{"id":487,"date":"2026-08-04T04:44:17","date_gmt":"2026-08-04T04:44:17","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/thirstier.news\/?p=487"},"modified":"2026-08-04T04:44:17","modified_gmt":"2026-08-04T04:44:17","slug":"ever-heard-of-vas-energy-efficient-mortgages","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/thirstier.news\/?p=487","title":{"rendered":"Ever heard of VA\u2019s Energy Efficient Mortgages?"},"content":{"rendered":"<div class=\"fusion-fullwidth fullwidth-box fusion-builder-row-6 fusion-flex-container nonhundred-percent-fullwidth non-hundred-percent-height-scrolling\" style=\"--awb-border-radius-top-left:0px;--awb-border-radius-top-right:0px;--awb-border-radius-bottom-right:0px;--awb-border-radius-bottom-left:0px;--awb-padding-top:64px;--awb-padding-top-medium:32px;--awb-padding-top-small:18px;--awb-flex-wrap:wrap\">\n<div class=\"fusion-builder-row fusion-row fusion-flex-align-items-flex-start fusion-flex-content-wrap\" style=\"max-width:1456px;margin-left: calc(-4% \/ 2 );margin-right: calc(-4% \/ 2 )\">\n<article class=\"fusion-layout-column fusion_builder_column fusion-builder-column-7 fusion-flex-column\" style=\"--awb-padding-top:1rem;--awb-padding-right:1rem;--awb-padding-bottom:1rem;--awb-padding-left:1rem;--awb-padding-right-medium:4%;--awb-padding-left-medium:4%;--awb-padding-right-small:4%;--awb-padding-left-small:4%;--awb-bg-size:cover;--awb-width-large:56%;--awb-margin-top-large:0px;--awb-spacing-right-large:3.4285714285714%;--awb-margin-bottom-large:20px;--awb-spacing-left-large:3.4285714285714%;--awb-width-medium:100%;--awb-order-medium:1;--awb-spacing-right-medium:1.92%;--awb-spacing-left-medium:1.92%;--awb-width-small:100%;--awb-order-small:1;--awb-spacing-right-small:1.92%;--awb-spacing-left-small:1.92%\">\n<div class=\"fusion-column-wrapper fusion-column-has-shadow fusion-flex-justify-content-flex-start fusion-content-layout-column\">\n<div class=\"fusion-content-tb fusion-content-tb-1 prose\" style=\"--awb-font-size:1.125rem;--awb-line-height:1.5;--awb-text-font-family:var(--awb-typography4-font-family);--awb-text-font-weight:var(--awb-typography4-font-weight);--awb-text-font-style:var(--awb-typography4-font-style)\">\n<p>VA Energy Efficient Mortgages (EEMs) are a valuable\u00a0and often overlooked\u00a0benefit of the VA Home Loan program. <\/p>\n<p>As utility costs rise and many Veterans\u00a0purchase\u00a0homes that need updates, EEMs\u00a0provide\u00a0a practical way to lower monthly\u00a0utility\u00a0bills, improve comfort and reduce long-term expenses.\u00a0Increasing awareness of this benefit\u00a0helps ensure Veterans\u00a0don\u2019t\u00a0miss out on\u00a0a tool that can make homeownership more affordable.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>A VA EEM allows a Veteran to roll the cost of approved energy-saving improvements into their VA-guaranteed\u00a0home purchase or refinancing\u00a0loan. These improvements must be permanent fixtures that reduce energy consumption. This\u00a0allows\u00a0Veterans\u00a0to\u00a0improve\u00a0their home\u2019s efficiency without taking on separate financing or delaying needed\u00a0upgrades. While this will slightly increase their monthly\u00a0mortgage\u00a0payment, the\u00a0additional\u00a0cost is normally offset by a reduction in utility costs over time.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>Veterans may\u00a0choose\u00a0to contact a qualified person or firm\u00a0to conduct\u00a0a home energy audit\u00a0and\u00a0identify\u00a0recommended energy efficiency improvements. In some areas, utility companies\u00a0may\u00a0offer\u00a0this service. The goal is\u00a0to\u00a0help\u00a0Veterans lower utility costs and live in safe, comfortable homes.\u00a0While\u00a0not an exhaustive list,\u00a0the\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.benefits.va.gov\/WARMS\/docs\/admin26\/m26-07\/vap26-7-chapter7-loans-requiring-special-underwriting-guaranty-and-other-considerations.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">VA Lenders Handbook 26-7, Chapter 7, Topic 3a.