Michigan Saves Home Energy Loan Program. Contractor Training December 2012

Transcription

1 Michigan Saves Home Energy Loan Program Contractor Training December 2012

2 Agenda 9:00 9:05 Introduction 9:05 9:45 Part 1: The Michigan Saves Home Energy Loan Program 9:45 10:30 Part 2: Customer Application Process 10:30 10:50 Part 3: Quality Assurance and Other Program Requirements 10:50 11:00 Part 4: Marketing Michigan Saves 11:00 11:10 Questions

3 Part 1: The Michigan Saves Home Energy Loan Program Topics Program overview Customer and measure eligibility Role of Michigan Saves, contractors, and lenders Links to utility energy optimization programs and other initiatives

4 What Is Michigan Saves? Nonprofit organization dedicated to making energy improvements easy and affordable Provides affordable financing for qualifying energy efficiency improvements with loan capital, origination, and servicing by network of lenders Manages $6.5 million trust fund for loan default support to attract lender/investor capital Registers and oversees network of authorized contractors that promote financing 4

5 Role of Lenders and Loan Application Center Network of lenders provides loan capital, origination, and servicing Michigan Saves loan application center accepts loan applications, helps customer select lender, and provides loan decision to customer Lender provides loan closing documents directly to customer Program is structured so contractors do not have to handle sensitive customer information

6 Current Lenders

7 Customer Eligibility Owner-occupied, single family homes (1 4 units) No rental units Meet underwriting criteria Credit Score 680 or higher Greater Niles, MSUFCU, UP State CU Credit Score 640 or higher Central Macomb, Consumers, Financial Plus, Genisys, LAFCU Monthly debt to gross income of 50% (post loan) 7

8 Michigan Saves Home Energy Loan Affordable, easy loans for homeowners Unsecured, personal loans of $1,000 to $20,000* Rates up to 7% APR (fixed rate) Flexible loan terms: One year per $1,000 up to $4,999; customer can pick term up to 10 years for loans $5,000 and more Immediate decisions through loan application center Loans used for qualifying improvements installed by authorized contractors Exclusive program Customers can only access loan through a Michigan Saves authorized contractor *Central Macomb has loan cap $15,000 8

9 Michigan State University Federal Credit Union MSUFCU is an authorized lender that uses a proprietary loan application system Still a Michigan Saves loan, with same rate, terms, underwriting & contractor fee just a different process MSUFCU system flow Contractor fills out paperwork, submits to MSUFCU MSUFCU provide instant decision to contractor Contractor in effect issues loan to customer, then resells loan to MSUFCU Contact Stephanie Minott, (517) for details

10 Efficiency Measure Qualification Eligible Measures Option Pre-qualified, single measures: high efficiency HVAC measures, Energy Star roofing & windows/doors, Energy Star appliances, solar thermal measures, solar PV See Michigan Saves website for the most recent list Home Energy Assessment Option Energy assessment required (to Building Performance Institute standards) Customer can implement any energy-saving measures recommended by the assessment (including measures on Eligible Measures List) Air sealing and insulation can only be implemented under this option

11 Health & Safety Issues Eligible measures list approach Whenever possible, correcting health and safety issues related to combustion appliances should occur Home energy assessment Work scope must include correcting related health and safety issues Michigan Saves will finance the correction of health and safety issues up to $3,000 or 15% of the total project cost, whichever is lower.

12 Pre-existing Environmental Hazards & Physical Defects Financing capped at $3,000 or 15% of the total project cost, whichever is lower, for Remediation of pre-existing environmental hazards (i.e., asbestos, lead, mold, etc) and Repair of physical/structural defects which create health and safety issues Must be coupled with an appropriate efficiency measure related to the remediation Contractors should have appropriate state licenses and insurance levels before remediating environmental hazards

13 Role of Contractors Contractor driven program, marketed primarily through network of authorized contractors Authorized contractors are listed on Michigan Saves website

14 Authorized Contractor Qualifications All Michigan Saves authorized contractors must meet minimum requirements State of Michigan business license Trade license (if applicable) Insurance (worker s compensation and general liability of $1M per occurrence/$1 M aggregate) Federal Lead-Safe Certification (if applicable) Attend Michigan Saves financing training Able to promote financing for measures on Eligible Measures List ONLY Energy Star appliances, high efficiency HVAC measures, Energy Star roofing & windows/doors, solar PV

