
The FHA 203(k) loan program allows homeowners to finance energy-efficient upgrades along with their mortgage, providing a convenient and cost-effective way to make energy-efficient improvements.
This program offers up to a $35,000 loan for energy-efficient upgrades, which can be used for a variety of projects, including solar panel installation and insulation upgrades.
The VA Energy Efficient Mortgage (EEM) program offers eligible veterans and service members a loan amount that's increased by the cost of energy-efficient improvements, making it easier to finance energy-efficient upgrades.
The VA EEM program can be used in conjunction with other VA loan benefits, such as the VA loan guarantee.
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What Is
An Energy Efficient Mortgage (EEM) is a loan product that allows you to finance energy-efficient improvements in your home for favorable terms.
You can combine an EEM with a conventional mortgage, making it a viable option for those looking to upgrade their home's eco-friendliness.
An EEM is sometimes referred to as a green mortgage, a nod to its environmentally friendly focus.
You can roll the cost of the upgrades into your mortgage, making it easier to afford the improvements.
The cost of the upgrades can be financed through an EEM, allowing you to make eco-friendly and money-saving upgrades to your home.
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Types of EEM Programs and Financing
There are several types of EEM programs available, each with its own unique features and benefits. The Federal Housing Administration (FHA) offers an Energy Efficient Mortgage (EEM) program that allows borrowers to finance energy-efficient improvements with their FHA-insured mortgage.
The FHA EEM program can finance a wide range of energy-efficient improvements, including the cost of materials, labor, inspections, and the cost of a home energy assessment by a qualified energy assessor. The maximum amount of the energy-efficient improvements that can be added to the borrower's regular FHA loan amount is the lesser of the cost of the energy-efficient improvements to be made based on a home energy assessment or 5 percent of the home's value.
Fannie Mae's HomeStyle Energy mortgage allows borrowers to finance up to 15% of the home's appraised value for energy-efficient improvements. This can include improvements such as smart thermostats, improved HVAC systems, weatherization, and insulation.
Here are some of the key types of EEM programs and their financing options:
These programs can help homeowners save money on utility bills and improve the comfort and safety of their homes.
FHA Loan Program
The FHA Loan Program is a great option for those looking to make energy-efficient improvements to their home. With a minimum 3.5% down payment, FHA loans are a popular mortgage choice for buyers.
The FHA allows qualified borrowers to fold the additional cost of improvements into their loan amount once it's verified that the projected energy savings will be higher than the total cost of the improvements. This eliminates the need for homeowners to take out an additional mortgage loan to cover the cost of the improvements.
To qualify for the additional funds, lenders will factor in several variables, including the cost of the improvements and the borrower's expected energy savings. You'll be required to have a home energy assessment done to determine the additional loan amount.
The FHA may cover the costs upfront or contribute 5% of the lowest value among the following factors:
- The adjusted property value
- 115% of the median area price of a single-family home
- 150% of the national conforming mortgage limit
The FHA energy package focuses on lowering energy usage to produce a smaller carbon footprint and bigger cost savings. The package lists the FHA's approved home upgrades, including:
- Replacing older appliances, such as refrigerators or washing machines, with energy-efficient appliances that are ENERGY STAR-certified
- Installing upgraded HVAC systems, such as new furnaces, air conditioners or heat pumps
- Replacing your windows with high-performance double- or triple-glazed windows
- Installing renewable energy sources, such as solar panels and water heating or wind turbines
- Making insulation enhancements for walls, floors, attics and basements
- Sealing and weatherization to address issues such as leaks and drafts
- Improving water heating systems with tankless, solar or heat pump water heaters
- Upgrading lighting fixtures with LEDs
- Installing smart energy systems, such as smart thermostats or energy management systems
To qualify for an FHA EEM, you must meet several lender requirements, including satisfying the minimum credit requirement and documentation guidelines, and verifying that the energy-efficient improvements are cost-effective. The upfront price of the energy-efficient upgrades must be less than your expected energy savings over time.
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Eligibility and Requirements
To be eligible for an energy-efficient mortgage, you must meet several lender requirements. These include satisfying the minimum credit requirement and documentation guidelines.
Homeowners must also verify that the energy-efficient improvements are cost-effective. This means the upfront price of the upgrades must be less than your expected energy savings over time.
To qualify, an energy consultant must conduct an energy audit using the Home Energy Rating System (HERS) to measure your current energy-efficiency and estimate your potential energy savings after the upgrades.
