Epic Homes

Epic Homes offers rebates, low-interest loans, expert advice, and a home energy score to help you make smart improvements.

Expert Advice

• Free energy advising
• Discounted $60 in-home energy assessments

Rebates on Home Upgrades:

• High-efficiency heat pumps (heating/cooling systems)
• Improved insulation and air sealing
• Upgraded windows and doors
• Efficient water heating

Financial Support:

• On-bill financing: Pay for upgrades through your Fort Collins Utilities bill
  (with low interest and no money down)

After Your Upgrades:

• You'll receive a Home Energy Score (like an MPG rating for your home)
• You’ll get an Epic Homes Certificate that documents your improvements
  — helpful for reselling or renting your home

Epic Homes is open to most homes served by Fort Collins Utilities. You may qualify whether you own or rent.

Eligible Homes:

• Single-family homes
• Attached homes (e.g., townhomes, duplexes)
• Mobile/manufactured homes
• Condo units (individually metered)

Your Home Must Be:

• Located within the Fort Collins Utilities electric service area
• At least one year old

Owners and Renters:

• Homeowners can apply directly
• Renters can participate, but some upgrades may require landlord approval
• Homeowners, landlords, and property managers can access loans and rebates

Unsure If You Qualify?

We’re happy to check for you, just contact us:

• Email: epichomes@fortcollins.gov
• Phone: 970‑416‑4239

Follow these steps to improve your home's comfort, efficiency, and performance through Epic Homes.

Step 1: Get Free Energy Advising

Meet with an energy advisor (virtually, in-person, or by phone). They’ll answer your questions, review your home's needs, and help you decide which upgrades make sense.

Schedule Advising Session

Step 2: Get an Energy Assessment

Sign up for an in-home assessment to learn how your home uses energy. A trained expert will evaluate how your home uses energy and identify improvements:

• Cost: $60 (waived for income-qualified households or rental properties)
• You’ll get a personalized report with upgrade recommendations.

Sign up for an assessment

Step 3: Choose Your Upgrades

Work with your advisor to decide what would be best for your home — examples include:

• Adding insulation
• Sealing air leaks
• Upgrading heating or cooling systems
• Switching to electric appliances
• Replacing doors or windows 

Step 4: Complete the Work

To qualify for local rebates through Efficiency Works, start making upgrades to your home with a qualified service provider:

Find a Qualified Service Provider

Once upgrades are approved and scheduled, your contractor completes the work. Most participants say they feel the difference right away.

Step 5: Use Rebates and Financing

Through Efficiency Works, Epic Homes offers rebates to reduce your project cost on:

• Heat pumps
• Heat pump water heaters
• Insulation and air sealing
• Windows and doors

Check out Efficiency Works Rebates

Additionally, the City offers low-interest loans that can be added to your utility bill with no-money-down options for eligible upgrades rebated through Efficiency Works.

Learn more about Epic Homes Loan

Step 6: Get Your Epic Certificate

After your upgrades, you’ll receive a free Epic Homes Certificate with:

• Your Home Energy Score
• A list showcasing the improvements you made through the program
• Helpful information for future buyers or renters 

Begin your Epic Homes journey with expert advice — at no cost.
We'll help you understand your home’s energy use and decide what improvements make sense for you.

Meet with an energy advisor (by phone or video) to talk through:

• Your home’s current comfort and efficiency
• What upgrades might help most
• Available rebates, financing, and next steps

It’s fast, free, and there’s no pressure to commit.

Schedule Free Advising

Want more detailed recommendations? Schedule a $60 in-home assessment

A trained professional will visit your home and look at:

• Insulation and air sealing
• Heating and cooling systems
• Overall energy use

You’ll receive a custom report with recommendations and next steps.

Cost:

• $60 standard
• Free if you're income-qualified or renting

Schedule an Assessment

What You'll Learn:

• Where your home is losing energy
• What upgrades would make the biggest difference
• Which rebates or loans apply to you
• How to boost comfort, air quality, and long-term savings

Need help scheduling?

Email: information@efficiencyworks.org
Call: 877-981-1888

What’s Next?