15 Advanced Contractor Qualifications All Michigan Saves advanced contractors must meet the following requirements Meets minimum requirements (business license, trade license, insurance, etc) AND Possesses additional 3 rd Party Certification, such as Any Building Performance Institute Certification RESNET HERS Rater (with proof of CAZ testing training) Weatherization Assistance Program Inspectors (not installers) NATE, HVAC Excellence or NCI (mechanical contractors only) NABCEP (solar thermal or solar PV) Only advanced contractors with appropriate licensing can implement air sealing and insulation measures Advanced contractors receive special designation and priority listing on Michigan Saves website

16 Contractor Work Requirements Maintain license, insurance, and certifications Written estimates Warranties for labor and equipment Compliance with applicable laws Installation best practices Computer-generated manual J or energy modeling (DOE approved) BPI CAZ Testing for all HVAC system improvements Specific standards ACCA HVAC Installation BPI Energy Audit Most Important BE PROFESSIONAL!!! 16

17 Proper identification: Authorized Contractor ID Card At no time will the contractor represent its business as an agent or representative of Michigan Saves Contractors may represent themselves as Michigan Saves authorized contractors. Michigan Saves does NOT certify, approve, or qualify contractors Any contracts between the contractor and its customers or any third parties shall clearly and conspicuously express that no agency relationship exists between the contractor and Michigan Saves 17

18 Michigan Saves Contractor Fee All authorized contractors charged fee of 1.99% of loan value Fee supports Michigan Saves operations Fee automatically deducted from contractor payment no invoicing Greater Niles does not deduct fee

19 Relationship to Other Programs Serving Residential Customers Michigan Saves program complements utility energy optimization and other rebate programs Michigan Saves coordinates with utilities and other partners on residential programs Consumers Energy Home Performance with Energy Star Program

20 Contractor Resources Available at Implementation Guide Eligible Measures List Program forms Application form (also used for submitting updated contractor information such as address and certification) Marketing tools Materials periodically reviewed and updated 20

21 Workforce Development Michigan Saves has grant funds to cost share training for contractors 50% per person per training class, not to exceed $1,000 Company is capped at $3,000 Must reserve funds ASAP Must attend training by 2/28/13 Must become an Authorized Contractor by 2/28/13 to receive reimbursement

22 Program Results Loan results (through 1/16/13) Total loans approved 2,295 (62%) Total value of approved loans - $19,690,267 Average loan size - $7,999 Average FICO score of approved applicants Average FICO score of all applicants 706

23 Program Results Contractor participation to date 441 applications 328 applications have been approved 311 trained & authorized contractors 148 Mechanical contractors (48%) 112 Building contractors/remodelers (36%) 26 Energy auditors (8%) 11 Home performance contractors (3%) 13 Solar PV contractors (4%) 1 Plumbing contractor (<1%)

24 Part 2: Loan Application Process Topics Overview of loan process Log-in credentials Job completion forms and payment process

25 Michigan Saves Home Energy Loan: Loan Process 1. Customer identifies Michigan Saves authorized contractor from website or contractor promotes program to customer 2. Contractor provides information on Michigan Saves loan and initiates loan application process 3. Customer provides information to loan application center and receives decision within minutes 4. Contractor uses own contracting process to secure job and installs efficiency improvement 5. Contractor completes project forms, obtains customer s signature, and returns forms to lender and Michigan Saves 6. Lender pays contractor directly, while customer begins monthly payments on the loan

26 Pre-screening Tips Review loan underwriting guidelines with homeowners Be aware of 50%, monthly debt to income requirement Extending the term or reducing the amount requested can result in loan approval When in doubt, use the phone based system

27 Michigan Saves Home Energy Loan: Loan Application Process 1. Contractor contacts loan application center via phone or Internet 2. Enables customer to speak with loan application center Customer answers questions to determine lender and provides information for credit check Customer receives a decision within minutes (or even seconds) 3. Loan application center passes completed and approved loan application to lender, which may conducts income verification 4. Customer completes membership application, if not already a member 5. Upon completion of the work, contractor sends project completion forms to lender, which triggers loan closing 6. Lender prepares final loan documents and arranges for closing 7. Customer signs loan closing documents 8. Lender pays contractor upon receipt of loan closing documents 9. Lender bills customer monthly

28 Contractor Log-in Credentials Contractor accesses loan application center using Michigan Saves contractor identification # Provide number via phone or through Web portal Set of 10 cards and ID nos. sent upon completion of application & training

