Keystone HELP® Energy Efficiency Loans - Statewide Programs
Please Note:
- If you live in Bucks, Chester, Delaware, Montgomery or Philadelphia Counties you may be eligible for lower interest rates through the EnergyWorks program. Click here for details.
- If you live in the City of Allentown you may be eligible for lower interest rates through the Allentown Energy Conservation Program. Click here for details.
- If you are looking for financing for Geothermal Heat Pump Systems and the Keystone HELP Geothermal Loan Program, click here.
- If you are looking for financing for Solar or other Non-Qualifying Keystone HELP improvements or have a household income more than $150,000, click here.
Who is Eligible?
Pennsylvania homeowners who own and are making qualifying improvements to their 1 to 2 unit primary residence located in Pennsylvania and whose combined annual household income is $150,000 or less are eligible to apply for a loan under the Keystone HELP Energy Efficiency Loan program. Please Note that Keystone HELP loans for Geothermal Heat Pump Systems have no income limits. Loans For Non-Qualifying Keystone HELP Improvement Types & Borrowers With Higher Income Than Permitted for Keystone HELP Energy Efficiency Loans may be eligible for loans under AFC First’s EnergyLoan program. Work under the secured “Whole House Improvement Loan” or EnergyLoan Renovate and Repair Loan for programs must be done on a 1-2 unit owner occupied, deeded property. Applicants must meet the credit eligibility standards of the program. Applicants also agree to:
- Complete or provide data on your energy usage for completion of the Energy Star Home Energy Yardstick or equivalent;
- Grant access to your utility and fuel consumption data to the Department of Environmental Protection or its designees for 12 months from the date of your loan (not applicable for Renovate and Repair ENERGY STAR Loan); and
- Complete a follow up survey in approximately 12 months from the date of your loan; and
- Agree to permit a Quality Assurance inspection after the work is completed if your project is selected.
You may combine Keystone HELP financing with any type of utility, manufacturer or other rebate.
Who Can Perform the Work?
Only Keystone HELP® Approved Contractors may perform the work. Click here or call (888) 232-3477 to find Approved Contractors in your area. If you would like to use a contractor who is not currently approved, have them contact AFC First to inquire about becoming an Approved Contractor.
There are three levels of contractors and one level of energy auditor certification under the program. Please note that Keystone HELP does not endorse any particular contractor, but maintains a directory of contractors who have applied and been authorized to participate in the program at these different levels. While the contractors in our directory have been screened and qualified to the best of our ability, you will be entering into a direct relationship with the contractor of your choice and it is important that you review their credentials, qualifications and references to make an informed decision.
Approved Contractors have been reviewed for financial and ethical stability and are currently authorized to perform work under all loan programs except the “CAPP” and “Whole House Improvement Loan” programs.
Trained Contractors are Approved Contractors who are not BPI (Building Performance Institute) certified or accredited but have undergone additional training on building science and “Whole House” energy improvements (including RESNET certification or satisfactory completion of the Keystone HELP sponsored “Home Performance 101” course), and are currently authorized to perform work under all loan programs. If they are performing work under the “Whole House Improvement Loan” program, they must be working under a Certified Auditor who provides on-site oversight of their work.
Certified Contractors are Approved Contractors who have achieved BPI (Building Performance Institute) certification or accreditation. BPI is the nationally recognized designation for building and energy professionals who have undergone rigorous training on “Whole House” energy improvements. Certified Contractors are authorized to perform work under all loan programs.
Certified Auditors are Approved Contractors certified by BPI (Building Performance Institute) and RESNET (Residential Energy Services Network) to conduct home energy audits. Certified Auditors may work independently from your contractor or they may be Certified Contractors who have also met the qualifications to perform as Certified Auditors.
You may have a contract with only one Approved, Trained or Certified Contractor for the unsecured loan programs. Multiple Approved, Trained or Certified Contractors are permitted under secured loan program. Approved, Trained or Certified Contractors are permitted to use sub-contractors in the normal course of their business, providing that your contract for work is only with an Approved, Trained or Certified Contractor. You may, however, enter into a separate contract with a Certified Auditor for a home energy audit.
