FHA PowerSaver Loan Program (Federal)

Summary

Last modified on December 17, 2014.

Financial Incentive Program

Place	United States
Name	FHA PowerSaver Loan Program
Incentive Type	Federal Loan Program
Applicable Sector	Residential, Multi-Family Residential
Eligible Technologies	Water Heaters, Furnaces, Central Air conditioners, Programmable Thermostats, Energy Mgmt. Systems/Building Controls, Caulking/Weather-stripping, Building Insulation, Windows, Doors, Comprehensive Measures/Whole Building, Solar Water Heat, Photovoltaics, Wind, Geothermal Heat Pumps
Active Incentive	Yes
Implementing Sector	Federal
Energy Category	Renewable Energy Incentive Programs, Energy Efficiency Incentive Programs
Amount	Varies
Start Date	2011
Maximum Incentive	PowerSaver Home Energy Upgrade: 7,500 PowerSaver Second Mortgage: 25,000 PowerSaver Energy Rehab (203(k)): varies by location (up to 217,500 to 625,000)
Terms	Varies
Website	http://energy.gov/eere/buildings/powersaver-loans
References	DSIREDatabase of State Incentives for Renewables and Efficiency

Summary

Federal Housing Administration (FHA) PowerSaver loans provide three financing options for homeowners to make home energy efficiency and renewable energy upgrades or improvements. FHA PowerSaver financing products are insured by the FHA.

PowerSaver started as a 2-year pilot program in 2011. The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and the FHA developed PowerSaver as part of the Recovery Through Retrofi't initiative launched in May 2009.

Eligible Measures

Eligible home energy upgrades include, but are not necessarily limited to, the following:

• A whole home upgrade through Home Performance with ENERGY STAR
• Insulation and air sealing
• Replacing doors and windows
• Upgrading heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning systems and hot water systems
• Home automations systems and controls (e.g., smart thermostats)
• Installing solar photovoltaic (PV) systems, solar thermal hot water systems, small wind power, or geothermal heat pumps

Availability and Eligibility

For all three PowerSaver products, borrowers must select from a list of approved PowerSaver lenders and locations. PowerSaver products are not currently offered in all states, so all potential applicants are encouraged to first check the program website to ensure product availability in their location.

PowerSaver is available to borrowers with good credit and manageable overall debt.

PowerSaver Home Energy Upgrade—Up to $7,500

This unsecured consumer loan is intended for smaller projects (e.g., insulation, air and duct sealing, water heating, replacing heating and cooling equipment, etc.). It does not require a home appraisal or lien on the property. Single-family homeowners may qualify for the loan if they have manageable debt and a credit score of 660 or higher. Interest rates vary, but typically range from 4.99% to 7.75%. PowerSaver participating lenders, markets, and contact information is available here.

PowerSaver Second Mortgage (Title I)—Up to $25,000

This Title I loan is intended for financing larger retrofit projects, including energy efficiency, PV, solar hot water, geothermal, or other renewable energy projects. A home appraisal or equity is generally not required, but PowerSaver lenders may request it if required by their investor. Borrowers cannot currently have an existing home equity loan, a second lien, or second mortgage to qualify for this product. Interest rates vary but typically range from 4.99% to 9.99%, and the maximum loan term is 20 years. PowerSaver Title I participating lenders, markets, and contact information is available here.

PowerSaver Energy Rehab (203(k))—First mortgage up to FHA loan limits

This 203(k) loan is for home purchase or refinance, targeting either home buyers wishing to combine home improvements with a home purchases or to homeowners wishing to include home improvements when refinancing an existing mortgage. It is FHA-insured up to 100% for a home purchase or refinance, plus the cost of a home improvement project. Current loan limits for a single-unit property vary by area from $217,500 to $625,000 (higher amounts are permitted for two-, three- and four-unit properties); specific loan limits for an area can be found at this website. In order to qualify as a 203(k) PowerSaver loan, at least $3,500 of the home improvements must consist of eligible PowerSaver measures. PowerSaver 203(k) participating lenders, markets, and contact information is available here.

The two types of PowerSaver 203(k) loans are Standard and Streamlined. Standard 203(k) loans are for major improvements, where a home improvement project costs at least $5,000 and includes $3,500 in energy upgrades. The Streamlined 203(k) loans are for minor home improvements, where the home improvement project cost must not exceed $35,000. A HUD consultant is only required for oversight of home improvements for Standard 203(k) loans.

Incentive Contact

Contact Name	PowerSaver
Email	PowerSaver@NREL.gov

• Incentive and policy data are reviewed and approved by the N.C. Solar Center's DSIRE project staff.