1. Homeowners: Login to your utility account or call Customer Operations at 850-891-4968 to start. We can schedule an energy audit if needed, prescreen for loan eligibility and begin your loan file. Information to have ready:
   • Name on utility account and your account number
     
   • Phone number and email address
     
2. We will send you a preliminary Loan Terms-and-Policies document to be signed and returned.
   
3. Get contractor proposals for loan program installations. Installing contractors must show their Florida License # on proposals. You are not required to get competing bids or take the lowest bid. Getting several bids is advised but not a loan program requirement.
   
4. Send copies of your current Deed and contractor proposal(s):
   
   • Send a copy of your current recorded Warranty Deed or Quit Claim Deed (with Attachment A if applicable). We cannot use a Deed printed from the Leon County website that has an “Unofficial” watermark.
     
   • Send your installing contractor’s proposal(s) or any vendor price proposals. Heating and air contractors should include the “Certificate of AHRI Certified Performance” document with their HVAC equipment proposal.
     
     • Our email address:
       YourOwnUtilities@talgov.com
       
     • Our mailing address (this is not the physical location of our office):
       Customer Operations Loan Officer
       300 S. Adams St. #B37
       Tallahassee, FL 32301-1731
     • Our fax number:
       850-891-0901 (Attention: Loan Officer)
       
   • We may ask for a Marriage License or a Divorce Decree to document a name change; or a Death Certificate for deceased persons named on your current Deed.
     
   • You can call Leon County Clerk of Courts at 850-577-4050 to get a copy of your Deed faxed to you for a small fee.
     
   • Let your chosen contractor know that you’re applying for the City’s energy-efficiency loan. Don’t have work started until after you sign the Loan Promissory Note and the loan is formally approved.
5. Our loan officer prepares the loan application for you over the phone! We’ll email or mail the Loan Terms and Policies and Bankruptcy & Foreclosure Disclosure Statements for you to sign. Send back the signed documents.
   
6. Next, our loan officer prepares your Loan Promissory Note and contacts you when it’s ready for notarized signing.
   
7. Signing the Note: To sign and notarize the final loan documents, including the Loan Promissory Note, please visit the Frenchtown Renaissance Center at 435 N. Macomb St. Don’t forget to bring a government issued photo identification card to the signing (ex. Driver’s License). Note - Applicants who would rather have their documents notarized elsewhere can do so. Please send a PDF version of the “notarized” promissory note to YourOwnUtilities@Talgov.com.
   
8. Loan Approval: After you sign the Promissory Note, we’ll fax, email or mail Loan Approval confirmations to you and your contractor. Work can begin.
   
9. The City or County inspect the completed work.
   • Heating, air conditioning, heat pump (hybrid) water heaters, solar systems, windows, and most natural gas appliance installations are inspected by City or County Building Inspection in accordance with the Florida Building Code. Note that the Florida Building Code does not address comfort, neatness, cleanup or quality of workmanship.
     
   • For verifications or inspections of insulation, solar screen/film, clothes washers, refrigerators, freezers and pool pumps, please call Customer Operations at
     850-891-4968 or email YourOwnUtilities@talgov.com.
10. Payment release procedure:
    • The City will request the loan payment after a passed inspection.
      
    • The City’s payment will be made directly to the installing contractor, unless some other arrangement has been approved in writing by the City. The payment to contractor will be made with 30 days after receipt of both 1) a passed inspection, and 2) City receipt of the installing contractor’s invoice for payment.
      
    • As noted in #9a above, passing a Building Code inspection does not ensure quality of workmanship. Nevertheless, the City will release payment after a passed inspection. It is a contractor’s responsibility to satisfy his or her customer and provide quality work.

