Reduce your carbon footprint while making improvements to your home
The Energy Saver Home Loan Program (ESHLP) helps eligible Massachusetts homeowners cut their energy use and reduce or eliminate their reliance on fossil fuels. The ESHLP provides eligible homeowners with the following benefits:
- Low interest rate, second mortgage loans that support a variety of energy-related home improvements
- Financing at your project's start. No cash down, no waiting for rebates or incentive payments
- Free end-to-end support through all aspects of the home improvement process, loan closing and post-construction
- Identification and coordination of all available incentives, rebates and other credits
How the ESHLP Works
Interested in financing energy-efficient improvements to your home through the ESHLP? Here’s how it works:
- You contact the Concierge Service Provider (CSP) for your community, who determines your eligibility and connects you with an Energy Service Provider (ESP).
- The ESP conducts a free assessment of your home, works with you to create a plan to reduce your energy usage by at least 20%, and helps you identify all available rebates, incentives and tax credits.
- You engage with a network of pre-approved contractors to obtain quotes for your project. The ESP helps you review quotes and prepare a project budget and schedule.
- The CSP helps you find a lender that serves your area and prepare to apply for the loan.
- Once your loan has been approved and closed, you make your monthly payments to MassHousing, who manages the disbursement of your funds.
Ready to get started? Contact the CSP for your community.
Who is eligible for the ESHLP?
To be eligible for an Energy Saver Home Loan, you must meet several requirements:
- Income Limits: Income limits vary by county and are based on total gross income of all owners listed on your home's deed. View income limits.
- Property Type: Single-family homes and 2-, 3- and 4-family properties in Massachusetts are eligible for the ESHLP. Condominiums and cooperatives are not eligible. Trusts will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis.
- Primary Residence: The home must be your primary residence in order to be eligible for the ESHLP.
If you meet these requirements, you may be eligible for an Energy Saver Home Loan! Contact the Concierge Service Provider (CSP) for your community to get started!
Eligible Home Improvements
ESHLP loans provide flexible financing for a wide range of residential clean energy projects that support emissions reduction and healthier homes. Your Concierge Service Provider (CSP) will review potential improvements as part of the intake and evaluation process.
Eligible homeowners may use Energy Saver loans to finance health and safety improvements such as roof replacement and oil tank removal, home weatherization, electrical system upgrades, heat pumps, new efficient appliances and fixtures, and installation of rooftop solar panels, battery storage and EV charging stations. The program does not fund the installation of new fossil fuel equipment. View a full list of eligible improvements.
To receive financing through the program, home improvements must reduce total energy usage by at least 20%. Your Energy Service Provider (ESP) will discuss options for how to reach this goal.
Forms for Current ESHLP Customers
The documents below are intended for current ESHLP customers.
- ESHLP Program Guide
- Borrower Attestation for Projects with Work Funded Using HEAT Loans or Turnkey Programs
- Borrower Completion and Consent Form
- Borrower Completion and Consent Form (Contractor Only)
- Change Order Request
- Extension Request
- Waiver of Construction Lien & Confirmation of No Outstanding Payments Due Form
Frequently Asked Questions for Prospective Customers
Where can I live to apply for an Energy Saver Home Loan?
Homeowners in every municipality in Massachusetts are welcome to apply for Energy Saver Home Loans, if they
- Meet income limits, which vary by county and are based on total gross income of all owners listed on the deed
- Own a single-family home or 2-, 3- or 4-family residence in Massachusetts. Condominiums and cooperatives are not eligible. Trusts will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis.
- Use the home as their primary residence
Additional eligibility criteria apply. Contact the CSP for your community to learn more.
What is the interest rate on Energy Saver Home Loans?
The interest rate will depend on the borrower's income and will apply to the full amount of the loan covering all selected measures. An example of applicable interest rates is listed in Page 5 of the Energy Saver Home Loan Program Guide. Your CSP will provide additional information about the loan terms.
What steps can I take to speed up my program progress?
- Work with your CSP and lender to complete an early conditional loan approval.
- If your preferred contractor(s) are not on the approved contractor list, please let your Abode Decarbonization Consultant know right away. Abode can work with your contractor to help add them to the approved contractor list.
- Keep in touch with your Abode Decarbonization Consultant. After your site visit, you will have a two-week follow up call scheduled with them. Be sure to join this call to review the next steps. You can expect your Decarbonization Consultant to answer your questions within 1-3 business days.
Can I select my own contractor to perform the work, or do I have to use the suggested contractor?
