Financing Made Simple: What Homeowners Should Know About The National Energy Improvement Fund (NEIF) Before 2026
As the year winds down, people around the world start looking ahead to things they’d like to accomplish in the new year. For homeowners, this can often mean planning the next big home improvement project.
And while upgrading your home is exciting, it can be an expensive undertaking.
A new HVAC system, solar panels, insulation, doors—these types of upgrades often come with more expenses than homeowners expect.
That’s where the National Energy Improvement Fund (NEIF) comes into play. As a Certified B Corporation™ energy efficiency lender, NEIF helps homeowners across the country turn energy-saving home improvement goals into real, ready-to-start projects.
With 2026 just around the corner, now is the time to start exploring how NEIF can help you make smarter, more affordable upgrades.
Who is NEIF?
NEIF isn’t just your average lender.
With offices in both Allentown, PA, and Denver, CO, NEIF is made up of a team of energy lending experts and innovators who are committed to helping both people and the planet.
NEIF partners with contractors, utilities, manufacturers, distributors, along with state and local governments, to provide transparent, low-cost financing for energy upgrades that improve a home or building’s efficiency, comfort, safety, and health.
Shortly after commencing operations in 2018, NEIF became a Certified B Corp— meaning that it joined a global community of businesses that meet high standards of social and environmental impact. NEIF is also the nation’s only B Corp specializing in energy efficiency lending.
Why Does Financing Matter?
Home energy upgrades can yield big-time savings in the long run, yet more than half of Americans reported in CNET’s 2024 Money Survey that they felt that upfront equipment costs were too expensive to afford.
Putting off upgrades can also become costly fast, as outdated systems often drive high energy bills and require more frequent repairs.
This is precisely why financing plays an important role: it gives homeowners the flexibility to invest in high efficiency equipment now and spread the cost over time.
NEIF makes financing a simple, trusted, and— most of all— affordable process for eligible customers. By offering transparent terms and working with a network of vetted, NEIF-Approved Contractors, NEIF empowers homeowners to confidently move forward with upgrades without the added stress of upfront costs, hidden fees, or complicated repayment structures.
What Can Be Financed Through NEIF?
NEIF financing can support a wide range of energy efficiency upgrades through its EnergyPlus Loan, including:
- Air Conditioning (Central)
- Air Sealing & Insulation
- Electrical Work
- Electric Vehicle Chargers
- Furnaces & Boilers (All fuels!)
- Generators
- Heat Pumps
- Plumbing Work
- And more!
For a full list of qualifying improvements, please visit: https://www.neifund.org/energyplus-improvement-loan/.
NEIF additionally partners with utilities, non-profits, state and local governments, and other organizations to develop and deliver other low-cost financing programs. To discover which financing programs are available in your state, check out: https://www.neifund.org/residential-program-pages/.
2026 is just weeks away, and now is the perfect time to start planning! NEIF financing makes it easier— and more affordable— than ever to get started on home energy upgrades, so that you can take steps toward a more efficient, comfortable, and healthy home today.
Learn more about NEIF financing for homeowners by visiting: https://www.neifund.org/financinghomeowners/.
SOURCES: ENERGY STAR, U.S. Department of Energy