Help My House Loan Pilot Program

The Help My House (HMH) Loan Pilot Program provided on-bill financing (OBF) for energy efficiency upgrades in 125 homes across South Carolina. The program demonstrated that low-interest loans tied to the electric meter could significantly reduce residential electricity use and costs while maintaining high member satisfaction. On average, participating homes reduced electricity use by 34%, with an average annual savings of nearly 11,000 kWh. The pilot's financial model showed that energy savings exceeded loan repayments, providing participants with immediate annual net savings and long-term financial benefits.

• The pilot program successfully implemented energy efficiency measures in 125 homes between June 2011 and February 2012, exceeding its initial goal by 25 homes. The cohort consisted of 53 single family detached homes and 72 manufactured homes.
• Participating homes achieved an average electricity use reduction of 34%, which equates to nearly 11,000 kWh per year. Coincident peak demand savings were 27% during the June summer peak and 46% during the January winter peak.
• The financial structure of the program utilized 10-year loans at a 2.5% interest rate with an average loan amount of $7,684. The average payback period was 6.6 years, allowing participants to pocket an average of $288 per year during the loan term, with projected annual savings increasing to over $1,100 after the loan is repaid.
• The most common technical interventions were air sealing (99%), duct leakage reduction (98%), and attic insulation (91%). Modeling indicated that HVAC upgrades, including duct sealing and the replacement of older heat pumps and electric furnaces, were responsible for the majority of energy savings.

APA

Environmental and Energy Study Institute (n.d.). Help My House Loan Pilot Program. https://www.eesi.org/files/072413_Help_My_House_Brochure.pdf

Chicago

Environmental and Energy Study Institute. Help My House Loan Pilot Program. n.d. https://www.eesi.org/files/072413_Help_My_House_Brochure.pdf.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |author=Environmental and Energy Study Institute |title=Help My House Loan Pilot Program |url=https://www.eesi.org/files/072413_Help_My_House_Brochure.pdf |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{environmentalandenergystudyinstitutendhelp, author = {{Environmental and Energy Study Institute}}, title = {{Help My House Loan Pilot Program}}, institution = {Environmental and Energy Study Institute}, url = {https://www.eesi.org/files/072413_Help_My_House_Brochure.pdf}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }