To find what's offered in your area, start with your local utility. Other places to look are the field office of the federal Housing and Urban Development (HUD) agency, your state energy office, and any local energy conservation groups. For mortgages, try the local field offices for the various mortgage companies and organizations listed in this chapter or the HERS contacts listed below.
It can take a good bit of sleuthing to snoop out money for grants and loans, and the process can be frustrating, but give it a try. It can also pay to read the literature that comes with your utility billŠthe stuff most of us promptly throw away. Often it describes energy financing opportunities in your area.
Take the time to call more than one of the contacts listed as no organization is guaranteed to have all the complete and up-to-date information.
Berko, Robert L. Consumers Guide to Home Repair Grants and Subsidized Loans. South Orange, NJ: Consumer Education Research Center, 1996.
Energy Rated Homes of America (RESNET)
12350 Industry Way, Suite 208
Anchorage, AK 99515
Phone: 907-345-1930
E-Mail: resnet@corecom.net
WWW: http://www.natresnet.org/RESNET.htm
Home Energy Rating Systems (HERS) Council
1511 K St., NW, Suite 600
Washington, DC 20005
Phone: 202-638-3700 ext.202
E-Mail: HERS@aecnet.com
WWW: http://www.hers-council.org
US Department of Energy
Office of BTS, EE-40
1000 Independence Ave., SW
Washington, DC 20585-0121
Phone: 202-586-7819
E-Mail: John.Reese@hq.doe.gov
WWW: http://www.doe.gov
US Environmental Protection Agency
ENERGY STAR Homes Program
401 M St., SW, MC 6202J
Washington, DC 20460
Phone: 888-STAR-YES
WWW: http://www.epa.gov/energystar_dat.html
Excerpted from No-Regrets Remodeling by Home Energy (1997)