<\/a>\u00a0provides examples of\u00a0eligible\u00a0improvements:<\/p>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Solar heating and cooling systems<\/li>\n<li>Weather stripping or caulking<\/li>\n<li>New or\u00a0additional\u00a0insulation\u00a0<\/li>\n<li>Storm windows and\/or doors\u00a0<\/li>\n<li>Vapor barriers\u00a0<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>EEMs cannot be used for:\u00a0<\/p>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>New construction\u00a0<\/li>\n<li>Luxury items (e.g., hot tubs, spas)\u00a0<\/li>\n<li>Improvements that do not reduce energy consumption\u00a0<\/li>\n<li>Appliances or non-permanent fixtures\u00a0<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>VA\u00a0establishes\u00a0two cost tiers for EEMs to ensure improvements are cost-effective and beneficial to the Veteran over time:<\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table is-style-stripes\">\n<table class=\"has-fixed-layout\">\n<thead>\n<tr>\n<th><strong>Improvement Cost<\/strong>\u00a0<\/th>\n<th><strong>VA Considerations<\/strong>\u00a0<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td><strong>Up to $3,000<\/strong>\u00a0<\/td>\n<td>Based solely on the documented cost of the improvement.\u00a0\u00a0<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><strong>$3,000 \u2013 $6,000<\/strong>\u00a0<\/td>\n<td>Lender must: (1) document the cost of improvements, such as a copy of the bid(s) or contract itemizing the improvements and their cost, and (2) certify that the projected monthly energy savings exceed the increased cost.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/figure>\n<p>VA does not\u00a0permit\u00a0EEMs more than $6,000 (<a href=\"https:\/\/www.gpo.gov\/fdsys\/pkg\/USCODE-2015-title38\/pdf\/USCODE-2015-title38-partIII-chap37-subchapII.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">38 U.S.C. \u00a73710(d<\/a>).\u00a0Generally, improvements\u00a0must be completed within\u202fsix months\u202fof loan closing, and funds are held in escrow until the lender verifies completion and provides written notification to VA.\u202f\u00a0<\/p>\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">EEM with VA Interest Rate Reduction Refinancing Loans\u00a0(IRRRL) requirements\u00a0<\/h2>\n<p>Veterans may also obtain an EEM with a VA IRRRL. The two-tiered EEM improvement considerations listed\u00a0above also apply\u00a0to IRRRLs. Additionally, if the monthly payment (principal, interest, taxes, and insurance\u00a0\u2013\u00a0PITI) for the new loan exceeds the PITI of the\u00a0loan being refinanced by 20%\u00a0or more, the lender must certify that the Veteran qualified for the higher payment.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>VA Loan Guaranty Service\u00a0remains\u00a0committed\u00a0to making homeownership more affordable, and energy-efficient homes support long-term affordability, stability and comfort. <\/p>\n<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"fusion-separator fusion-full-width-sep\" style=\"align-self: center;margin-left: auto;margin-right: auto;margin-top:16px;margin-bottom:16px;width:100%\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"fusion-separator fusion-full-width-sep\" style=\"align-self: center;margin-left: auto;margin-right: auto;margin-top:16px;margin-bottom:16px;width:100%\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"fusion-builder-row fusion-builder-row-inner fusion-row fusion-flex-align-items-flex-start fusion-flex-content-wrap\" style=\"--awb-flex-grow:0;--awb-flex-grow-medium:0;--awb-flex-grow-small:0;--awb-flex-shrink:0;--awb-flex-shrink-medium:0;--awb-flex-shrink-small:0;width:104% !important;max-width:104% !important;margin-left: calc(-4% \/ 2 );margin-right: calc(-4% \/ 2 )\">\n<div class=\"fusion-layout-column fusion_builder_column_inner fusion-builder-nested-column-4 fusion_builder_column_inner_1_1 1_1 