The program is designed with the member’s needs in mind. Not only does it feature a low interest rate, the loan payment will be added to the electric bill for easy payment.  Ideally, the program is designed so that energy savings should cover the cost of the loan.

The program features a low (5%) interest rate on improvements up to $15,000 and focuses on making energy improvements to existing homes. These improvements need to have a reasonable return on the financial investment – typically less than 6 years – or they will not be recommended.

Berkeley Electric will provide Building Performance Institute-certified energy experts to create a prioritized list of energy improvements that will provide the largest energy savings and improved comfort.

Once a member is approved for the loan, the cooperative will provide a list of approved contractors to choose from.  When the work is completed, an energy expert from Berkeley Electric Cooperative will conduct a final inspection of the contractor’s work to make sure it is completed to the required standards. Members must have a good credit rating with Berkeley Electric  in order to be approved.

For more information regarding the HomeAdvantage Loan program please e-mail us.

HomeAdvantage Program FAQs

  • The interest rate will be a low rate of 5%. 

  • This is Berkeley Electric Cooperative’s incentive to customers to make additional long term energy
    improvements to their homes. 

  • Typically the payback on the improvements needs to be within 6 years.

  • Measures with high return would be prioritized for customers.  These include
    such items as infiltration improvement, duct work leakage, air flow improvement,
    insulation upgrades and HVAC unit upgrades.

  • Building Performance Institute auditors will review the home, develop a recommended
    weatherization summary for the customer and the contractor to bid on the work
    and close on the loan.

  • Customers only wanting to implement some of the measures, like heating & cooling unit
    change outs or low energy saving measures like windows, can take advantage of the existing
    Energy Advance Loan Program with Farmers & Merchant Bank.

 

The general loan process is as follows: (Please note that you must be a member of Berkeley Electric for at least 12 months in order to apply)

  1. Customer is interested in making the home more energy efficient or replacing
    an HVAC unit that has failed.

  2. Customer applies for loan. Loan applications are available from Berkeley Electric Cooperative’s website (link to application) or at district offices.

  3. After loan approval, a certified auditor will be assigned and will provide recommendations
    to customer, as well as a list of approved contractors (link to approved contractor PDF) to bid on the work.

  4. After the loan is closed, the contractor will complete the work. Berkeley Electric Cooperative will conduct a
    post-inspection and gets customer to sign-off, if all work is completed properly.
    Berkeley Electric Cooperative will cut check and pay contractor.  A lien is recorded on property as
    security for the loan.

  5. Customers will have payments on their electric bill monthly and have a home
    that is more comfortable and has lower energy bills.

Please note that you must be a member of Berkeley Electric Cooperative for at least 12 months in order to apply.

Members can apply online or download an application.

Looking to tackle one project at a time? Try our Energy Advance Loan. Or maybe you would like to try some DIY home improvement projects on your own?