The City of Plano offers the Smart Energy Loan (SEL) Program to provide energy efficiency loans to homeowners. In partnership with Credit Union of Texas, Plano provides homeowners with a variety of financing options for energy efficiency upgrades. The SEL loan program will continue to offer future loans as existing loans are paid off.

Eligible properties must be owner-occupied existing residential properties to qualify for this loan program. Other requirements include being current on mortgage and property taxes, no bankruptcy or foreclosure history for the past 3 years, and no voluntary liens currently held on property. (See the Residential Agreement for more details.)

Process

Acceptable energy efficiency design measures are identified by the City’s program standards, Texas HERO Home Energy Checkup, or contractor during a qualifying home energy assessment and presented to the borrower during a home energy advisor consultation session.

A program prerequisite for all SEL loans will be the completion of identified Whole-house Energy Efficiency Package* and a Texas HERO Home Energy Checkup. The HERO Report will identify the home’s baseline rating and assist in prioritizing and completing projects based on energy efficiency improvement, return on investment and existing equipment condition.

Renewable Energy

All applications must achieve at least a 20% energy efficiency improvement (or at least a HERS rating of 85 or better) prior to funding the installation of any on-site renewable or energy generation systems.

*Whole-house Energy Efficiency Package consists of a minimum of sealing ducts, windows, doors and wall penetrations; HVAC tune-up; attic insulation of at least R=38; insulating/sealing recessed lights in ceilings; installation of at least 50% CFL light bulbs and insulating water heater tanks. In addition, the home will need to demonstrate a HERS Index improvement of 10%, while reaching a minimum air leak/penetration of between .36 to .40 ACH (as measured by 2009 IECC, 405.5.2 (1).Home projects can be excluded from the Whole-house Package prerequisite, through achieving a HERS Index of 125 or below (if built on or before 2000) or below 101 (if built after 2000) or if the systems are for an emergency replacement.