Affordable Financing for Home Improvements

a house photo

If you’re looking to make energy-efficient home improvements, you may want to consider the “Energy Loan” from Fannie Mae®.

This loan was developed to provide homeowners with an unsecured financing option for specified energy-efficient home improvements.

  • From $2,500 to $20,000

Simple Affordable Fast

Because the program offers unsecured financing, you don’t need to have equity in your home. Financing can be approved in as little as 24 hours after receipt of your application*.

Time periods for repayment vary. Best of all, this financing is provided by Fannie Mae, the nation’s largest source of funds for home loans.

How it works

To make it easy to use this program, Fannie Mae works with Viewtech Financial Services, who administers this specialized financing. Viewtech works with The League of California Homeowners, an independent consumer organization, which provides contractor background checks. All participating contractors must meet the League’s standards before they can be approved by Viewtech and passed along to you for consideration.

Upgrades you can make to your home

You’ll find many of these upgrades can make a big improvement in how comfortable your home feels. And the improved energy efficiency they bring may help lower your energy bills.

Water Heater

Next to heating and cooling, water heating is the largest energy user in the home. Gas water heater costs account for about 16% of the average bill, while electric water heater costs are about 28% of the average bill.

Space Heating

When furnace shopping, check the AFUE (Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency) rating. Newer units extract more of the heat contained in combustion byproducts,as well as reduce the amount of heated air that escapes for a better AFUE rating.

Cooling

Consider refrigerated air conditioners or evaporative coolers with high Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratios (SEER). Higher SEER rated units offer better efficiency and lower operating costs.

Windows

Windows can account for 33% of the total heat loss and as much as 75% of the heat gain during the summer. That's why it's a good idea to replace single-paned windows with double-paned, low emissivity coated windows.

Ceiling and Attic

Without a well-insulated attic, much of your heating and cooling costs are wasted. That's why it's worthwhile to insulate your attic. But, if you don't have an attic, add insulation to the ceiling of the top floor.

Insulation

Insulation blocks the flow of heat through attics, floors and walls by forming "dead air" spaces. Places to insulate include ceilings/attics, floors, walls and air ducts. And don't forget about caulking and weather stripping.

Roofing

The constant heat and cooling of a roof causes it to expand and contract - which leads to wear, tear and energy loss. Remember, light-colored roofs tend to last longer and are generally more durable than dark-colored roofs because they reflect more sun.

Pool

The key to saving energy with a pool is to correctly manage the filter pump time, pool temperature and lighting.

Insulated Plantation Shutters

Plantation shutters help shield your interior from extreme seasonal temperatures, thus reducing both cooling and heating costs. Plus, they can protect decorative interior investments from damaging ultraviolet rays.

Permanently Installed Natural Gas Barbecues

Gas grills make outdoor cooking easy, controllable and affordable. Plus they are better for the environment than charcoal grills. Before you buy, look at how and what you cook. The more you use your grill, the more extras you should consider - like rotisseries and sideburners.

How to apply

  1. Call Viewtech at 1-888-502-4222. they’ll send you a list of qualified contractors in your area.
  2. Choose a contractor from the list and select your energy-efficient upgrades. Remember to shop for the best value.
  3. Your contractor will bring the financing paperwork to your home and help you complete it.
  4. The contractor will then send your application to Viewtech.
  5. You could be approved as early as 24 hours from the time Viewtech receives your application*.
  6. Once you’re approved, you can schedule your work with your contractor.

 

*San Diego Gas & Electric Company has no role in reviewing or approving your financing application and presents this simply for your consideration. In addition, SDG&E does not endorse and is not responsible for any goods and services obtained by the customer from third parties.