Contractors must be approved to participate in the Energy Saver Program. You may choose from a list of approved contractors.
If you wish to work with a contractor who is not yet approved, they can apply to participate in the Energy Saver Home Loan Program.
Who are the approved lenders affiliated with the program?
Energy Saver Home Loans are made through number of lenders located across Massachusetts. Your CSP will connect you with a participating lender who serves your community.
What are the minimum and maximum loan amounts for Energy Saver Home Loans?
The minimum loan amount for an Energy Saver Home Loan is $10,000 and the maximum loan amount is $100,000.
Can I combine the Energy Saver Home Loan with other loans?
Yes, the Energy Saver Home Loan can be used with other loan programs.
Who is the Energy Service Provider (ESP) for the Energy Saver Home Loan Program?
The Energy Service Provider (ESP) for this program is Abode Energy Management.
What is a Pearl Home Performance Report? How can it help me when I sell my home?
Each Energy Saver Home Loan project now comes with the nationally recognized Pearl Home Performance Report at no additional cost to you! Pearl's report highlights a home's high-performing features and includes an appraiser's report to support you when you go to sell your home. Learn more about Pearl Home Performance Reports.
Frequently Asked Questions for Homeowners Working on Decarbonization Plans and Choosing Contractors
How will my Abode Decarbonization Consultant help me identify contractors and review bids?
- Your Abode Decarbonization Consultant will help you refine your scope of work for your home improvements. They will discuss opportunities identified at your site visit, and work with you to ensure that the improvements you choose will support your goals for your home.
- They will share the program approved contractor list to help you identify in-network contractors who can install your measure(s) of interest, work in your community, and meet your language preferences. Use the list to find contractors and start gathering quotes.
- As you gather quotes, share them with your Decarbonization Consultant. They will help you review the quotes, provide feedback, and answer any questions you may have in finalizing your project plan.
How quickly can I expect my Abode Decarbonization Consultant to respond to me?
After your site visit, you will work with your Abode Decarbonization Consultant to plan your project. During this time:
- You can expect to hear back within 1-3 business days, with 1-2 days being the targeted response time.
- Your Decarbonization Consultant will let you know if they need more time to research and fully address your questions.
- If you reach out to your Decarbonization Consultant while they are in the field, you will receive an auto-reply email with links to program resources and the contractor network page. If your message is urgent, please contact the Abode Program Team at energysaver@abodeenergy.com or 339-244-9002 and they will work to assist you as soon as possible.
Does the ESHLP support using deposits to hold a date for work with a contractor?
No. For projects that are financed with the Energy Saver Home Loan Program, deposits paid out of pocket by customers to contractors cannot be reimbursed by the ESHLP. The disbursement process and timeline are made clear to contractors when they enroll in the program's contractor network.
Does the ESHLP include contractors who speak multiple languages?
Yes! Visit the approved contractor list and click "languages" to select your preferred language.
Does the program include contractors that can do multiple or all of my chosen projects?
Yes! Visit the approved contractor list, select your county, and
- To find a contractor who can complete multiple measures, select all measures of interest. This will display any contractors who can complete all selected measures.
- If you need support in using the contractor search tool, reach out to your Decarbonization Consultant!
Once I have chosen my contractors and finalized my contracts, how quickly can I close my loan?
Once you have selected final contracts, your Decarbonization Consultant will create your Loan Project Summary and connect you back with your Concierge Service Provider (CSP) for support with the final loan application. After finalizing your loan application, it can take up to 45 days to close your loan with your lender.
When you complete the intake process with your CSP at the start of the program, you can connect with a participating lender for an early stage "conditional approval." Please stay in touch with your lender after this conditional approval and discuss your timeline expectations with them early on. Having conditional approval could help decrease the time it takes for you to close your loan after final loan application. Reference the Energy Saver Home Loan Program Guide (Page 6) for a general timeline.
Frequently Asked Questions for Homeowners with Closed ESHLP Loans
I have closed my Energy Saver Home Loan. What are my next steps?
Your lender and your MassHousing welcome letter will include this guidebook to help guide your next steps. Please reach out to the emails listed in this guidebook if you need support once your loan has closed.
Who can I contact at MassHousing if I need help with my Energy Saver Home Loan?
For support with your Energy Saver Home Loan, please email us at eshlp@masshousing.com.
What steps are needed to make sure my contractor is paid?
In order for a contractor to be paid the final disbursement, the borrower must submit a Borrower Completion and Consent form by email to eshlp@masshousing.com.
