Program Summary:
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The interest rate will be a low rate of 5%.
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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.
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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)
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Customer is interested in making the home more energy efficient or replacing
an HVAC unit that has failed. -
Customer applies for loan. Loan applications are available from Berkeley Electric Cooperative’s website (link to application) or at district offices.
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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. -
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. -
Customers will have payments on their electric bill monthly and have a home
that is more comfortable and has lower energy bills.