Understanding Your Home Improvement Financing Options

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Could you have a vastly more comfortable home year-round for around $100 a month? 

Yes. Read on.  

Making the home upgrades your home needs can’t always wait for a bigger than expected tax return, or a large Christmas bonus. The sooner you can make your home more comfortable and efficient, the more money (and carbon emissions) you stand to save over time. 

This is why Evergreen Home Performance is affiliated with two trusted lenders that work with Mainers, so that homeowners like you don’t have to suffer through living in an uncomfortable home because they are tied to a tight budget. These financing options can help you with the following upgrades:

Energy Efficiency Improvements Financing through Efficiency Maine

When it comes to Maine-specific financing options, Efficiency Maine is the place to start. Efficiency Maine is the state’s independent administrator for programs to improve the efficiency of energy use and reduce greenhouse gases in Maine, and does so by offering financial rebates and incentives, as well as low-interest financing options. 

First off, you stand to save between $50 and $$3,500 on qualifying energy upgrades through Efficiency Maine Rebates. But for the remaining balance of your project, the Efficiency Maine Home Energy Loans allow you to borrow up to $15,000 over 10 years with no fees, and interest rates as low as 4.99% APR. You can even get a breakdown of what your monthly payment would be, as well as browse a list of qualifying upgrades here.

(You must be a Maine resident to qualify, and depending on the loan type you may need to meet minimum credit score and debt-to-income ratio requirements.)

Home Improvements Financing through National Energy Improvement Fund (NEIF) EnergyPlus Loans

For projects that require larger budgets or broader workscopes than what would qualify for Efficiency Maine loans, the National Energy Improvement Fund offers similar financing options for homeowners all over the country. This financing option is for heating and cooling systems, roofing and siding, windows and doors, insulation, and even kitchens and bath upgrades. 

With the EnergyPlus Loan, you can borrow up to $25,000 when using a NEIF approved contractor, at a fixed interest rate ranging from 7.99% to 12.99% APR, based on your credit. Utilizing NEIF approved contractors, like Evergreen Home Performance, protects you from unsatisfactory craftsmanship, and NEIF’s immediate approval decisions and transparent communication make this a great option.

Know Your Options, with a Free Consult

Getting a clear picture of the entire scope of your home improvement project can be daunting. If all you know is that something about your home needs improving, Evergreen Home Performance is here to help. As a company of local Mainers dedicated to better buildings through science, we can offer you a free consultation to get you on the right track. 

One of our Home Energy Advisors will meet with you to discuss the current state of your home comfort and efficiency. Then we will do a brief scan of your home using infrared imaging, and put together a consult summary that outlines our recommended next steps, estimated costs, and how to achieve your goals with affordable monthly payments. 

You don’t need to empty your savings account in order to save on your monthly energy bills. Learn about your options with Evergreen Home Performance. Call 207-594-2244 or get in touch here.

Looking for an easy way to understand home improvement financing options?

We’re here to help. 207-594-2244

Update 12/2018: Evergreen has completed Phase II of my house (insulating and installing air/moisture barrier on exterior walls, replacing old windows) and now that heating season is upon us, the difference is astonishing. The house is tight as a drum and so easy to keep warm. Worth every penny. Thank you all! Working with Evergreen was a positive experience from start (no charge energy audit) to finish (a MUCH more comfortable home). Brian Robinson spent a lot of time with me on the audit, explaining clearly what he was finding in my ca.

Rebekah W.

Rockport

A thorough inspection of our (older) house and its energy needs. Competent and personable work crew.

Jacob Watson

We couldn't be more pleased with the easy, professional, high-value service from Evergreen. Having purchased an older home that had been in our family for generations, we needed multiple upgrades, including insulation throughout. Evergreen insulated our attic with blown-in cellulose, built a new, super-insulated attic hatch, sealed off the old one (which was just a piece of plywood in a closet ceiling), and also talked us through our best options to upgrade our heating system given the plans we have to add onto the house.

Tom G.