1. Loans are not available for any measures that are installed before the Promissory Note is signed.
2. Current terms: No down payment. 5-year term. 5% interest. 1% processing fee. No penalty for early payoff. 10-year term for solar measures. 10-year term for Historic Homes measures. Recording fees (varies).
3. Minimum loan amount is $500; maximum amount is $10,000, including documentary stamps, recording fees and 1% processing fee. (For solar PV, the maximum loan amount is $20,000 but with a restriction. No other loan measures can be bundled with solar.)
4. A City energy audit is required prior to certain loan measures: Windows, solar, and ceiling insulation.
5. The customer chooses his or her installing contractor. The City does not recommend, endorse or certify contractors, nor does it warrant or otherwise guarantee their work. Installing contractors must pull applicable permits, pass required inspections, and invoice the City for completed work in the Loan Program.
6. Loan payments are billed on the monthly utility bill.
7. The minimum monthly loan payment is $25 per month.
8. The loan is recorded and secured with a property lien.
9. Applicant must provide a copy of the recorded Warranty Deed or Quit Claim Deed (not a Contract for Deed, not an Agreement for Deed) showing real property ownership.
10. All owners named on the Deed must be on (or added to) the utility account, and all owners must sign both the loan application and the Loan Promissory Note.
11. All past due amounts on all of the applicants’ account(s) must be paid before loan approval.
12. No income eligibility requirements. 6-month account history required. Loan applications will be approved or disapproved on the basis of established program criteria, availability of funds, and City of Tallahassee utility payment Credit Ratings of the applicants.
13. Loans are not approved for applicants with Federal Tax Liens on property or bankruptcy declaration, bankruptcy discharge, or foreclosure proceedings within the past 2 years.
14. Loan payments are billed to the property owner’s home address.
15. Loans are not approved for installations at properties outside Leon County or for applicants with a City of Tallahassee utility billing address outside the City’s electric service territory (or outside the natural gas service territory if only that utility is provided).
16. Loan is due upon sale of the property or account name change.
17. Loans are not transferable. Likewise, liens are not transferable.
18. Loans are approved for specific dollar amounts for recommended energy conservation measures meeting City program standards.
19. Customers with an outstanding City loan may apply for a subsequent loan. The subsequent loan has to be for the same property and total loan amount (outstanding plus new) cannot exceed the $10,000 limit. Roof and solar loans are excluded. They must be paid off before the City can process a new loan.
20. No loan for heat pump if replacing a natural gas furnace.
21. No loan for straight cool AC matched with new oil furnace or new propane gas furnace, where natural gas is available.
22. Solar water heating must be FSEC-certified indirect or drain-back system, or qualifying solar-electric PV, and be freeze-protected during a grid power outage: No solar loan if existing natural gas water heater is to be replaced by electric storage/backup water heater.
23. Completion of a special contractor bid/information sheet may be required for certain measures including windows, roofing, and solar.
24. The City will be held harmless from any liability in connection with its approval or disapproval of any loan application or the manufacture, supply or installation of any energy-efficiency measure.
25. If the customer defaults on loan repayments and the City is required to take any action to enforce the terms of the note, the customer shall pay all costs incurred by the City for such enforcement, including reasonable attorney’s fees, including the costs and attorney’s fees incurred as a result of any appellate proceedings.
26. The City reserves the right to revise these policies and to approve or disapprove loans in the best interest of the City.
27. The City’s loan payments are made to installing contractors and sent to contractors up completion of work, a passed inspection, and after the City is invoiced by the contractor.

Note: Specialized loan terms and measures exist for Tallahassee’s designated Historic Properties. Please call Customer Operations at 891-4968 if you would like more information.

Rebates are subject to change.

Some loan measures may also qualify for City of Tallahassee rebates. Visit the Rebates section of Talgov.com to view and download all rebate applications. Solar PV and solar water-heating systems can qualify for 30% Federal tax credits. And Federal rebates for energy-efficient electric appliances were approved in 2022 within the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA). Qualification for these will be income-based. In late January 2023 the IRA rebates are still being developed. For more information, visit EnergyStar.gov.

Note: The City of Tallahassee’s loan and rebate eligibility criteria for air-source heat pumps and air conditioners are now updated to new 2023 EPA ENERGY STAR minimum efficiency criteria. Based on a revised equipment testing protocol, the efficiency terminology for these HVAC types is changed in 2023 to “SEER2”, EER2” and “HSPF2”.

However, in the City’s loan program a transitional grace period will allow air-source equipment types to qualify at last year’s ENERGY STAR efficiency standards until June 1, 2023. Last year’s ENERGY STAR loan criteria for air-source Straight-Cool AC were: SEER 15.0 and EER 12.5 for Split and Mini-Split systems; and SEER 15.0 and EER 12.0 for Package Systems. Last year’s ENERGY STAR loan criteria for air-source Heat Pumps were: SEER 15.0, EER 12.5, and HSPF 8.5 for Split and Mini-Split systems; and SEER 15.0, EER 12.0 and HSPF 8.2 for Package Systems. Last year’s and this year’s system ratings are listed online in the current Air Conditioning, Heating, and Refrigeration Institute (AHRI) Certification Directory.

Ceiling Insulation

Install up to an R-49 level of ceiling insulation.

Loan Program Minimum Requirements

An energy audit is required before application.

Available City of Tallahassee Grants

80% Grant - For blown fiberglass or loose cellulose installed by a participating local contractor, the City’s grant program pays 80% of installed cost up to $400. An energy audit is required prior to obtaining the grant and/or loan.

Clothes Washer

ENERGY STAR certified models use less water and less electricity.

Loan Program Minimum Requirements

Must be ENERGY STAR certified

Available City of Tallahassee Rebate

$100 Rebate - For new washer meeting ENERGY STAR standard

Ductwork

Test, seal, insulate, repair or replace your ductwork.

Loan Program Minimum Requirements

Duct modifications must be accomplished by a licensed HVAC contractor. Duct sealing is done using a long-lasting paste called mastic or the Aeroseal (or “Truseal”) process developed by Lawrence Berkeley National Lab/U.S. Dept. of Energy.

Electric Vehicle Home Charging Station

Install a charging station in your home for an electric vehicle. Please call Customer Operations at 850-891-4968 if you’d like more information.

Loan Program Minimum Requirements

240-volt Level 2 Electric Vehicle Supply Equipment (EVSE)

Floor Insulation

Improve the thermal barrier under your floor.

Loan Program Minimum Requirements

Minimum R-11 fiberglass batts or foam insulation.
An energy audit is recommended

Heat Pump

A “reversing” air conditioner that provides all-electric heating and cooling. Conventional air-source heat pumps are usually equipped with backup electric heat-strips (electric resistance heat strips) for supplemental or emergency heating.

Loan Program Minimum Requirements

Split & Mini-Split Systems - SEER2 15.2, EER2 11.7, HSPF2 7.8
Package Systems - SEER2 15.2, EER2 10.6, HSPF2 7.2

Available City of Tallahassee Rebates

$100 Rebate - Same minimum requirements as above for loan program.
$350 Rebate - Minimum requirements for split and mini-split systems are SEER2 17.1, EER2 12.0, and HSPF2 8.0. Minimum requirements for package systems are SEER2 15.2, EER2 11.0, and HSPF2 7.8.

Heat Pump Water Heater

Enjoy high-efficiency electric water heating using heat pump technology. These are also known as “hybrid” water heaters. Note that loans/rebates are unavailable if replacing natural gas water heating.

Loan Program Minimum Requirements

Must be ENERGY STAR certified

Available City of Tallahassee Rebate

$300 Rebate - You automatically qualify for this rebate when going through the loan program.

Natural Gas Combination Appliance

Also known as “hydroheat” or “Apollo System” (a 1980’s brand name), combination appliances use a larger capacity natural gas water heater to heat the entire house, as well as the water. It’s efficient, effective and warm.

Loan Program Minimum Requirements

.76 recovery efficiency

Available City of Tallahassee Rebate

$1,375 Combination Rebate ($700 Furnace + $675 Water Heater Rebates) - For new complete, system (water heater, hydronic loop, valves, controls)

Natural Gas Dryer

Dry clothes faster with less wrinkling.

Loan Program Minimum Requirements

Installation permit/inspection for replacing electric/propane
Permit/sticker for replacing natural gas

Available City of Tallahassee Rebates

$200 Rebate - Replacing electric/propane
$150 Rebate - Replacing natural gas

Natural Gas Fire Logs

Choose vented or unvented fire logs.

Loan Program Minimum Requirements

American Gas Association approved

Available City of Tallahassee Rebate

$50 Rebate - Installation permit/inspection required

Natural Gas Furnace

This heats fast, and the air is hot. Cats love the warmth.

Loan Program Minimum Requirements

AFUE 80%

Available City of Tallahassee Rebates

$700 Rebate - Replacing non-gas heating
$350 Rebate - Gas-to-gas furnace replacement

Natural Gas Grill

This applies to outdoor grills, which are great for summer cooking.

Loan Program Minimum Requirements

American Gas Association approved
First-time installations with newly extended gas piping require permit and inspection

Available City of Tallahassee Rebates

$100 Rebate - For first-time installation or replacing electric or propane grill
$75 Rebate - For replacing a natural gas grill

Natural Gas Outdoor Lighting

Gas lamps give pleasant, amber illumination. In addition to great ambiance, they don’t attract insects!

Loan Program Minimum Requirements

American Gas Association approved

Available City of Tallahassee Rebate

$50 Rebate - Each light

Natural Gas Pool or Spa Heater

Use natural gas to effectively heat your pool or spa.

Loan Program Minimum Requirements

American Gas Association approved
Installation permit/inspection required

Available City of Tallahassee Rebates

$450 Rebate - For first-time installation or replacing electric or propane heater
$250 Rebate - For replacing a natural gas heater

Natural Gas Range

This provides fast heat with accurate control.

Loan Program Minimum Requirements

Electronic ignition

Available City of Tallahassee Rebates

$200 Rebate - Replacing electric/propane
$150 Rebate - Replacing natural gas

Natural Gas Vehicle Fueling Appliance

Installing a home fueling station for a Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) vehicle? At the City of Tallahassee’s current residential natural gas rate, including taxes, CNG fueling is comparable in cost to buying gasoline for about $1.71/gallon (including tax and the electric cost of natural gas compression.) This is a new loan measure. Call Customer Operations at 850-891-4968 if you’d like more information!

Loan Program Minimum Requirements

American Gas Association (AGA) certified equipment required
Installation by a qualified contractor
Electric and gas permits and inspections required

Natural Gas Vented Space Heater

Newer models can be surprisingly effective – even luxurious.

Loan Program Minimum Requirements

American Gas Association approved
Minimum AFUE 63%

Available City of Tallahassee Rebate

Call Customer Operations at 850-891-4968. Some models qualify for “gas furnace” rebates in proportion to size.

Natural Gas Water Heater

Powerful and long-lasting, conventional natural gas water heaters operate for significantly less cost than conventional electric (about 40% less if tank-style and 60% less if tankless).

Loan Program Minimum Requirements

EF .58 if tank-style; EF .82 if tankless

Available City of Tallahassee Rebates

$675 Rebate - Replacing electric/propane
$300 Rebate - Replacing natural gas

Refrigerator, Freezer, Dishwasher

Loans and rebates are for full-sized appliances.

Loan Program Minimum Requirements

Must be ENERGY STAR certified

Available City of Tallahassee Rebates

$75 Rebate - Refrigerator
$40 Rebate - Freezer
$40 Rebate - Dishwasher

Solar Photovoltaic (PV) System

Use the sun’s free energy to generate electricity. Net metering gives you kWh credits for electricity you export back onto the City’s grid. Loan limit is $20,000; term is up to 10 years.

Loan Program Minimum Requirements

An energy audit is required
FSEC listed/certified panels
Net-metering
Other design requirements apply

Solar Screens/Solar Films

These reduce summer heat transfer through windows and sliding glass doors.

Loan Program Minimum Requirements

Minimum shading coefficient 50%
An energy audit is recommended

Solar Water Heating (household or pool)

Heat water using the sun’s free energy. Up to a 10-year loan term is offered for solar domestic water heating.

Loan Program Minimum Requirements

Freeze-protected even during an electric grid power outage
FSEC certified indirect or drain-back systems or qualifying solar-electric PV designs
An energy audit is required

Available City of Tallahassee Rebate

$450 Rebate - for solar domestic water heating (not pool heating)

Standby Electric Generator

Provide emergency household power using a fueled electric generator.

Loan Program Minimum Requirements

Permanent installation, not portable
Transfer switch (manual or automatic)
Permitted and inspected

Straight Cool AC

Long lasting, cooling-only central air conditioning looks identical to a heat pump but has no internal reversing valve. Thus, it doesn’t heat; it only cools. Straight Cool AC systems are typically paired with conventional gas furnaces for heating.