What Improvements are Eligible?
How Do I Get a Keystone HELP Energy Efficiency Loan?
Important Considerations Before You Apply
If your home is 50 years old or less you are automatically eligible to apply for a loan under this program. If your home is older than 50 years and you are making exterior improvements to your home (such as windows), your project may need to be reviewed by the State Historic Preservation Office before you may apply. To get your project reviewed by the State Historic Preservation Office, you must submit a completed “Request to Initiate Consultation” form to the PA Historical and Museum Commission. AFC will be able to assist you in this process.
Unsecured Loan for
ENERGY STAR or ADVANCED PERFORMANCE |
- Apply online, by phone at (888) 232-3477, by fax at (610) 433-7488 or complete the application and give it to your Approved Contractor for submission. We’ll have a quick decision on your loan application, and are happy to answer any of your questions.
- Complete the Home Energy Yardstick on our website or provide us or your contractor with how much energy you used and how much you paid for energy for the past 12 months so we can complete the Yardstick for you.
- Get an estimate for qualifying improvements from your Approved Contractor and sign the Keystone HELP Specification Sheet your Approved Contractor will provide you that details the qualifying improvements.
- Sign the Keystone HELP® Loan Agreement, utility bill release form, and auto-payment authorization provided to you.
- When the work is done to your satisfaction, sign the Completion Certificate your Contractor will provide you.
- We’ll call you to confirm and pay the contractor upon your authorization.
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Unsecured Loan for
Energy Improvements with Air Sealing (CAPP) |
- Have a Blower Door Test, conducted to BPI standards, by a Certified Contractor or Auditor
- Apply online, by phone at (888) 232-3477, by fax at (610) 433-7488 or complete the application and give it to your Certified Contractor for submission.
- We’ll have a quick decision on your loan application, and are happy to answer any of your questions.
- Complete the Home Energy Yardstick on our website or provide us or your contractor with how much energy you used and how much you paid for energy for the past 12 months so we can complete the Yardstick for you.
- Get an estimate for qualifying improvements from your Certified Contractor and sign the Keystone HELP Specification Sheet your Contractor will provide you that details the qualifying improvements.
- Complete the CAPP Checklist with your contractor to ensure that your project has
attained the minimum number of points required.
- Sign the Keystone HELP® Loan Agreement, utility bill release form, and auto-payment authorization provided to you.
- A Certified Auditor will conduct a post-construction Blower Door Test.
- When the work is done to your satisfaction, sign the Completion Certificate your Contractor will provide you.
- We’ll call you to confirm and pay the contractor upon your authorization.
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Secured Loan for
WHOLE HOUSE IMPROVEMENT |
- Apply online, by phone at (888) 232-3477, by fax at (610) 433-7488 or complete the application and give it to your Approved Contractor for submission.
- We’ll have a quick decision on your application, and are happy to answer any of your questions.
- Complete the Home Energy Yardstick on our website or provide us or your contractor with how much energy you used and how much you paid for energy for the past 12 months so we can complete the Yardstick for you.
- Obtain your energy audit from a Certified Auditor and select improvements from those recommended. (To be eligible your energy audit must recommend and you must install improvements that predict a minimum 25% reduction for an initial HERS index greater than 100 or a minimum 15% reduction for an initial HERS index of 100 or lower.)
- Get an estimate for selected qualifying improvements from a Certified Contractor or a Trained Contractor working under the supervision of a Certified Auditor and sign the Keystone HELP Specification Sheet your Approved Contractor will provides you that details the qualifying improvements.
- We will send you disclosure information and a closing agent will come to you at a mutually convenient time and location to close your loan and have you sign the utility release form.
- A Certified Auditor will conduct a post-construction audit.
- When the work is done to your satisfaction, sign the Completion Certificate your Contractor will provide you.
- We’ll call you to confirm and pay the contractor upon your authorization and send you a check for $325 toward the cost of the audit.
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