After advising or an assessment, you’ll move on to:

• Choosing your upgrades
• Accessing financing or rebates
• Working with a qualified contractor
• Earning your Home Energy Score and Epic Certificate

Epic Homes helps reduce upfront costs with rebates and easy financing. 

Rebates

Get cash back for eligible improvements like:

• Heat pumps (efficient HVAC systems)
• Insulation and air sealing
• Windows and doors

Your Efficiency Works contractor can help you apply. 

View Efficiency Works Rebates

On-Bill Financing

With the Epic Home Loan, you pay for your upgrades over time through your Fort Collins Utilities bill.

Key Benefits: 

• No upfront cost
• Borrow up to $50,000
• Loans available up to 100% of the qualifying project cost
• Low interest rates
• Terms up to 15 years
• Available for both homeowners and landlords

Learn more about the Epic Home Loan

Other Financial Help

• Income-qualified customers may get free assessments and extra support through the CARE program. CARE provides no-cost assessments and retrofits to income-qualified customers (household income is at or below 80% of Larimer County median income).
• See if you qualify.  

Have questions about costs? Email us at epichomes@fortcollins.gov. 

Fort Collins’ real estate market recognizes home energy upgrades as beneficial home features. The Epic Certificate documents the rebated efficiency and solar improvements made to a home and helps give value to those improvements in the market. It also provides a Home Energy Score, similar to the miles per gallon (mpg) of your vehicle, allowing homeowners and buyers to estimate home energy use and compare home performance. More than 1,500 homes in Fort Collins have an Epic Certificate.

Green Building Registry

The Green Building Registry (GBR) is a SaaS platform developed by Earth Advantage to make climate-friendly home data easily accessible in the real estate market. It aggregates verified data from trusted third-party home performance certification programs and connects it directly to real estate listings through a custom API. This helps buyers, appraisers, and lenders recognize and properly value energy-efficient and climate-smart homes during the home buying and financing process.

Check out the Green Building Registry 

View an Example Certificate 

Epic Real Estate Allies are trained and knowledgeable about all components of Epic Homes, especially the Epic Certificate and how to use it to sell homes. Real Estate Allies also know about City programs and incentives, so they can support clients better through the buying and selling process. 

Are you a real estate professional interested in joining the Epic Homes Real Estate Ally Network?

Epic Homes Real Estate Allies are trained and knowledgeable about all components of Epic Homes, especially the Epic Certificate and how to use it to sell homes.  

The Epic Homes Real Estate Ally Network is open to all real estate professionals. 

Network benefits: 

• Access free materials and content to help market energy efficient home upgrades to customers. 
• Stand out as a designated energy efficiency champion. 
• Gain customer leads through the Epic Homes Real Estate Ally network and Efficiency Works Homes participating contractors. 
• Leverage the Epic Certificate to sell newly updated homes.
• Use the Epic Homes branded content for emails, newsletters, listing services and marketing collateral.

To join and to receive our Real Estate Ally toolkit with marketing materials, trainings, and other resources, email us at epichomes@fortcollins.gov.

Whether you rent or own, Epic Homes is here to help.

What Renters Can Do:

Even if you don’t own your home, you can still make a difference in your comfort, energy savings, and environmental impact.

• Get free advising and education about your home’s energy use
• Encourage your landlord to participate in energy efficiency upgrades
• Enjoy better comfort, indoor air quality, and lower bills—even as a renter
• Find efficient rentals: Check if your rental (single-family home, duplex, triplex, or quadplex) has energy upgrades on the Green Building Registry

Conservation and Efficiency Tips for Renters

1. Doable: no-cost behavior changes you can start today

Shift your electricity use to off-peak hours. To save avoid using energy during these peak times:

• Winter Peak Hours: 5–9 p.m.
• Summer Peak Hours: 2–7 p.m.

