Duluth Comfort Systems - Residential Energy Efficiency Loan Program

Duluth residents can borrow up to $30,000 (or $15,000 per rental unit) at 4.9% interest over 10 years for energy improvements like furnace replacement, insulation, air sealing, water heaters, and lighting—but only if a free energy analysis shows the improvements will pay for themselves in 20 years or less. You'll need to provide two written bids from contractors, have adequate home equity for a lien/second mortgage, and arrange for automatic loan payments from your checking account. Contact Duluth Comfort Systems at 218-730-4050, www.comfortsystemsduluth.com, or Courtney Gallo at 218-730-4025 to get started.

You can serve Duluth homeowners seeking energy improvements financed through this program by providing written bids for qualifying projects—furnace replacements, insulation, duct sealing, water heaters, and lighting work are common. All proposed work must pass a payback analysis showing 20-year or less energy savings; the homeowner will arrange two competing bids and submit them to the city for loan approval. Note that replacement windows and siding do not qualify, and the city will place a lien on the property as security.

This Duluth city loan program lends up to $30,000 per owner-occupied home or $15,000 per rental unit at 4.9% fixed rate over 10 years to natural gas customers of Duluth Public Works & Utilities for energy improvements meeting a 20-year payback threshold. Program mechanics: applicants must obtain a free energy analysis (or advanced analysis from Northern Energetics or Ecolibrium3), submit two contractor bids, and qualify based on home equity for a property lien/second mortgage. Target demographic is Duluth residents only; eligible improvements include HVAC, insulation, air sealing, water heating, and lighting—but exclude windows and siding. Loan payments require automatic bank deduction.