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Going Green Gets More Affordable Than Ever With a Tech CU Living $mart Home Equity Loan and Federal Tax Breaks

Technology Credit Union Launches a New Home Equity Loan Designed Specifically for Energy-Efficient Home Improvements

Being eco-conscious is the right thing to do, but it isn't always the easiest thing to do, especially during a recession. That's why Tech CU recently introduced its Living $mart Home Equity Loan, created specifically for homeowners who want to do green home improvement projects. To help homeowners who may be hesitant to start a home improvement project now because costs are daunting, the Living $mart home equity loan offers fixed rates as low as 5.75 percent APR* on loans up to $50,000. In addition, homeowners can lower their project costs by as much as 30 percent** by taking advantage of new federal tax credits that are now being offered for energy efficiency home improvements.

"Living your life in a way that is friendly to the environment is becoming more popular than ever and certainly has received media attention, but making the changes that are needed have to be cost-effective and make sense for the individual," said Kathleen Litman, vice president of Marketing for Tech CU. "The new tax incentives that are being offered are a great start, but homeowners may also need a little extra help in defraying the costs over time. That's why we developed the Living $mart Home Equity Loan."

According to the EPA's Energy Star website, the average energy bill for a typical single family home is approximately $2,200 per year, with more than half of the costs going to heating and cooling systems (HVAC). By installing energy-efficient technology that adheres to Energy Star guidelines (such as an upgraded HVAC system), homeowners can quickly make their home more energy and cost efficient. Green home improvements reduce high-energy bills in the long term, increase the overall value of the home, make the home more comfortable and reduce a family's carbon footprint.

With energy-efficient technology in the form of windows, furnaces, air conditioning, heat pumps, doors, solar panels, solar water heaters, or insulation, homeowners can take advantage of the Federal Tax Credit for Energy Efficiency, which includes a credit for up to 30 percent of their project costs. Full details and qualifying home improvement projects can be found at www.energystar.gov/taxcredits.

For more information on Tech CU's Living $mart Home Equity Loan or to apply, visit one of the credit union's 10 Financial Centers, speak to a Tech CU representative at (800) 553-0880 or go online at www.techcu.com. Also ask about Tech CU's Fuel $mart auto loan, which offers a rate discount for financing a new vehicle getting 30 or more mpg.

Homeowners who live, work, go to school or worship in any of the six Bay Area counties and would like to apply for the Living $mart Home Equity Loan but are not currently members of Tech CU are eligible to join the credit union. For more information about membership, visit the Tech CU website.

*Restrictions apply -- please contact a Tech CU representative or go to Tech CU's website for additional terms and conditions. **Please visit www.energystar.gov or call 888-782-7937 for details on qualifying projects.

ABOUT TECHNOLOGY CREDIT UNION

Technology Credit Union is a full-service, financial institution serving individuals who work, live, go to school or regularly worship in Santa Clara, Alameda, Contra Costa, Santa Cruz, San Mateo and San Francisco counties. Tech CU was started in 1960 and is now among the top 1 percent of the nation's largest credit unions. Tech CU is recognized as one of the best managed and strongest financial institutions in the country, as indicated by its 5-star rating (the highest given) from Bauer Financial, the nation's largest independent rating service for banks and credit unions. With more than 78,000 members, over $1.2 billion in assets and 10 full-service branches around the Bay Area, Tech CU is a leader in the credit union industry. For more information, visit www.techcu.com.