. Plus, they can protect decorative interior investments from damaging ultraviolet rays.

Permanently Installed Natural Gas Barbecues

Gas grills make outdoor cooking easy, controllable and affordable. Plus they are better for the environment than charcoal grills. Before you buy, look at how and what you cook. The more you use your grill, the more extras you should consider - like rotisseries and side burners.

Your 6 Quick Steps to Home Energy Upgrade Financing

Call Viewtech at 888-621-5511, and they'll send you a list of contractors in your area who are qualified to do the type of upgrading you want.

1. Choose a contractor from the list and select your energy-efficient upgrades. Remember to shop for the best value.
2. Your contractor will bring the financing paperwork to your home and help you complete it.
3. The contractor will then send your application to Viewtech.
4. You could be approved as early as 24 hours from the time Viewtech receives your application.
5. Once you're approved, you can schedule your work with your contractor.
6. For more information visit Viewtech's Web site. The Viewtech Web site is a third-party Web site. We have published our policy on linking to third-party Web site's in our Privacy section.

Tips To Keep Your Upgrades On Track

Equally as important as the financing is the remodeling process itself. The League of California Homeowners offers these tips. The League of California Homeowners' Web site is a third-party Web site. We have published our policy on linking to third-party Web site's in our Privacy section.

1. Hire only licensed contractors (HEUF-approved contractors meet this standard).
2. Hire insured contractors (HEUF-approved contractors meet this standard).
3. If your contractor has employees, make sure they have Worker's Comp Insurance (HEUF-approved contractors meet this standard).
4. Always get three bids, three customer references and review past work. It's up to you to get the best value.
5. Never start a job without a thorough written contract. Be sure to have start and completion dates.
6. Never pay more than 10% down or $1,000 (whichever is less) to start a job.
7. Keep a job file that includes receipts, permits, plans and anything else pertaining to your job.