Pennsylvania homeowners can improve the energy efficiency of their homes with special Keystone HELP® financing for geothermal systems and other “whole house” improvements using Home Performance with Energy Star. Principally supported by the Department of Environmental Protection, Pennsylvania Treasury Department and the Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency, the Keystone HELP® program helps make affordable energy efficiency available to eligible Pennsylvanians. Keystone HELP is administered by AFC First Financial Corporation, a Pennsylvania energy efficiency lender.
- All installed equipment and material must be new.
- Loans are available only for projects initiated after the program’s effective date.
- An Eligible Applicant is permitted to participate in one Keystone HELP loan program (either geothermal or energy efficiency) during each fiscal year, which is defined as the period from each July 1 until the following June 30. Eligible Applicants may apply for additional loans in future years, as long as the additional projects comply with the published guidelines current at the time of application.
Keystone HELP Geothermal Loan Options
Who is Eligible?
Pennsylvania homeowners who own and are making qualifying improvements to their 1 to 2 unit primary residence located in Pennsylvania are eligible to apply for a loan under the Keystone HELP Geothermal Loan Program. Improvements must be made to owner-occupied dwellings. Work under the “Secured Keystone HELP Geothermal “Whole House” Improvement Loan” must be done on a 1-2 unit owner occupied, deeded property. Applicants must meet the credit eligibility standards of the program. Applicants also agree to:
- Complete or provide data on your energy usage for completion of the Energy Star Home Energy Yardstick or equivalent;
- Grant access to your utility and fuel consumption data to the Department of Environmental Protection or its designees for 12 months from the date of your rebate or loan (not applicable for Renovate and Repair ENERGY STAR Loan); and
- Complete a follow up survey in approximately 12 months from the date of your loan or rebate.
- Agree to permit a Quality Assurance inspection after the work is completed if your project is selected.
Who Can Perform the Work?
Only Keystone HELP® Approved Contractors who have met additional geothermal system installation standards may perform the work. A searchable database will be online shortly. Please call call Tessa Shin or Steve Rothrock at (888) 232-3477 to find Approved Contractors in your area. If you would like to use a contractor who is not currently approved, have them contact AFC First to inquire about becoming an Approved Contractor.
There are two levels of contractors and one level of certified energy auditors who are approved to perform work under the Keystone HELP Geothermal Loan Program. Please note that Keystone HELP does not endorse any particular contractor, but maintains a directory of contractors who have applied and been authorized to participate in the program at these different levels. While the contractors in our directory have been screened and qualified to the best of our ability, you will be entering into a direct relationship with the contractor of your choice and it is important that you review their credentials, qualifications and references to make an informed decision.
Trained Geothermal Contractors may perform work only under Loan Option 1.
Trained Geothermal Contractors have met the financial, ethical and other requirements as Approved Keystone HELP contractors, and have undergone additional training on building science and “Whole House” energy improvements (including RESNET certification or satisfactory completion of the Keystone HELP sponsored “Home Performance 101” course).
A Trained Geothermal Contractor also meets the following requirements , or is working under contract with a firm or individual that:
- Offers a warranty that completed work, at a minimum, must be free of significant defects, be installed in accordance with manufacturer or International Ground Source Heat Pump Association specifications, and must perform properly for a period of at least 1 year from the installation date; and
- Is licensed with the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources by the Pennsylvania Water Well Drillers License Act of 1956 (Act 610 of 1956); and
- Is certified as an Accredited Loop Installer by the International Ground Source Heat Pump Association (IGSHPA); and
- Cooperates in a quality installation program through which geothermal installations may be inspected and system improvements or modifications may be recommended by an independent inspector selected by DEP, Treasury, or its designated investment manager.
Certified Geothermal Contractors may perform work under both Loan Options 1 and 2
A Certified Geothermal Contractor has met qualifications of a Trained Geothermal Contractors. In addition, a Certified Geothermal Contractor has either achieved BPI (Building Performance Institute) certification or accreditation, which is the nationally recognized designation for building and energy professionals who have undergone rigorous training on “Whole House” energy improvements or is listed as an “Accredited Installer” through the International Ground Source Heat Pump Association (IGSHPA), is performing the interior HVAC work, and has entered into a contractual agreement pursuant to which a Certified Auditor will provide on-site oversight of any whole-house energy efficiency work.
Certified Auditors
A Certified Auditor has met the financial, ethical and other requirements as an Approved Keystone HELP contractor, is certified by both BPI (Building Performance Institute) and RESNET (Residential Energy Services Network) to conduct home energy audits and has a HERS rater number, be operating under a HERS provider, or be an approved audit provider under the PA Home Energy Home Performance with ENERGY STAR program. An applicant must have an audit performed by a Certified Auditor to utilize the “Secured Keystone HELP Geothermal ‘Whole House’ Improvement Loan” program. Certified Auditors may work independently from your contractor or they may be Certified Geothermal Contractors who have also met the qualifications to perform as Certified Auditors.
Trained or Certified Geothermal Contractors are permitted to use sub-contractors in the normal course of their business, providing that your contract for work is only with a Trained or Certified Geothermal Contractor. An applicant may, however, enter into a separate contract with a Certified Auditor for a home energy audit.
What Improvements are Eligible?
How Do I Get a Keystone HELP Geothermal Loan?
