Iowa Energy Saving Loan Program

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For Developers, Communities & Property Owners
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Lowering the Energy Burden for Iowans

The Iowa Energy Saving Loan Program is a revolving loan fund that helps Iowans save energy and increase building comfort by offering low-interest loans for building energy efficiency upgrades. 

The program has $5,462,028 available for loans at interest rates between 0% and 2%. 

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Eligibility

Eligible borrowers include Iowa-based businesses, nonprofits and public entities that own either:

  • Commercial buildings
  • Affordable multifamily buildings with 20 or more units that participate in either the Section 8, Low-Income Housing Tax Credit or HOME Investment Partnerships programs administered by the Iowa Finance Authority 

Qualifying Energy Efficiency Audit Requirements

Audit requirements vary for commercial and multifamily building types. All qualifying energy efficiency audits must:

  • Be performed by a building auditor certified by a national organization
  • Utilize eligible audit software. The U.S. Department of Energy recommends utilizing Audit Template for commercial and mid- to high-rise multifamily buildings.
  • Recommend lifecycle cost-effective energy reduction opportunities and controls and management systems

Additionally, audits of commercial buildings must:

  • Determine overall energy consumption
  • Identify the peak energy demand and sources of consumption contributing to peak demand
  • Estimate the total energy and cost savings potential for the facility if all recommended upgrades are implemented

Additionally, audits of multifamily buildings must:

  • Use the four Home Performance Assessment evaluation criteria
  • Compare energy consumption to comparable buildings
  • Provide the "Annual Energy & Cost Savings" and "Payback with Incentives" outputs summary from the U.S. Department of Energy's Audit Template

Grant funding for qualifying energy efficiency audits is available through the Small Business Energy Audit Program.

Eligible Upgrades and Retrofits

Eligible upgrade and retrofit measures must be recommended by a qualifying energy efficiency audit, and projects must:

  • Be life-cycle cost-effective
  • Reduce energy intensity or improve control of energy use during peak demand
  • Improve energy efficiency, increase comfort or improve air quality
  • Meet at least one criterion from the Home Performance Assessment (multifamily only)

Examples of Efficiency Measures

Examples of eligible efficiency measures include, but are not limited to:

  • Heating, ventilation and air conditioning
  • Building envelope improvements
  • Lighting upgrades
  • Domestic hot water systems
  • Energy control systems

For full eligibility criteria and program requirements, refer to the Policies and Procedures Guide. 

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Application Process

  • Applications will be available and accepted through IowaGrants.gov.
  • Application window: July 21, 2025 – May 1, 2029 (or until funds are exhausted)

Application Requirements

Application packets must include:

Prior to receiving an award, applicants must attend a virtual interview with the IEDA program manager.  

For more detailed instructions, see the Application Guide. 

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Resources

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