Jack’s Journal 4/24
Expending Energy to Save
Energy
On the crusade to lower our
utility bills, tried to take advantage of
State
incentives.
First on the list was Energy Efficiency Mortgages – a
Federal incentive administered
by the State.
Found out the Countrywide is
a participating lender, but that this
program is for folks buying a home.
Getting such a mortgage allows them
to buy more house for the same
money. Then I found the Energy Loan Fund
of the State of
Efficiency
(OEE).
That program comes in two flavors – one for
residences and one for commercial
buildings. I looked for
“Participating Lenders” and
found out that National City Bank is the
one lender in
Unfortunately, though, they
are only equipped to handle commercial
loans. The chap they referred me
to is based in
the residential loan program
hasn’t been implemented yet. For the heck
of it I then contacted the
Citizens National Bank of Bluffton
(419-358-8040),
another lender.
Steve Steckschulte there said he could
handle it. His loan application
form rejected our 43560 zip code. He
said just enter the Bluffton zip
code
(45817) and then it worked.
Apply for a regular loan, then apply for a
“Double
Saving Loan for Home Energy Improvements.”
OEE’s web site said I need a
“Participating Contractor” but the only
such companies in
realize they were listed as such,
and none of whom could handle our
next problem – installation of
energy saving windows. Belatedly OEE
told us we do not need a
Participating Contractor for window and
insulation installation as long as the
windows are “Energy Star”. Each
window must bear the seal of the
National Fenestration Rating Council,
an independent certification
organization.
This ends our saga. Found
sources of insulation, windows and CFLs.
Found financing. Furnace
isn’t ready for replacement. Too many trees to
use solar. The buzz is that
natural gas and electricity costs are
heading up. Settling back now see
the results.
Jack MacMillan
Phone: 419.885.1734
macmillan@bex.net