HomePlus Energy Efficient Home Improvement Loans

What Tax Credits and Incentives are Available?

Click here to apply for your Home Plus Loan

Are you using too much energy in your home? Would you like to replace that aging air conditioner or upgrade your insulation and reduce your utility bills?

If you've answered yes to these questions, then Coastal Electric Cooperative's Home Plus loan program is a clear choice for you.

The HomePlus Energy Efficient Home Improvement Financing Program is designed to help encourage Members to purchase and install Energy Efficient Home Improvements. The loan program enables Coastal Electric Cooperative Members to finance up to $5,500 in Energy Efficient improvements at 0% and an additional $9,500 (if needed) at 7.5% APR*! The loans are made by Georgia Electric Membership Corporation Federal Credit Union which has been serving electric cooperative employees in Georgia for over 40 years.

Some of the eligible items consumers can finance:

• Energy Star rated heating and cooling systems
• Energy Star rated water heaters
• Energy Star rated windows and doors
• Insulation and ventilation for for home attics, walls, crawl spaces and basements
• Weatherization items - weather-stripping, caulking, duct sealing and insulation
• Energy Star rated major home appliances (refrigerators, freezers, stoves, dish washers, clothes washers, etc. excludes entertainment appliances)
• Energy Star rated roof systems

Energy Star requires that the complete heating/cooling system meet requirements.  Not all replacement heat pump systems meet the Energy Star requirements.  Please ask your contractor to adhere to the Energy Star requirements for HVAC systems. 

The Energy Star Specifications for Air Conditioning/Heat Pumps are detailed here:

https://www.energystar.gov/index.cfm?c=airsrc_heat.pr_crit_as_heat_pumps

For a complete list of Energy Star rated systems go to EnergyStar.gov

What are the rates and available loan amounts?

• The interest rate is fixed for the life of the loan.  For loan amounts over $5,501, Members who choose to pay their electric bill via bank draft will receive a loan rate discount of 0.50%.
• Closing cost is a flat $65, payable by check at loan closing.
• Members should speak to their GEMC FCU loan representative for available term options and refer to the loan disclosure for complete loan details and terms.

 How do you get started?

Call Charles Wilkinson, Coastal Electric Cooperative to discuss your project. (912) 977-5940 or (912) 880-2232 or send e-mail .

You can complete an application online.

Who can borrow money?

Anyone who is a Member of, and receives their electricity service from, Coastal Electric Cooperative. The home must be in the state of Georgia. Members of other electric cooperatives may also borrow money if their co-op offers the program.

When and how can customers apply?

First decide upon the improvements and the total amount you need to borrow before applying for the loan. Then complete the online application. Loans are generally approved by the credit union within 24-48 hours upon receiving the completed application. You will be notified by phone by a representative of the credit union. When your loan is approved and closed, you will become a member of the Georgia EMC Federal Credit Union and will be able to take advantage of their full line of financial services.

 What if multiple contractors are involved in the project?

You will need to obtain all of their bids to determine the total funds you wish to borrow.

For example, you may determine you need $5,000 for a HVAC system, $4,000 for windows, and $1,000 for insulation. You should then apply for the total amount needed before moving forward with the project.

 How are loan funds disbursed?

After Coastal Electric Cooperative verifies the completion of the improvements, a closing is scheduled.  The Credit Union issues checks made payable to you and your contractor at the time of closing. If multiple contractors are involved in the project, checks will be issued to each participating contractor. You are responsible for giving the check to the participating contractor(s).

How are loan payments made?

Your loan payment will appear on your monthly Coastal Electric power bill.

Must I use an approved contractor?

Yes. Coastal Electric Cooperative maintains a list of approved contractors who meet our guidelines for participating in the program. Other contractors may be added if they meet the Co-op guidelines.

Heating and Air Conditioning Contractors

Ace Heating and Air, Hinesville, GA (912) 876-2848

Action Heating and Air Darien, GA (912) 437-6243

All Season's Comfort, Inc., Savannah, GA (912) 201-9822

Arnold's Heating and Air (912) 432-0444

Arctic South Heating, Air and Electrical Jesup, GA (912) 427-7022 Ralph Hickox

Baker Heating and Air (912) 462-7444 13499 Highway 301 North, Nahunta, GA

Bennett's HVAC and Electrical, LLC Hinesville, GA (912) 876-8144

Boatright & Associates Brunswick, GA (912) 264-6468

Canady's Precision Air Conditioning and Heating Richmond Hill, GA (912) 756-6688

Coastal Georgia Mechanical, LLC Midway, GA (912) 884-4343 Jeff Collins

Custom Climate, Inc 4191 West Oglethorpe Highway, Hinesville, GA (912) 877-7131

Elite Services - 620 Sea Island Road Suite 399, St. Simons Island (912) 638-5277

Galbreath & Sons Heating, Air Conditioning and Electric, Inc. Richmond Hill,GA (912) 756-3102

Gerralds's Mechanical Services, Inc. Richmond Hill, GA (912) 756-3422

Gibson & Lovell HVAC (912) 756-4822

Indoor Climate Experts of Southeast Georgia, Pembroke, GA (912) 823-3199

Mr. Central of the Coastal Empire (912) 236-2272

N2N Home Repair Hinesville, GA (912) 369-6387- Steve Wiggins

R & K Contractors, Fleming, GA (912) 232-0800 - Richard Strauss

Home Improvement and Insulation Contractors

Energy Experts - (912) 376-3251 Statesboro, GA - Don Martin

Envirofoam Technologies, Inc. (912) 721-2001

Image Design Solutions, LLC. Savannah, GA, (877-298-FOAM (3626)

Michael A. Rogers Pooler, GA (912) 658-6990

White's Southern Energy Solutions LLC (Insulation Contractor)

N2N Home Repair Hinesville, GA (912) 369-6387- Steve Wiggins

Coastal Applies Systems (glass coating and tinting) Hilton Head, SC (800) 952-2725

The Window Man and More (912) 439-1225 12127 Apache Ave., Savannah, GA

1 APR: Annual Percentage Rate. 

2 Interest Rate reflects an interest rate buy-down program made available through the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant Program and Georgia Environmental Finance Authority in conjunction with the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009.

www.governorsenergychallenge.org