South Thomaston

Evergreen listened and produced a thoughtful evaluation, proposal and comprehensive plan for our attic and basement. They exhibited excellent workmanship, teamwork, and came back as planned after the completion of the job to test the outcomes. Their overall performance as insulation and home improvement contractors is truly outstanding and we highly recommend them.

Susan S.

Saco

I used to spend winters in the bathtub because my house was so cold. This was my first winter roaming around my whole house comfortably. This even led me to decorate a little. My heating oil usage has been reduced by over a quarter: I rarely have to boost the thermostat because the temp stays at a constant. The Efficiency Maine rebates, together with the energy savings, make it affordable for me to pay for the loan I took out to finance the project. I do not worry about my pipes freezing.

Claire Helene Bevan

Camden

I waited a year to write this review. Evergreen finished our job late last winter. Terrific results!!! we've gone from 12-day propane deliveries to 30+ day propane deliveries. The house is noticeably warmer. The Evergreen crew was/is professional, prompt, thorough, scientific, gracious and immaculate with respect to keeping our house clean. Money well spent.

John E.

Boothbay

Evergreen was so helpful in securing us Efficiency Maine funding for a big attic insulation project early this winter. They did all of the paperwork, and totally guided us through a vermiculite removal process that included a payment from a trust for the procedure. I could instantly feel the second floor being so much warmer than before. The boiler does not kick on nearly as frequently since they completed the job. It was worth every penny! Brian Robinson was so thorough throughout the whole process including a full walk through after the job had been completed.

Todd W.

Camden

Greetings one and all! I am writing to express my gratitude to all involved in my insulation project.  From start to finish, I appreciate the universal theme which was maintained by each and every one of you, to ensure that my home was insulated and protected from freezing pipes as if it was your home. Andrea, thanks for helping me navigate my way to the project. Nate, thanks for the thorough initial assessment and the time you took to explain this project to me, step by step. Brian, thanks for setting up my project - so happy

Michele

"Working with Evergreen from start to finish was a great experience." See what our customers have to say about their experience with Evergreen Home Performance. 

Jeff L.

First we have Evergreen do a BIG project worth about $20K (windows, basement, insulate & rebuild an entire wall, a door, attics, and air sealing). They were so great we had them come back later when we decided we did want to do our other door. They are professional and do great work. They take care of your home and are trustworthy, and on top of all that friendly! I highly recommend you call them!

Garreth C Debiegun

Evergreen is the "go-to" company for improving the efficiency of your home. There are others to choose from but none so effective, honest, and capable as Evergreen. They did a great quantity of dense packing cellulose to improve our home (both for energy efficiency and for sound insulation) and it was totally successful. They are on-time, helpful, and caring. They clean up to a level that can't be over emphasized. This was the second time we employed them and we'd use them again if the opportunity came. You'll not be sorry to select Evergreen.

Dirk F.

Belfast

This team of individuals was professional at all times. They set up barriers that kept the dust at a minimum. They conducted an air flow audit and cut the draft circulation from the outside in half by sealing cracks. They hauled out the old insulation and replaced it with blown in insulation with an R - 60 Value. They also did the rebate paperwork so that I could get my $1500.00 rebate from the state of Maine. I highly recommend Evergreen Home Performance!

Daniel B.

Rockland

I cannot say enough great things about working with Evergreen Home Performance. Everything including the initial consultation, the fabulous work crew, the office support and the final resolution was handled in a caring and professional manner. My only regret is that I did not know about them earlier. I enthusiastically recommend Evergreen to anyone with concerns about home energy use.

Darlene R

Bath

Professional, friendly and hard-working staff. The product/approach they use for insulation is top notch. We felt the difference immediately, both from added warmth and eliminating drafts. The team and management were easily available to answer our questions or coordinate meeting times. Highly recommended.

Kevin J.

Yarmouth

Nothing but good things to say. The guys that came and did the actual work were extremely nice and did a great job. The energy audit was thorough and I was presented with multiple improvement options, I was even given ideas for improvement that Evergreen didn't offer. I never felt like I was being "sold".

Ryan Adams

Portland Buy Local
Efficiency Maine
EPA Lead-Safe Certified
Building Performance Association
BPI Certified