Heat pump loan procedures

Here's the way it will work:

1. Fill out the loan application we send you and return it to us. We will send you a contractor packet after your loan has been approved.
2. Call your choice of contractors from the list we send to arrange for bids. We suggest, but do not require, that you get more than one bid. This is to protect you from paying more than necessary. 
3. Review the standard bid forms the contractors submit to you, which should clearly outline the portion of the job eligible for utility financing, the amount the utility will finance and any extra costs not eligible for financing. 
4. Select a contractor and sign the contractor's bid form and any other forms we have included in your information packet. Bring these signed forms to our energy conservation office at 100 Columbia Way in Vancouver. 
5. Sign the necessary loan paperwork at our offices. You can pay the loan set-up fee at that time or opt to have it included in your loan. We'll then authorize your chosen contractor to begin work. (If two of you apply for a loan together, both of you must sign the paperwork.) 
6. The contractor will contact you to arrange for work to be done. The work should be completed within 90 days of authorization unless otherwise arranged between you and the utility. 
7. After work is completed, the contractor will submit a compliance certificate to the utility. An energy counselor will contact you to schedule an inspection of the completed work. (NOTE: Manufactured homes also may be inspected by the state Department of Labor and Industries.) 
8. Once we've determined the job was done correctly, we'll pay the contractor for the eligible measures and your loan will be activated.
   

If you have questions about this program or about home energy conservation in general, please call us at (360) 992-3355 or e-mail us.