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Ohio

Ohio

Incentives/Policies for Renewables & Efficiency

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Energy Conservation for Ohioans (ECO-Link) Program   
Last DSIRE Review: 12/07/2012
Program Overview:
State: Ohio
Incentive Type: State Loan Program
Eligible Efficiency Technologies: Clothes Washers, Dishwasher, Refrigerators, Dehumidifiers, Ceiling Fan, Water Heaters, Furnaces , Boilers, Heat pumps, Central Air conditioners, Caulking/Weather-stripping, Duct/Air sealing, Building Insulation, Windows, Doors, Siding, Roofs, Custom/Others pending approval, Room Air Conditioners, Battery Chargers, Room Air Cleaners
Eligible Renewable/Other Technologies: Solar Water Heat, Photovoltaics, Wind, Geothermal Heat Pumps, Others
Applicable Sectors: Residential
Amount:3% rate reduction on a 5-year bank loan (for $25,000)
3% rate reduction on a 7-year bank loan (for over $25,000)
Maximum Incentive:Rate reduction available for up to $50,000 and 7 years of the bank loan
Terms:Varies by bank
Funding Source:Interest earned from 2-year Ohio Treasury Certificate of Deposit at participating ECO-Link bank (similar to Linked Deposit programs)
Start Date:09/09/2009
Web Site: http://ecolink.ohio.gov
Summary:

The Energy Conversation for Ohioans (ECO-Link) program offers Ohio homeowners reduced rate financing for energy efficiency and renewable energy home upgrades. Administered by the Ohio Treasury, qualifying homeowners are eligible for a 3% loan rate reduction through participating banks.*

Qualifying Technology
A wide range of energy-efficiency upgrades and certain renewable-energy systems may be undertaken, including:

  • Appliances (must meet established efficiency standards)
    • Battery Chargers, Clothes Washers, De-humidifiers, Dishwashers, Refrigerators, Freezers, Room Air Conditioners, Room Air Cleaners
  • Water Heaters (must meet established efficiency standards)
    • Gas Condensing, Heat Pump, High-Efficiency Gas Storage, Solar Water Heaters, Whole-Home Gas Tankless
  • Heating & Cooling
    • Air-source Heat Pumps, Boilers, Central Air Conditioners, Ceiling Fans, Dehumidifiers, Furnaces, Geothermal Heat Pumps, Biomass Stove
  • Home
    • Home Sealing, Roof Products, Windows, Doors, and Skylights
  • Renewable Energy Systems
    • Photovoltaic (PV) Systems, Residential Wind Turbines (less than 100 kilowatts)


Eligibility
Applicants must be Ohio residents, own a single-family home and receive an approved bank loan that will be used for energy efficiency or renewable energy upgrades. Applicants must receive application approval before beginning projects. To participate, homeowners should contact their bank first for pre-approval. In addition to the ECO-Link application, interested homeowners will need to submit an energy-efficiency audit sheet (Energy Efficient Home Performance Audit Sheet) to the bank as well. The bank will then submit the required paperwork directly to the Ohio Treasury.

After an approved project is completed, the homeowner must provide the bank with a "Certificate of Project Completion" provided by the contractor performing the work and Energy Star Manufacturer Certification Statement (on Energy Star Products), if applicable. Projects must be installed by a certified contractor (see program web site for the list).

As of August 31, 2010, this program has made 65 loans and funded $3.2 million worth of energy efficient improvements.

*Partnership banks are those that are qualified state depository lenders.

 
Contact:
  Jonathan Stone
State Treasurer of Ohio
Economic Development and Strategic Investments
30 E. Broad Street,
9th Floor
Columbus, OH 43215-3461
Phone: (800) 228-1102
E-Mail: ecolink@tos.ohio.gov
Web Site: http://ecolink.ohio.gov
 
  Haley Lodge
State Treasurer of Ohio
Economic Development Department
30 E. Broad Street,
9th Floor
Columbus, OH 43215-3461
Phone: (614) 728-7774
Phone 2: (614) 466-6546
Fax: (614) 466-2499
E-Mail: haley.lodge@tos.ohio.gov
Web Site: http://tos.ohio.gov/Default.aspx
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Disclaimer: The information presented on the DSIRE web site provides an unofficial overview of financial incentives and other policies. It does not constitute professional tax advice or other professional financial guidance, and it should not be used as the only source of information when making purchasing decisions, investment decisions or tax decisions, or when executing other binding agreements. Please refer to the individual contact provided below each summary to verify that a specific financial incentive or other policy applies to your project.

While the DSIRE staff strives to provide the best information possible, the DSIRE staff, the N.C. Solar Center, N.C. State University and the Interstate Renewable Energy Council, Inc. make no representations or warranties, either express or implied, concerning the accuracy, completeness, reliability or suitability of the information. The DSIRE staff, the N.C. Solar Center, N.C. State University and the Interstate Renewable Energy Council, Inc. disclaim all liability of any kind arising out of your use or misuse of the information contained or referenced on DSIRE Web pages.

Copyright 2012 - 2013 North Carolina State University, under NREL Subcontract No. XEU-0-99515-01. Permission granted only for personal or educational use, or for use by or on behalf of the U.S. government. North Carolina State University prohibits the unauthorized display, reproduction, sale, and/or distribution of all or portions of the content of the Database of State Incentives for Renewables and Efficiency (DSIRE) without prior, written consent.