Reduce water use:

• Turn off taps while brushing teeth or washing dishes
• Take shorter showers
• Run only full loads in the dishwasher or washing machine

Adjust thermostat settings for savings:

• Winter: Set to 72°F
• Summer: Set to 64°F
• Use programmable/smart thermostats if available

Drain and toilet habits:

• Only flush the three Ps: pee, poo, and toilet paper
• Dispose of fats, oils, and grease in the trash, not the drain

2. Moveable: energy-saving tools you can bring with you

• Portable heat pumps or A/C units
• Energy-efficient blinds (keep heat in during winter, block it in summer)
• LED light bulbs – Free through Larimer County Conservation Corps (LCCC) assessments
• Low-flow shower heads and faucet aerators – Also free via LCCC
• Weatherstripping or air sealing kits
• Smart power strips to reduce “phantom” energy use

3. Approachable: bigger improvements (with landlord buy-in)

• Heat pump installations (for HVAC or water heating)
• ENERGY STAR® appliances
• Added insulation or weatherproofing
• Smart or programmable thermostats

Tips for Talking to Your Landlord:

• Mention available rebates and financing options
• Point out warning signs of failing appliances (e.g., grinding or buzzing sounds)

Income-Based Help: CARE Program

If your income is below 80% of Area Median Income (AMI), you may qualify for:

• A free in-home energy assessment
• Free home energy upgrades

Learn more about CARE Assistance

Other Free Assessments for Renters

Healthy Homes Assessment

• Free in-home service to reduce indoor air pollutants and improve safety
• Also available: a DIY assessment tool if you prefer to inspect on your own
  Request a Healthy Homes Assessment 

Learn more about Healthy Homes

Larimer County Conservation Corps (LCCC)

Free home inspection and free installation of:

• LED light bulbs
• Low-flow shower heads and faucet aerators
• Smoke/carbon monoxide detectors
• Clotheslines
• High-efficiency toilets

They also assess:

• Insulation
• Windows and doors
• Appliances
• Heating and cooling systems

Learn more about LCCC

Extra Resources for Renters

• Time-of-Day (TOD) Pricing – Learn how shifting energy use can lower your bill.
• Landlord and Tenant Information– Legal rights, educational programs, and more
• Need help asking your landlord? We have letter templates we can share with you! Email us at epichomes@fortcollins.gov to have us send them to you.
• Colorado Energy Savings Navigator Tool - this tool is for both renters and owners and can connect you to the proper State resources for energy-related bill assistance or rebates.

Landlords and Property Managers Can:

• Access rebates and financing for rental properties
• Improve tenant satisfaction and home value
• Reduce turnover and maintenance issues related to poor efficiency

With over 30,000 rental units in Fort Collins, standing out in a crowded market is crucial. Epic Homes for Rentals offers landlords the tools and resources to make your property more attractive, efficient, and profitable.

Benefits of Joining Epic Homes for Rentals:

• Prevent costly deferred maintenance before it becomes an emergency
• Enhance the performance and lifespan of your heating and cooling systems
• Save money through available rebates and incentives
• Boost tenant retention by improving energy efficiency and comfort
• Lower energy bills with smarter, greener upgrades
• Create healthier living environments with better indoor air quality
• Stay competitive in a growing market where energy efficiency matters

Market Trends:

• Since 2019, requests for energy assessments in rental properties have surged by 183%
• Energy efficiency upgrades in rentals have increased by 88% during the same period

Additional Resources:

• Colorado Energy Savings Navigator Tool - this tool is for both renters and owners and can connect you to the proper State resources for energy-related bill assistance or rebates.

Epic Homes is Fort Collins’ all-in-one program to help people upgrade their homes for energy efficiency, comfort, and lower emissions. Electrification is a key part of that mission.

Through Epic Homes, you can:

• Get a home energy assessment to identify electrification opportunities
• Access rebates and support for switching from gas to electric
• Use the Epic Homes Loan to finance upgrades like:
• • Heat pump heating/cooling systems
  • Heat pump water heaters

Electrifying your home is one of the most impactful steps you can take to reduce your home’s carbon footprint, and Epic Homes makes it easier and more affordable.

Learn more about Home Electrification

Efficiency Works™ is a regional collaboration with Platte River Power Authority (Platte River) and Fort Collins Utilities, Loveland Water and Power, Longmont Power and Communications and Estes Park Power and Communications. We work alongside Platte River (our wholesale electricity provider), and the three other member-owner communities, to offer energy efficiency services to residents through Efficiency Works™ Homes. Fort Collins Utilities customers receive additional benefits that fall under our program, Epic Homes.