Loan Program Minimum Requirements

Split & Mini-Split Systems - SEER2 15.2, EER2 12.0
Package Systems - SEER2 15.2 and EER2 11.5

Available City of Tallahassee Rebates

$100 Rebate - Same minimum requirements as above for loan program.
$350 Rebate - Minimum requirements for split and mini-split systems are SEER2 17.1, EER2 12.0.

Variable-Speed Pool Pump

Get higher-efficiency pool pumping.

Loan Program Minimum Requirements

Must be ENERGY STAR certified
Must be variable speed, not 2-speed

Available City of Tallahassee Rebate

$200 Rebate - Must be ENERGY STAR certified and variable speed, not 2-speed

Wall Insulation

Improve the thermal barrier within your external walls.

Loan Program Minimum Requirements

Minimum R-11 wall insulation
An energy audit is recommended

Water Irrigation System

Smart systems save water and electricity.

Loan Program Minimum Requirements

Smart controls (which respond to real-time weather) are recommended. Please call Customer Operations at 850-891-4968 if you’d like more information.

Water-Source Heat Pump, Closed Loop

Also known as a “geo-source,” “geothermal” or “ground-source” heat pump, it takes heat from the earth, is quiet, has high efficiency and offers a low operating cost. This technology dries the air particularly well – a welcome feature in Tallahassee’s famously damp climate. Installation costs are higher than those for conventional air-source heat pumps.

Loan Program Minimum Requirements

EER 17.1, COP 3.6

Available City of Tallahassee Rebate

$750 Rebate - You automatically qualify for this rebate when going through the loan program.

Windows, Sliding Glass Doors, French Doors

Replace single pane or low R-value double pane.

Loan Program Minimum Requirements

Windows must be ENERGY STAR certified (at Southern ENERGY STAR standards)
An energy audit is required

 

1. What rebates are available?
   Visit Talgov.com/YOU for electric, gas and solar appliance rebate updates and applications.
2. Is a City home energy audit required?
   Audit required for solar, windows & ceiling insulation measures.
3. Am I required to get more than one contractor bid?
   No, but getting competing bids is recommended.
4. Am I approved for the loan? When will I be approved?
   You are not approved for the loan until after you sign the Loan Promissory Note. You sign the Note (and have it notarized) at the Frenchtown Renaissance Center, 435 N. Macomb St. After review/approval of signed Note, the City’s loan officer will let your contractor know work can begin. The City cannot loan for equipment installed before you sign the Promissory Note and before our loan officer approves the loan.
5. Does the City recommend contractors?
   No. The City of Tallahassee does not recommend, endorse or certify installing contractors, nor does it warrant or otherwise guarantee their work.
6. Will the City’s loan check be mailed to me or mailed to my contractor?
   Loan checks are mailed to your contractor.
7. How do I find out if I’m eligible to apply for a loan?
   Call Customer Operations at 850-891-4968 and ask to speak to a loan officer.
8. After I send back the signed loan terms and policies and disclosure statement, how long does it take to get loan approval?
   Three to five days is typical. Customer Operations calls you to sign a Loan Promissory Note at the Renaissance Building (435 N. Macomb St.). Your loan is approved after you sign the loan Note and it passes review by the City’s loan officer. Our loan officer then notifies you and your contractor that work can proceed.
9. How does a 5% annual interest loan compare to an 8.5% rate (bank home improvement loan) or 18% (credit card)?
   If you borrow $4,000 over a 5 year (60 month) term:
   
   

   Interest Rate	Monthly Payment	Total of Payments
   5%	$75.48	$4,529.10
   8.5%	$82.07	$4,924.15
   18%	$101.57	$6,094.42

10. How much will my monthly payment be?
    At 5% interest, 5 year term (or 10 year term for photovoltaic systems):
    

    Amount Borrowed	Monthly Payment
    $500 to $1,325/5 years	$25 (minimum)
    $2,000/5 years	$37.74
    $3,000/5 years	$56.61
    $4,000/5 years	$75.48
    $5,000/5 years	$94.36
    $5,000/10 years (solar WH)	$53.03
    $7,000/5 years	$132.23
    $10,000/5 years	$188.71
    $20,000/10 years (solar PV)	$212.13