Energy-efficiency loans for New Orleans homeowners to be available at low interest

A pool of $15 million in low-interest loans will be available to New Orleans homeowners looking to improve energy efficiency and reduce utility bills under a program announced Friday by Mayor Mitch Landrieu. "I am dedicated to help make New Orleans one of America's greenest cities,'' Landrieu said during a news conference where he outlined the "NOLA Wise" initiative to provide thousands of locals with a road map for the home improvement process from start to finish.

After completing an initial home examination to determine how much energy is being wasted, program managers will give homeowners an inventory of suggested upgrades and help secure cash incentives and loans, if needed, to make the changes. Those could include caulking windows, replacing appliances and adding insulation. If an energy savings of 15 percent or more is achieved, homeowners could be eligible to add solar panels.

The program also will provide trained and certified contractors to do the work and monitor their performance. READ MORE >>

via www.nola.com