29

30

31

32

33

34

35 Credit Insurance Credit insurance is offered with every loan through loan application center Protects customer s credit score in the event that they cannot pay off the loan due to death and disability Fee can be 10-30% of amortized loan amount Only available to customers under the age of 71 Automatically ends the month of the customer s 71 st birthday This is an optional insurance product that a customer can choose to accept or deny The credit insurance is actually offered by the lender the loan center just notes the customer s request

36 Example of Approval Message CONGRATULATIONS! Your application has been approved. A loan representative will contact you by the next business day with closing information. We here at Central Macomb Community Credit Union value your membership and welcome this opportunity to serve you. Thank you for choosing Central Macomb Community Credit Union for your financial needs. **If the loan amount is above $3,000 or if your credit score is below 720, verification of income will be required. Note for Contractor: Please mail the certificate of completion to: Central Macomb Community Credit Union Van Dyke Ave. Sterling Heights, MI NOTE: Copy of certificate of completion also sent to Michigan Saves 36

37 Denial/Pending Message Unable to honor request messages always means that the customer does not qualify for Michigan Saves loan. Example: Thank you for applying with Central Macomb Community Credit Union. We have processed your application and are unable to honor your request at this time. A notice will be mailed to you indicating the reason for this decision. Application being processed or Someone will call you back message may mean Customer not approved, but not denied either Customer has been victim of identity theft, flag on credit report They are self-employed (lender doing income verification) Example : Thank you for applying to Central Macomb Community Credit Union. Your application is being processed. A representative will be responding to you shortly. We appreciate the opportunity to serve you.

38 Job Completion Forms: Certificate of Completion Signed by customer and contractor Affirms that job has been satisfactorily completed and provides customer information release Mailed to lender at the address provided during initial loan approval Receipt by lender triggers loan closing and ultimately payment to contractor Uploaded to Michigan Saves through Online Contractor Portal (OCP)

39 Job Completion Forms: Specification Sheet Completed by contractor and used by Michigan Saves for Quality Assurance Describes installed measures installed and, if applicable, results of diagnostic tests and energy modeling Original to lender and with data entered into Online Contractor Portal Failure to submit CoC and Spec Sheet to Michigan Saves with every job will result in suspension

40 Michigan Saves Contractor Portal All contractors have own account Spec sheets completed directly online Signed certificates of completion scanned and uploaded

41 Review of Online Contractor Portal

42 Part 3: Quality Assurance and Other Requirements Topics Quality assurance Maintaining contractor status 42

43 Quality Assurance Objectives Verify that there are no fraudulent or misleading actions Confirm customer satisfaction Verify that program requirements are met Qualifying improvements Follow audit and installation guidelines Forms submitted, accurate, and complete Establish process to resolve issues/problems 43

44 QA Methods Review documentation Periodic site inspections Customer surveys Coordinated with other programs (utilities, BPI), where possible, to avoid overlap

45 Michigan Saves Role File Review Review Certificate of Completion Dated, signed by customer and signed by contractor Review Specification Sheet Customer information filled out completely including utility account number? All information included for installed and removed measures? All measures eligible under program? All diagnostics testing results included where appropriate? Energy modeling including where appropriate? Flag projects that violate program requirements

46 Quality Assurance Coordinator Role QAC schedules site visit with homeowner Site inspection Installed measures match items on specification sheet Measures are installed to manufacturer guidelines or best practices Confirm customer satisfaction Replicates test-out procedures (assessment-based only)

47 Maintaining Contractor Status Status Provisional Full Enhanced Supervision Suspended Terminated Description New contractors - first 10 projects Completed provisional status One or more workmanship issues, identified through QA site inspections or customer complaints. Contractor receives 6 additional site inspections. Temporary ban on program participation due to repeated or serious program violations; may complete existing jobs for which financing already approved but cannot enroll new customers; Banned from any current or future participation in program due to failure to resolve issues or other reasons, as determined by Michigan Saves 47

48 QA Inspection Rate Michigan Saves Contractor Status Mentorship (Advanced Contractors providing Whole Home Assessments ONLY) Provisional Full Enhanced Supervision On-Site Inspection Rate 1 st job mentored by QAC 2 of next 10 jobs 5% of total jobs 2 previous projects, plus next 4 projects

49 Deficiencies For deficiencies noted by file or site inspection QAC sends Correction Action Report (CAR) to contractor Safety CARs, Workmanship CARs, Programmatic CARs Contractor submits written response to QAC documenting action taken QAC reports activity to Michigan Saves with inspection results and copy of CARs Contractor must respond to CAR within designated timeframe Michigan Saves makes determination of contractors status Enhanced Supervision, Suspended or Terminated

