Cash for Comfort is Advanced Comfort & Energy Systems program promoting energy efficient home improvements and providing eligible homeowners with financial assistance through innovative financing programs such as the CHF Home Energy Retrofit Program.

The CHF Residential Energy Retrofit Program provides financial assistance in the form of loans and grants to eligible homeowners for energy efficiency improvements to their homes. The purpose of this program is to upgrade the energy efficiency of existing California housing and create jobs. Loans are accompanied by a 15% grant up to $1,250 for existing homeowners and a $2,500 Grant that can accompany an FHA 203k or Energy Efficient Mortgage to finance energy efficient upgrades in home purchase process. Loan amounts to existing homeowners can be for any amount that meets the calculated energy savings requirements for each individual loan.

This program is for homeowners in CHF Member and Associate Member California counties. The attached map highlights the counties where the program is available. Eligibility is based on the following criteria:

• Property must be in a CHF Member or Associate Member county
  
• Applicant must have a current source of income
  
• Applicant must satisfy income limits, minimum, and maximum (determined by county)
  
• Applicant must be current on their mortgage and property taxes
  
  

Grant funds have been allocated to this program by the California Energy Commission as part of the Federal Stimulus Act. The funds are administered through CHF, a government sponsored entity chartered to help California homeowners improve the affordability and quality of their homeownership. The loan funds come in the form of special financing at a fixed rate of 0 - 3% for a 15 year term - with no equity required, no appraisal and very easy qualifications. The grants that accompany the loans range from $1,250 to $2,500. In addition, special tax credits also benefit homeowners, and loan amounts can be for any amount, $50,000 or more in some cases. Advanced Comfort & Energy Systems is the CHF Residential Energy Retrofit Program technical partner and first approved contractor to perform work under this program.

That's the best part - every homeowner will receive a FREE Home Assessment. The team at Advanced Comfort & Energy Systems will visit your home and perform a comprehensive, state-of-the-art energy assessment which measures the current efficiency of your home's functions. First, they determine any spots where energy may be leaking - such as leaky ducts, joints around windows and doors, and through the walls and ceilings due to poor insulation. Next, they will check the efficiency of the heating and air conditioning systems, the water heater, pool pump, lighting systems and all other elements that can drive energy costs out of control.

Once the assessment is complete, you will be provided a customized report with recommended improvements that will make the most impact for your specific home - including a detailed estimate of the savings, all at NO COST to you!

Improvements can include any or all of the following energy efficiency upgrades:

• Air conditioning and heating systems
  
• Windows and doors
  
• Insulation
  
• Sealing
  
• Plumbing fixtures
  
• Solar Power (after 10% energy efficiency improvements)
  
• Solar Thermal
  
• Cool Roof
  
  

Once it is determined which improvements are to be made, the team at Advanced Comfort & Energy Systems will gather the necessary paperwork, schedule the repair work and manage all of the details to ensure that you get the maximum benefit from all available incentives.

A Home Energy Makeover can cut up to 70% off your monthly utility bills, so don't miss this opportunity to upgrade your home today!

The answer is simple - until the funds are gone. Currently, there are $16.5 million in CHF grant funds and financing available. While that seems like a lot, it will go quickly. Tens of thousands of homeowners from around the state qualify for this program, but there are only enough funds for approximately 2,400 Home Energy Makeovers. Translated, that means approximately 1 in 400 eligible homeowners will be able to participate in the program. Anyone interested in taking advantage of this program should call today!