Technology Assessment Division

HELP - Home Energy Loan Program

Low Interest Home Improvement Loans - (This Program was concluded in December of 2023)

Loan Option Through the HELP program, a homeowner can obtain a five year loan to improve the energy efficiency of their existing home. “HELP loans function as standard unsecured underwritten residential loans.  The lender makes and services HELP energy efficiency improvement loans of up to a maximum of $12,000.00 to participants who go through the normal underwriting process.  Qualifying loan improvement measures are provided on a "Prescriptive List of Improvements", found below, from which the borrower selects approved items.  The LDENR loans one half  (½)  of the loan amount, through the lender to the borrower, for up to a maximum of $6,000.00 at 2% interest, regardless of what the lenders market interest rate may be at the time of the loan.  This blended rate (½ the loaned amount @ 2% plus ½ the loaned amount @ market rate) provides a lower overall interest rate than what the borrower could obtain in the market as an incentive for implementing energy efficiency improvement measures.” DNR's maximum participation for half of the loan amount is $6,000.

Homeowners must utilize a lending institution participating in the program. The number of lenders participating is limited. Each participating lender sets its own maximum loan amount, along with the interest rate that is charged to the homeowner. Each participating lender also services the loan for DENR.

Participating Lenders

To participate in the HELP loan program you must be a current resident of the State of Louisiana, and the property on which the improvements are to be made must also be located in Louisiana. View Limits of Participation The HELP home improvement loan may be a consumer loan or a second mortgage, which is determined by the participating lender. Credit worthiness is also determined by the lender. For other questions or assistance, you may call 1-(225) 342-4498.

Qualifying Options for HELP Home Improvement Loans

There are two ways homeowners can qualify for HELP low-interest home improvement loans. They can have an energy rating conducted on their home or they can choose from a list of pre-approved improvements. A HELP Energy Improvement Loan Application is included in this document and includes the pre-approved improvement list.

Energy Rating Option

The prospective borrower can obtain a home energy rating by a Home Energy Rebate Option (HERO) energy rater. All recommendations of the energy rating are eligible for financing under the program. The cost of the energy rating may be financed as part of the loan.

Pre-approved Prescriptive List

The prospective borrower can choose from a list of pre-approved items. Anything on the list is automatically eligible for financing under the program. A list of pre-approved items is linked below.

Prescriptive List

RESNET

For the convenience of our Energy Raters, we are providing the following direct link to RESNET, a national not-for-profit membership corporation, which is the organization that sets standards for building energy efficiency rating systems: http://www.resnet.us/.

Participation History

Click HERE for a graph and table showing the number and value of HELP activity by year.