ZILCH Loans

Zero-interest Loans for Conservation Help
You won't pay a cent of interest when you apply (PDF 234KB) for financing for the following home-improvement projects:

• Frequently Asked Questions (PDF 66KB)
• Zilch Brochure (PDF 205KB)
• Take the Chill Off with Zero-Interest Loans for Insulation (PDF 318KB)

Type of improvement	Max % project cost financed	Loan Amount		Fort Collins Utilities customer account	Other requirements	Building permit required?
		Min.	Max.
ENERGY CONSERVATION LOANS					Fort Collins Utilities (970) 221-6394
Electric demand controller	80%	500	1,000	Electric	Not on Hot Shot	yes
Insulation, air sealing	80%	250	750	Electric	None	no
Insulation, air sealing	80%	751	2,300	Electric	10-yr payback (ENERGY SCORE)	yes
Solar space heating or water heating	80%	500	2,300	Electric	10-yr payback (ENERGY SCORE)	yes
Space heating – electric-to-electric efficiency upgrade	80%	500	2,300	Electric	10-yr payback (ENERGY SCORE)	yes
Space heating or water heating – electric-to-gas conversion	80%	500	2,300	Electric	10-yr payback (ENERGY SCORE)	yes
Space heating – gas-to-gas efficiency upgrade	80%	250	2,300	Water, Electric or Wastewater	10-yr payback (ENERGY SCORE)	yes
Water heating – gas-to-gas efficiency upgrade	80%	250	700	Water, Electric or Wastewater	10-yr payback (ENERGY SCORE)	no
Whole house evaporative cooler	80%	500	2,300	Electric	No central A/C, winter cover; roof inspection	yes
Whole house fan	80%	250	600	Electric	No central A/C, sufficient attic venting, winter cover	yes
Window or door upgrades	80%	250	2,300	Electric	10-yr payback (ENERGY SCORE)	yes

Type of improvement	Max % project cost financed	Loan Amount		Fort Collins Utilities customer account	Other requirements	Building permit required?
		Min.	Max.
Water CONSERVATION LOANS					Fort Collins Utilities (970) 221-6394
High-efficiency clothes washer	80%	500	1,000	Water or Electric	Washer must be Energy Star qualified	no
Water service line – between curb stop & shut-off valve	100%	500	2,300	Water	Verification of leak	yes
Air quality LOANS					Natural Resources Department (970) 221-6600
Radon mitigation	95%	250	1,500	Water, Electric or Wastewater	Radon test results of 4 Pico curies or higher	no
Wood stove upgrade to certified wood stove	80%	250	2,300	Water, Electric or Wastewater	Proof of old stove recycling	yes
Wood stove upgrade to pellet stove	85%	250	2,300	Water, Electric or Wastewater	Proof of old stove recycling	yes
Wood stove upgrade to gas stove	90%	250	2,300	Water, Electric or Wastewater	Proof of old stove recycling	yes
Wood fireplace to gas insert	90%	250	2,300	Water, Electric or Wastewater	Proof of old stove disposal/recycling	yes
Wood stove removal	95%	250	500	Water, Electric or Wastewater	Proof of old stove recycling	yes

Printable version of project table (PDF 1.1MB)

To Initiate Loan Process:

• Complete application (PDF 126KB) and return to Utilities.

Eligibility/Loan Amount/Repayment Schedule
All residential electric or water customers who own and occupy the home where the improvement is to be made are eligible. Rental homes are eligible for water service line replacement.

Projects can be combined. The maximum loan amount is $2,300.

Loan costs include:

• $25 loan-processing fee;
• a portion of the project cost; and
• cost of a building permit, radon test or ENERGY SCORE, if applicable.

Repayment schedule:

• $500-$1,000: 24 months
• $1,500: 36 months
• $2,000: 48 months
• $2,300: 60 months