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Maine

Maine

Incentives/Policies for Energy Efficiency

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Home Energy Loan Program (HELP)

Last DSIRE Review: 01/14/2010
Program Overview:
State: Maine
Incentive Type: State Loan Program
Eligible Efficiency Technologies: Dehumidifiers, Water Heaters, Furnaces , Boilers, Caulking/Weather-stripping, Duct/Air sealing, Building Insulation, Windows, Doors, Roofs
Eligible Renewable/Other Technologies: Solar Water Heat, Biomass, Geothermal Heat Pumps
Applicable Sectors: Residential, Low-Income Residential
Expiration Date:12/31/2009
Web Site: http://www.mainehousing.org/PROGRAMSHelp.aspx?ProgramID=32
Summary:
This incentive is no longer accepting loan applications after December 31, 2009. No new loans will be issued under this program. This summary is for reference only.  
 
Maine's Home Energy Loan Program (HELP), initiated in September 2006, provides low-interest loans to residents for energy improvements. Under HELP, the Maine State Housing Authority provides loans ranging from $2,800 to $30,000 at a fixed interest rate of 3.95% to homeowners. (Note that rates and terms are subject to change.)  
 
HELP loans may be used to finance:
  • Home energy audits.  
  • Insulation, air sealing and weather stripping.  
  • Heating system repair or replacement. (Eligible heating system improvements generally include furnace cleaning and tune-ups, replacement burners and/or fuel storage tanks, replacement systems and supplemental heating systems that meet certain efficiency standards, efficient wood stoves and wood pellet systems, geothermal heat pumps, and solar water-heating systems.)  
  • Energy Star-rated windows and appliances.  
  • Storm doors and storm windows.  
  • Ventilation and moisture controls.  
  • Roof repairs if attic is insulated to a minimum R-38 value.
HELP loans are generally available to residents (1) who own and occupy a one- to four-unit home, (2) who have total monthly debt payments of 45% or less of total monthly income and (3) whose total home loans, including the energy loan, do not exceed 106% of the home’s value (or 100% for mobile homes). While household income limits apply, most Maine homeowners are eligible for a HELP loan.  
 


 
Contact:
  Joanna Veilleux
Maine State Housing Authority
353 Water Street
Augusta, ME 04330-4633
Phone: (207) 624-5712
Phone 2: (877) 544-3271
E-Mail: jveilleux@mainehousing.org
Web Site: http://www.mainehousing.org
 
  Tae Chong
Maine State Housing Authority
353 Water Street
Augusta, ME 04330-4633
Phone: (207) 624-5704
Phone 2: (877) 544-3271
E-Mail: tchong@mainehousing.org
Web Site: http://www.mainehousing.org
NCSU - home
Please note: The information on the DSIRE web site provides an overview of incentives and other policies, but it should not be used as the only source of information when making purchasing decisions, investment decisions, tax decisions or other binding agreements. Please refer to the individual contact provided in each record to verify that a specific incentive or other policy is applicable to your specific project.

© 2009 N.C. Solar Center / N.C. State University / College of Engineering