MANHATTAN, Kan. -- A new, $34 million initiative will make low-interest loans available for improvements to existing homes and small businesses in Kansas.
The Efficiency Kansas loan program was developed by the State Energy Office, a division of the Kansas Corporation Commission, using federal stimulus dollars that are part of the American Recovery and Investment Act, said Bruce Snead, Kansas State University Research and Extension energy specialist.
Efficiency Kansas is designed as a public-private partnership - Kansans access financing through private-sector partner lenders and utilities. The program also generates business for energy auditors and local contractors.
The program will also benefit the community as a whole via reduced energy use and environmental impact, Snead said. Although savings will vary, on average, the energy efficiency improvements will reduce annual energy costs by 20 percent.
After getting pre-qualified by a partner lender (or utility), prospective borrowers are required to have an energy audit performed by an auditor selected from the list of Efficiency Kansas qualified auditors.
Following a comprehensive inspection of the home or small business, the energy auditor provides the customer with a customized Energy Conservation Plan that identifies options for cost-effective improvements. Such improvements might include adding insulation, sealing around doors and windows, or replacing heating and cooling equipment.
Efficiency Kansas will finance up to $20,000 for approved projects in existing homes and up to $30,000 for approved projects in small commercial and industrial structures (using residential-sized heating and air-conditioning equipment).
To learn more about Efficiency Kansas, interested persons are encouraged to visit www.efficiencykansas.com or call 1-877-448-3185.
