Louisiana

Information provided the Database of State Incentives for Renewables and Efficiency (DSIRE)

Summary: The Home Energy Rebate Option (HERO) Program is offered by the Louisiana Department of Natural Resources (DNR) for residents to receive cash rebates for energy efficient improvements to existing homes. The actual amount of the incentives depends on the resulting energy savings. The rebate amount is either 20% of the cost of energy efficiency improvements or 20% of the present value of energy saved by the improvements over the useful life, whichever is less. Any homeowner of an existing home is eligible to apply under this program.  
 
All applications must be submitted prior to the start of any renovation. The homeowner contacts a certified home energy rater listed on the Louisiana DNR site and, pending funding, gets a preliminary rating containing proposed improvements. In order to receive the rebate, the improvements must increase the energy efficiency of the home by at least 30%. After the home has been rated, the homeowner must make the improvements within six months. Following a final verification rating by the home rater, the HERO Program will issue a rebate to the homeowner.

Links:

• HERO Website

Summary: Through the HELP program, administered by the Louisiana Department of Natural Resources, homeowners can get a five-year loan to improve the energy efficiencies of their existing homes. This is accomplished by DNR subsidizing one half of the financing for energy efficiency improvements at a low interest rate to participating lenders, up to a maximum DNR participation of $6,000. Each participating lender sets its own maximum loan amount of participation, along with the interest rate that is charged to the homeowner. A homeowner may qualify for an energy improvement loan in two ways – either through an energy audit in which an Energy Home Rater makes recommendations, or by choosing pre-approved home improvements as designated by the program.  
 
In order to participate, a homeowner must contact a participating lender directly to complete a credit application. The HELP home improvement loans may be consumer loans or second mortgages at the discretion of the participating lender.  
 
The list of participating lenders and pre-approved improvements is listed at the program website.

Links:

• HELP Website

Last Updated 06/22/2009

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