- For projects >$3000: Contractors will receive a 1/3 initial disbursement after loan closing and the remaining 2/3 final disbursement after project completion.
- For projects <$3000: Contractors will receive one final disbursement for 100% of the project cost after completion.
- All disbursements will be made in the form of two-party checks provided to the customer.
For any final disbursements to be made:
- Your contractor must complete the Quality Assurance (QA) and Lien Waiver forms provided to them via email by Abode for the project. Your Decarbonization Consultant will review the QA and Lien Waiver, reach out to the contractor with any questions, and approve. Abode will inform MassHousing once a QA is approved.
- You must submit the Borrower Completion and Consent form via email to eshlp@masshousing.com.
Once MassHousing has received QA approval and your Borrower Completion and Consent Form, they will process the final disbursement. To ensure timely payment to your contractor, submit the Completion and Consent Form as soon as possible after project completion to eshlp@masshousing.com.
What is a change order? Why might I need one?
A "change order" or "change in work" is needed when your original scope of work has changed and the contractor increases (or decreases) the total project cost accordingly. Please note that there is always a minimum 5% contingency included in your loan to cover these unforeseen cost increases.
How do I submit a change order? What happens once it is submitted?
- Obtain an updated invoice from your contractor reflecting the cost increase or decrease.
- Complete the Change Order Request accordingly.
- Submit the Change Order Form to MassHousing at eshlp@masshousing.com.
- MassHousing and Abode Energy Management will both review and approve.
Are there any prepayment penalties for paying down my Energy Saver Home Loan early?
There are no prepayment penalties for the Energy Saver Home Loan Program. A borrower can make additional payments to the loan at any time throughout the life of the loan, and the borrower can pay off the entire loan amount at any time prior to the payoff date with no penalties.
What does it mean to "recast" my Energy Saver Home Loan? How can I do that?
Recast of loan: A recast, also known as a re-amortization, is a type of mortgage prepayment where a borrower makes a large one-time payment toward the principal balance of their loan. The lender then recalculates the loan based on the new balance, which results in a new amortization schedule and lower monthly payments. The interest rate and loan term remain the same. Please notify MassHousing by email at HOCustomerservice@masshousing.com or by phone at 888.843.6432 if you want to recast your loan once your final project is completed and before MassHousing closes your escrow account.
An Energy Saver Home Loan customer can recast the loan at no cost. To recast, the customer must apply a sum of $2,500 or higher to the principal balance. This can be from any source: e.g., funds from the escrow account after project completion, rebates/incentives/tax credits. This can be done multiple times throughout the life of the loan if the borrower chooses to do so.
If the borrower would like to recast their loan with these excess funds, they should contact MassHousing Home Ownership Customer Service team at HOCustomerservice@masshousing.com or 888.843.6432.
What can I expect if I refinance my first mortgage?
For questions on what you can do with your Energy Saver Home Loan when you refinance your mortgage, please contact the MassHousing Home Ownership Customer Service team at HOCustomerservice@masshousing.com or 888.843.6432 to discuss your options.
Can I come back to the ESHLP for a second Energy Saver Home Loan?
Yes, customers can come back to the ESHLP for a second time. The process will be similar to the one you completed for your first loan. Customers do not need to reduce their home’s energy use by another 20% when returning for a second Energy Saver Home Loan. Please note, it will be very important for you to review your eligibility with your chosen participating lender early in the process.
To access the Energy Saver Home Loan for a second time, please take the following steps:
- Complete all projects in your original ESHLP scope and ensure that all contractors have received their final disbursements. Abode will then complete a final inspection walkthrough, and your escrow account will be closed.
- Contact your Concierge Service Provider (CSP) to let them know you would like to return to the Energy Saver Home Loan Program. Be sure to contact your chosen ESHLP lender early on to make sure you are eligible to refinance due to the additional ESHLP debt added with the first loan.
- Your CSP will update your intake documentation and connect you with your Decarbonization Consultant at Abode Energy Management to help plan and finalize your second project scope.
How does the ESHLP help me to track my energy use after I complete renovations?
Homeowners who complete their projects can choose to enroll in utility monitoring using the Instapull platform at no additional cost. Instapull utility monitoring will help identify how your upgrades are performing and the impact they are having on energy use and operating costs. MassHousing will cover energy monitoring for three years post-renovations, and you can opt out at any time. Abode will speak with ESHLP customers about this at the site visit follow up conversation, and again when they return to your home after project completion for your final inspection walkthrough.