fusion-flex-column\" style=\"--awb-padding-top:64px;--awb-padding-bottom:32px;--awb-bg-size:cover;--awb-width-large:100%;--awb-margin-top-large:0px;--awb-spacing-right-large:1.92%;--awb-margin-bottom-large:0px;--awb-spacing-left-large:1.92%;--awb-width-medium:100%;--awb-order-medium:0;--awb-spacing-right-medium:1.92%;--awb-spacing-left-medium:1.92%;--awb-width-small:100%;--awb-order-small:0;--awb-spacing-right-small:1.92%;--awb-spacing-left-small:1.92%\">\n<div class=\"fusion-column-wrapper fusion-column-has-shadow fusion-flex-justify-content-center fusion-content-layout-column\">\n<div class=\"fusion-title title fusion-title-3 fusion-sep-none fusion-title-center fusion-title-text fusion-title-size-two\" style=\"--awb-margin-bottom:.5rem;--awb-margin-top-small:0px;--awb-margin-right-small:0px;--awb-margin-bottom-small:20px;--awb-margin-left-small:0px;--awb-font-size:1.3rem\">\n<h2 class=\"fusion-title-heading title-heading-center\" style=\"font-family:var(--awb-custom_typography_1-font-family);font-weight:var(--awb-custom_typography_1-font-weight);font-style:var(--awb-custom_typography_1-font-style);margin:0;font-size:1em\">Topics in this story<\/h2>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"fusion-title title fusion-title-4 fusion-sep-none fusion-title-center fusion-title-text fusion-title-size-paragraph post-tags\" style=\"--awb-margin-top-small:0px;--awb-margin-right-small:0px;--awb-margin-bottom-small:20px;--awb-margin-left-small:0px;--awb-font-size:1rem\">\n<p class=\"fusion-title-heading title-heading-center title-heading-tag\" style=\"font-family:var(--awb-custom_typography_11-font-family);font-weight:var(--awb-custom_typography_11-font-weight);font-style:var(--awb-custom_typography_11-font-style);margin:0;font-size:1em\"><a href=\"https:\/\/news.va.gov\/tag\/home-loan-guaranty\/\" title=\"Home Loan Guaranty\">Home Loan Guaranty<\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/news.va.gov\/tag\/home-loans\/\" title=\"Home Loans\">Home Loans<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<hr>\n<p class=\"tni-attribution\">Source: <a href=\"https:\/\/news.va.gov\/148268\/ever-heard-vas-energy-efficient-mortgages\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">Benefits \u2013 VA News<\/a><\/p>\n<p>Source: <a href=\"https:\/\/news.va.gov\/148268\/ever-heard-vas-energy-efficient-mortgages\/\">Benefits \u2013 VA News<\/a>. <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>VA&#8217;s Energy Efficient Mortgages are helping Veterans save money and improve their homes.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":261,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[82],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-487","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-u-s-veterans-benefits"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/thirstier.news\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/487","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/thirstier.news\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/thirstier.news\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/thirstier.news\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/thirstier.news\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=487"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/thirstier.news\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/487\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":736,"href":"https:\/\/thirstier.news\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/487\/revisions\/736"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/thirstier.news\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/261"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/thirstier.news\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=487"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/thirstier.news\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=487"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/thirstier.news\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=487"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}