 Purpose:

• Helps owners of single‑family homes (including rentals) make energy efficiency and electrification upgrades and install solar/battery systems.

Key Benefits:

• No money needed upfront.
• Borrow up to $50,000.
• Pay back through your utility bill.
• Attractive interest rates.
• Simple, fast application.
• Loans available up to 100% of the qualifying project cost.
• Easy, streamlined process for rental properties.

• Available to:

  • Single‑family homes, attached homes (side‑by‑side, over/under), rental properties.
  • Individually‑owned condos (but only for heating/cooling projects).

• Must be a current Utilities electric customer.

• Must have a utility service in your name (electric or water).

• Financial eligibility:

  • Good payment history for 6 months.
  • Minimum credit score: FICO 640.
  • No bankruptcy/foreclosure/repossession in last 5 years.
  • Unpaid collections/judgments/tax liens must be ≤ $2,500.

• Heating and cooling equipment rebated by Efficiency Works.
• Residential solar PV and battery systems
• Insulation and air sealing measures rebated by Efficiency Works.
• Windows (when they’re on the list of qualifying Efficiency Works rebates).

All projects must qualify for rebates and be approved by Fort Collins Utilities. The project measures that qualify for a loan are listed as rebates on the Efficiency Works Homes website and the Residential Solar Rebates website.

Interest Rates (as of May 5, 2023):

• Tier I (3 and 5 year term): 5.25%
• Tier II (7 and 10 year term): 5.55%
• Tier III (15 year terms): 5.95%

Interest rates are defined in the Epic Loan Product Guidelines as referenced in the Financial Officer’s Rules and Regulations, which adhere to the legal parameters and objectives established in the Fort Collins Municipal Code Section 26-720.

Loan repayment:

• Payments collected through your monthly utility bill.
• Loan payments are part of your bill as fixed amounts; extra payments count widely to your utility (credit toward all services); but you cannot pay extra just toward the principal to reamortize.

1. Get an Epic Homes assessment (unless your work is only HVAC or solar).*
2. Choose a qualified contractor (from participating contractor lists).
   
   • You must use an Efficiency Works Homes Participating Contractor for energy efficiency projects
   • You must use a Residential Solar program Participating Contractor for solar projects
3. Submit loan application (online or via phone).
   • Online application through the Impact Development Fund
   • Phone number: 970-494-2021
   • Cost for single applicant is $49.90
   • Cost for a joint application is $98.80
4. After approval, do the project.
   • You can also request a repayment of funds you paid your contractor upfront as part of your loan.
5. Close the loan, funds go to the contractor.
6. Your utility bill includes the loan repayment every month.**

Schedule an Assessment

Apply for the Epic Homes Loan

* Epic Homes assessment not required for solar, heating- or cooling-only projects

** Monthly payment of principal and interest will be collected by the City of Fort Collins Utility Billing Office as a line item on the borrower’s City of Fort Collins monthly utility bill. Any additional payment amount cannot be made against just the loan principal, or re-amortize the loan. All payments made exceeding the utility account balance are applied to all services equally as a credit.

Things to Know

• Read the Epic Home Loan Guidelines(PDF, 309KB)
• The primary account holder on a Fort Collins Utility account for which the loan will be associated must be on the loan application and closing documents.
• Loan covers 100% of qualifying project cost, up to $50,000.
• Can’t use the loan for projects already done (past work).
• Over/under buildings are eligible for all project types, but the project must be done in the entire building. 
• Condo owners only have limited eligibility (HVAC only).
• Loan guidelines (rates, terms) may change semi‑annually; check current info.

What Contractors Need to Know About Epic Homes Loan

• For a customer to get an Epic Loan, they must work with a listed contractor registered with Fort Collins Utilities or Efficiency Works.
• As the contractor, you provide bids for the work that the customer wants to do. The loan funds are paid directly to the contractor after work is completed and inspected.
• Contractors must follow local building codes and project specifications from the loan program.
• For contractor registration or questions, contact Fort Collins Utilities at epichomes@fortcollins.gov.

