Home Energy Raters
Existing Homes
All buyers or owners who can qualify for any FHA or VA home loans are automatically eligible for the FHA or VA Energy Efficient Mortgage Option. In almost all cases there is no additional down payment and the installed energy improvements will produce a first year Positive-Cash-Flow.
- Determine the energy efficiency of the home with a Home Energy Rating.
- The rater will identify the total cost-effective savings, income tax savings, net profits, the investment required and the return-on-investment.
- Decide what to do - many raters will help prepare the paperwork to be delivered to the lender.
- Have the cost-effective energy improvements installed and inspected.
New Construction Homes
New construction homes are evaluated from plans and a series of on-site inspections. The costs of making the energy improvements can be added to the mortgage loan through an energy improvement mortgage, qualifying homeowners for greater debt-to-income spread, allowing a larger mortgage and a higher quality, energy efficient and comfortable home.
Energy Star® Homes
An ENERGY STAR® Star Home is a home built at least
30% more efficient than the current Model
Energy Code (MEC). You choose what features
will work best for your building process --
experience shows that Energy Star Homes can
be built by following simple, tried-and-true
energy-efficient building practices.
Energy Star Mortgages are available from
select lenders that include cash back at
closing, higher qualifying ratios, assured
appraised values, free interest lock and
competitive interest rates. Builders or
contractors can become ENERGY STAR Partners
by signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU)
-- call 888-STAR-YES or visit
EPA ENERGY STAR Homes Program.