The cost of energy-efficient home improvements can include generating the energy rating report and conducting related inspections. This cost can be up to $200, which may be included in the mortgage.
To qualify for an energy-efficient mortgage, you must meet the financial requirements of your mortgage loan type. This includes having a stable income and a good credit score.
Here's a summary of the key requirements:
- Minimum credit requirement
- Documentation guidelines
- Cost-effective energy-efficient improvements
- Energy audit using HERS
- Financial requirements of your mortgage loan type
The FHA Loan Energy-Efficient Mortgage Program allows qualified borrowers to fold the additional cost of improvements into their loan amount once it's verified that the projected energy savings will be higher than the total cost of the improvements.
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To be eligible for this program, you must meet the standard FHA loan requirements and have a minimum 3.5% down payment.
The FHA may cover the costs upfront or contribute 5% of the lowest value among the following factors:
- The adjusted property value
- 115% of the median area price of a single-family home
- 150% of the national conforming mortgage limit
The Energy Efficient Mortgage Loan program is available to anyone who meets the income requirements for FHA's Section 203(b) and is able to make the monthly mortgage payments.
Benefits and Advantages
An energy-efficient mortgage can be a great way to increase your borrowing power, allowing you to cover the total value of your home and the cost of energy-efficient upgrades. This can be especially helpful if you're buying or refinancing a home.
You can borrow more money to cover the cost of upgrades, which can be a significant advantage. This means you can make more energy-efficient changes to your home without having to pay for them upfront.
One of the benefits of an energy-efficient mortgage is the potential for added comfort in all seasons. You'll also enjoy reduced noise and pollution, and overall improved health. Plus, you may see a potential increase in resale value.
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The VA energy-efficient mortgage program has a spending limit of $6,000, so be sure to keep that in mind if you're considering this option. It may take years to fully recoup the costs of your energy-efficient upgrades, but the long-term savings can be significant.
Here are some of the benefits of an energy-efficient mortgage:
- Financing for a variety of “green” improvements
- Able to combine with other mortgage programs
- Save on energy bills
Lenders and Options
You can get an Energy Efficient Mortgage (EEM) through many of the same lenders that offer mortgages, including banks and credit unions.
If you're already working with a financial institution for a loan, ask about whether it offers EEMs. You can also check with your state housing finance agency to see if they facilitate programs for green mortgages. Your state housing finance agency can direct you to lenders that offer EEMs.
Here are some lenders to consider:
- Banks
- Credit unions
Lenders
You can get an Energy-Efficient Mortgage (EEM) through many of the same lenders that offer mortgages, including banks and credit unions.

If you're already working with a financial institution for a loan, ask about whether it offers EEMs.
Many states also facilitate programs for green mortgages, and your state housing finance agency might be able to direct you to lenders that offer EEMs.
You can find your state's housing authority in this Bankrate guide.
Options
If you're looking to finance energy-efficient upgrades, there are different options to consider. You'll need a government-backed EEM for a government-backed loan, for example.
The FHA's EEM program is a great option for those looking to finance energy-efficient upgrades. This program allows you to finance energy-saving improvements, such as replacing older appliances with ENERGY STAR-certified ones.
There are several types of energy-efficient mortgage programs available, including government-backed loans. These programs require a government-backed EEM to qualify.
Here are some of the energy-efficient mortgage options:
The FHA's EEM program allows you to finance a wide range of energy-efficient upgrades, including installing renewable energy sources like solar panels.
Veterans Affairs

The Veterans Affairs Energy Efficient Mortgage is available to qualified military personnel, reservists, and veterans for energy improvements when purchasing an existing home.
The VA EEM is guided by Chapter 7 of VA Pamphlet 26-7 (Revised), which provides lender guidance on this program.
For more information about VA loans, you can visit the VA's website directly.
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Getting a Home and Improvements
The Energy Efficient Mortgage Loan program is available as part of a FHA insured home purchase or by refinancing your current mortgage loan, allowing you to incorporate energy-efficient improvements into your new home or existing housing.
You can borrow up to 15 percent of the home's appraised value to make energy-efficiency improvements, and the estimated savings on utilities can help you qualify for a larger regular loan.
The Joint Center for Housing Studies reported that by considering the amount of monthly savings on utility bills when determining the amount of the mortgage, over 250 thousand more homeowners could feasibly qualify for a home loan.