Assessments consist of on-site visual inspections, measurements and diagnostic testing performed by an energy advisor. An energy advisor delivers a customized detailed report of the findings and reviews the report with the customer.

Most homes in Fort Collins built before 2012 would benefit from an assessment, however all projects that include insulation, air sealing, and windows in their scope will require an assessment to obtain the rebates and qualify for Epic Loans.

$60 (discounted from the $600 value).

Yes, for all projects except HVAC or solar installations. The assessment helps identify upgrades and must be done by a qualified assessor.

There are two main pathways for Epic Loans:

1.  Rebate projects that are approved through Efficiency Works Homes will qualify for a loan. This includes anything required in the scope to complete the work (health and safety prerequisites, electrical upgrades, etc.).
2.  Similarly, all Fort Collins Utilities approved solar rebate projects will qualify for a loan.

*Loans must be pre-approved before work begins and the customer must submit contractor bids with their pre-approval application. 

• Lower rates:  Epic Loans can reduce interest rate costs by hundreds or even thousands of dollars over the life of a loan. 
• Epic Loans also offers on-bill financing: E Source national survey found 2/3 of utility customers prefer to pay for energy upgrades/products on existing bills.
• The eligibility criteria are more inclusive than other loan programs for customers with lower credit scores. Customers who may not qualify for other low-interest loans could qualify for an Epic Loan.
• Epic Loans has no impact on property investor debt to income, making it a great option for rental property owners.  

The only situation where gas equipment is approved to be funded for an Epic Loan is when an Efficiency Works Homes contractor installs an approved heat pump as the primary source of heating and pairs that heat pump with a gas furnace as the backup.

Direct them to our Epic Home Loan section of this page. Some service providers prefer to include a link in their proposals to this website for Fort Collins Utilities electric customers. Be sure to ask if they are Fort Collins electric customers.

Customers can find information on this page for an overview of the program and to learn about the Epic Homes Loan.

For additional questions, they can contact us by emailing epichomes@fortcollins.gov or calling 970-416-4239. 

A bid for Efficiency Works Homes qualifying measures.

Provide a bid and an invoice to customer for Efficiency Works Homes qualifying measures.

The Impact Development Fund (IDF) administers the program on behalf of Fort Collins Utilities. Payments for Epic Loan projects are reliable and timely compared to payments directly from customers. The only exception might be when multiple service providers are funded on the same loan. See next question for details.

Payment is sent once all work covered by the loan has been completed by all contractors involved. For example, if one contractor is responsible for air sealing and another for installing a heat pump, neither will be paid until both projects are completed.

If you own a single-family home, attached home, or rental property in Fort Collins and are a Utilities electric customer, you may qualify. You also need a good credit score (minimum 640) and a solid payment history.

No, the loan is only for property owners.

You can borrow up to $50,000 per eligible property. Loans cover 100% of qualifying project costs.

No. The loan covers the full cost of the project. You repay it monthly through your utility bill.

Not currently. Because our billing system is designed for utility bills, on-bill financing with the Epic Loan is a recurring utility bill payment with a set schedule. Any payment toward your utility bill that is in excess of what is owed will become a credit that is then automatically applied to cover the following month’s utility bill. The billing system is not equipped to make separate payments to pay down principal on your loan. You may, however, pay off the loan in it’s entirety if you choose. Please email utilitiesbillinggroup@fortcollins.gov if you would like to pay off your loan in full.

Only one Epic Homes Loan is allowed per property. Once your loan is paid off, you may apply again.

Yes, you can have one Epic Loan per premise.

No, customers can only have one Epic Loan per premise.

No, not at this time.

Yes, the RENU program is one option to help fill any gaps.

As soon as you pay it off, you can submit another application.

Eligible projects include energy efficiency upgrades, heating/cooling systems, solar panels, battery storage, insulation, and air sealing. All projects must qualify for rebates.

After applying and approval, you typically have 12 months to complete your project.

The borrower must pay off the loan before selling the property.