STATE COLLEGE (March 29) – Companies who install energy efficient home improvements can learn about a new option to help homeowners throughout Pennsylvania borrow money at low interest rates to purchase energy efficient heating systems and to make other ENERGY STAR improvements to their homes that will conserve energy and reduce heating and cooling costs.
The Keystone Home Energy Loan Program (KeystoneHELP) will be the subject of a workshop at the 2006 Pennsylvania Clean Energy Expo. Contractors must be approved by AFC First to perform work under this special financing program, and companies that attend this workshop can learn more about becoming a certified installer. This workshop will also introduce attendees to equipment partners, which provide specialized clean energy technologies. There are currently over 400 Approved Keystone HELP Contractor/Dealers in Pennsylvania, primarily in the HVAC and remodeling businesses.
In just the two months since its introduction in January, AFC First Financial Corporation of Allentown, the exclusive lender for the program, has made unsecured loans with a 10-year repayment period at 7.99% interest to nearly 200 Pennsylvanians to finance the purchase of over $1 million in ENERGY STAR heating and cooling systems or other energy efficient products. Principally sponsored by the Pennsylvania Treasury Department, the program’s fixed financing rate is an alternative to higher rate credit cards or other financing methods designed to be both consumer- and contractor-friendly.
For loan amounts from $1,000 to $10,000, Keystone HELP requires no home equity, has loan terms of up to ten years and has no closing costs.
The workshop will be held on Thursday, March 30, 2006, from 2 PM – 4 PM in Room A of the Bryce Jordan Center South Annex, University Park, PA. Registration is required. For more information, log on to www.wppsef.org/paexpo/workshops.html#keystone or call toll-free, (888) 232-3477.
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