New Hampshire Moves Towards On-Bill Financing for Biomass Heating

Two NH electric utilities are now making available on-bill financing of renewable energy technologies, including high efficiency pellet heating systems, at very attractive terms. Public Service of NH and Unitil, which together serve 85% of NH ratepayers, administer a program called Home Performance with ENERGY STAR, that allows high efficiency wood pellet boilers to qualify for on-bill financing under certain conditions. Terms of the financing are 0% interest for up to seven years and up to $7,500. The source of funds for these loan programs is system benefits charges and Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative funds administered in support of energy efficiency programs by the utilities, and funded by electric ratepayers.

More information on the PSNH program is available here and here, and more information on Unitil's program is available here. The PSNH and Unitil programs reflect a very positive trend among electric utilities toward more fuel and technology neutral energy assistance programs for their electric customers.