Financing Options for High-Performance Homes

High-Performance Homes: Saving Money, Enhancing Health, and Protecting the Environment

Yes, high-performance homes can come with a higher upfront cost compared to non-performance homes. However, it’s important to consider the long-term benefits. Beyond the initial investment, high-performance homes provide:

  • substantial savings on energy costs
  • potential health expenses
  • reduced home maintenance
  • increased resale value
  • better comfort (your home feels like a home!)
  • and more!

The question remains: How can you finance a high-performance home?

Fortunately, various financing options are available to support your endeavor.

Exploring Options: If you’re planning to build or renovate a home, consider the remarkable benefits of high-performance homes. They offer a smart way to save money, improve health, and make a positive environmental impact.

  • Energy efficiency mortgages: These mortgages are designed to help borrowers finance the cost of energy-efficient improvements to their homes. They often offer lower interest rates or down payment requirements than traditional mortgages.
  • Government programs: There are a number of government programs that offer financial assistance for energy-efficient home improvements. These programs can vary from state to state, so it’s important to do your research to find out what’s available in your area.
  • Home improvement loans: Home improvement loans can be used to finance the cost of any type of home improvement, including energy-efficient improvements. These loans typically have higher interest rates than traditional mortgages, but they can be a good option if you need to finance the cost of improvements immediately.

NOTE: Some of the links below take you to nonprofits, state government, or banks. Most states have more than one option. We recommend that you do Internet searches by State, using phrases such as: Green Loans, Green Grants, Green Rebates, Green Building Funds, and even High Performance Certification.

Also, look for a nonprofit in your state like Efficiency Vermont. They’re the cream of the crop!

Here are some resources that can help you learn more about financing options for high-performance homes:

National Incentives

  • U.S. Department of Energy: The U.S. Department of Energy offers a number of resources on energy-efficient mortgages and government programs.
  • Energy Star: Energy Star is a government-backed program that helps consumers find and purchase energy-efficient products and services.

New England and Northeastern State Incentives

  • Connecticut: EnergizeCT‘s — offerings for residential homes include energy assessments, energy savings plans, and more.
  • Maine: Efficiency Maine — offers incentives available for energy efficiency upgrades.
  • Massachusetts: Mass Save — Mass Save is the Commonwealth’s nation leading energy efficiency program provider.
  • New Hampshire: New Hampshire Department of Energy — New Hampshire has a number of programs to help homeowners and businesses increase the efficiency of their buildings, saving energy and money and reducing environmental pollution.
  • New York: NYSERDA and NYEEFA
  • Vermont: Efficiency Vermont — Efficiency Vermont is a non-profit organization that helps Vermonters save energy and money. They offer a number of programs and services, including energy-efficient mortgages and government programs

All State Incentives