50 Corrective Action Request Report MICHIGAN SAVES CORRECTIVE ACTION REPORT PROGRAM: QA INSPECTOR: CAR #: TYPE: Walk-Through Work-in-Progress Comprehensive Other DATE ISSUED: DUE DATE: CONTRACTOR NAME: CONTRACTOR ID#: CUSTOMER NAME: CUSTOMER ADDRESS: CUSTOMER CITY, ST, ZIP: CUSTOMER PHONE: CUSTOMER ORIGIN: BBFM Coordinator or Staff Complaint Contractor Complaint Homeowner Complaint Inaccurate or Incomplete Paperwork Michigan Saves Flagged Project Routine Site Inspection Other: # OF SAFETY CARS: # OF WORKMANSHIP CARS: # OF PROGRAMMATIC CARS:

51 Safety Corrective Action Request DESCRIPTION SAFETY CORRECTIVE ACTIONS: Safety issues detected during QA inspections, which create an immediate health and safety risk to the occupants, must be addressed by the contractor within 48 hours S1: Electrical, fire or structural hazards that were part of the installation S2: Failed combustion safety testing results on: S3: Gas leak(s) located: S4: Improper clearance to combustibles that were part of the installation S5: Improper pipe wrap installation that creates combustion hazard S6: Serious moisture issues, which were not corrected by the installed measures S7: Unsafe conditions from the installed work S8: Violation of the Building Airflow Standard (BAS) S9: Other S10: Other Notes

52 Workmanship Corrective Action Request DESCRIPTION WORKMANSHIP CORRECTIVE ACTIONS: Significant issues with workmanship or best practices must be addressed by the contractor within 14 days, if the issues can be corrected W1: Failure to provide homeowner with documentation of insulation R-value, per code N W2: Failure to provide homeowner with HVAC start-up sheet W3: HVAC equipment is improperly installed or not operational W4: HVAC system over/undersized when compared to Manual J calculation W5: Missing CO detector, conforming to UL-2034, as required by BPI W6: Poor workmanship (please describe below) W7: Test-out diagnostics incomplete or inaccurate (greater than 10% variance when compared to QA test-out) W8: Unvented combustion applicances remain in home W9: Other W10: Other Notes

53 Programmatic Corrective Action Request PROGRAMMATIC CORRECTIVE ACTIONS: Administrative issues that violate Michigan Saves Home Energy Loan Program Guidelines, as indicated in the Contractor Agreement and Implementation Guide. P1: Failure to submit Certificate of Completion or Specification Sheet in a timely manner P2: Failure to respond to Safety and Workmanship CARs P3: Financing of non-qualifying measures P4: Installation of eligible measure different than measure indicated on Specification Sheet P5: Installation of eligible measure not recorded on Specification Sheet P6: Misrepresentation P7: Other P8: Other Notes

54 Part 4: Marketing Michigan Saves Topics Key Messages Proper use of Michigan Saves Brand Handouts: Rack Card (samples provided) Consumer FAQ Brand guidelines

55 Key Marketing Messages EASY Convenient Fast Seamless AFFORDABLE Save money and energy Flexible repayment terms Low interest rates SMART Save energy and environment Make wise investment Improve comfort Help Michigan s economy

56 Proper use of Michigan Saves Brand Important that the brand be portrayed consistently in the market This will help with consumer awareness and interest in the program

57 Proper use of Michigan Saves Brand (cont.) Contractor can develop customized marketing materials with Michigan Saves logo Follow Brand Standards Guide Michigan Saves reserves right to request changes to, or termination of, Michigan Saves Brand Logo presentation that does not meet guidelines Contractor bears all changes and associated costs Contractors can request a review of draft materials, but this is not required Send drafts to registration@michigansaves.org Expect response within three business days

58 Rack Card Can be used as leave-behind and direct mailer 58

59 Rack Card Templates

60 Other Michigan Saves Programs Business Energy Financing Program Loans from $2,000 to $150,000 Rates as low as 5.99% Special incentives for retail food industry (3.99% financing and $2,000 rebate) Next training is 1/31 at 11 am Workforce development funds Michigan Saves will cost share training classes, up to $3,000 Reserve funds by ASAP attend classes by 2/28/13 61

61 Contacts and s to Remember For all contractor questions, concerns, and feedback, contact Todd Parker (517) We welcome your suggestions! 62