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You'll have a certain amount of time to hire workers and complete the improvements after the loan closes, usually three to six months.
Here are some benefits and considerations to keep in mind:
- Added comfort in all seasons
- Reduced noise and pollution
- Overall improved health
- Potential resale value
However, there are also some potential drawbacks to consider, such as the upfront costs of the upgrades, which may take years to fully recoup.
Why Get a Home
Getting a home is a big decision, and it's not just about finding a place to live. A common circumstance for an energy-efficient mortgage is when a borrower buys an older property with an energy-inefficient HVAC system.
You can use an energy-efficient mortgage to purchase an energy-efficient home, or to refinance a mortgage to fund energy-efficient upgrades. This can be a great way to save money on energy costs over time.
Older homes often have drafty windows, a malfunctioning furnace, or other structural features that can use energy-saving improvements. A home buyer may use an EEM to purchase an energy-efficient home.
A homeowner may use it to refinance a mortgage to fund energy-efficient upgrades.
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Incorporate Loan Improvements
You can finance energy-efficient improvements through the VA EEM or FHA Loan Energy-Efficient Mortgage Program, which helps lower your monthly utility bills.
The VA EEM is a great way to finance improvements for your home, especially when used in conjunction with other VA loan products. You can make various updates, including installing a solar water heater, adding solar panels, weatherproofing additions, modifying furnace efficiency, adding new insulation, and installing a storm door or windows.
The FHA program eliminates the need for an additional mortgage loan to cover the cost of energy-efficient improvements. You can incorporate the cost of improvements into your new home or existing housing.
To qualify for the FHA program, you'll need to have a home energy assessment done. The FHA may cover the costs upfront or contribute 5% of the lowest value among the following factors: the adjusted property value, 115% of the median area price of a single-family home, or 150% of the national conforming mortgage limit.
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Here are some ways you can incorporate energy-efficient improvements into your loan:
- VA EEM: eligible updates include installing a solar water heater, adding solar panels, weatherproofing additions, modifying furnace efficiency, adding new insulation, and installing a storm door or windows
- FHA program: factors in variables to determine the additional loan amount, including the cost of improvements, to help you qualify for a home loan.
Programs and Financing Options
The FHA offers a variety of energy-efficient mortgage programs that can help you save money on your utility bills. The FHA's Energy Efficient Mortgage program, or EEM, allows you to finance energy-efficient improvements with your FHA-insured mortgage.
You can choose from several EEM loan programs, each with unique features and benefits, and different eligibility requirements. The FHA EEM program is available for site-built as well as manufactured homes.
The FHA Loan Energy-Efficient Mortgage Program requires a minimum 3.5% down payment and allows you to fold the additional cost of improvements into your loan amount. You'll need to have a home energy assessment done to determine the additional loan amount.
The energy package is the central component of the FHA's EEM program, listing approved home upgrades, including replacing older appliances, installing upgraded HVAC systems, and making insulation enhancements. The VA energy-efficient mortgage shares similar requirements and covered upgrades with the FHA program.
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Fannie Mae's conventional EEM terms are the most generous, allowing you to borrow your conventional mortgage amount and up to 15% of the home's appraised value to spend on energy-efficient improvements. Fannie Mae energy-efficient mortgages can finance improvements in energy-efficiency, water-efficiency, and renewable energy sources.
If you're looking for additional financing options, the FHA offers complementary EEM programs or policies, such as combining an EEM with a Section 203(k) rehabilitation loan or financing up to $3,500 for weatherization items.
Here are some of the government-backed and conventional EEM programs available:
Key Takeaways
An energy-efficient mortgage, or EEM, can help you pay for an energy-efficient home or for energy-saving upgrades to a home.
An EEM can cover improvements such as installing energy-efficient appliances, doors and windows or replacing a furnace or water heater with a more energy-efficient model.
The cost of the improvements will determine if an energy assessment is required to qualify for the property.
The assessment is a necessary step to ensure the property meets the necessary standards to qualify for an EEM.
Here are some examples of improvements that an EEM can cover:
- Installing energy-efficient appliances
- Replacing a furnace or water heater with a more energy-efficient model
- Installing energy-efficient doors and windows
Frequently Asked Questions
How does EEM work?
EEMs offer special benefits to homeowners who invest in energy-efficient homes or upgrades, helping them save on utility bills and put more money in their pocket. By providing incentives for energy-efficient improvements, EEMs make it easier and more affordable to own a more sustainable home.
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