Saving energy, as well as taking care of the environment through individual efforts, is becoming a more common topic in our society, and these important issues are receiving the attention they deserve.
In this regard, ProCredit Bank BH, with the assistance of the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), provided funds to its clients this year for investments in energy-efficient households. Following the selection of acceptable technologies and the completion of a few simple steps to obtain a loan, the bank’s clients will be entitled to a return of up to 20% of the amount invested. Funding is available for investments in insulation, windows, heating, cooling, heat pumps, solar panels, and other types of improvements aimed at increasing home energy efficiency and lowering energy intensity.
We address the most frequently asked questions about this fund in this text.
How can I determine which technologies are acceptable?
Check the Technology Selector on the GEFF website for a database of high-quality household appliances and materials that meet the EBRD’s performance standards in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Following that, a pro forma invoice for the selected technologies must be requested and submitted to the bank’s advisors, who will assist in the creation of the certificate of eligibility, i.e. energy certificate.
What is the procedure for applying for a loan?
Send a loan application through ProCredit Bank’s direct online application. Immediately after submitting your request, you will be contacted by one of the bank’s expert advisors, who will explain the loan terms and application process in detail, as well as walk you through the entire process, including the refund. As a general rule, once you’ve decided on investment and provided an estimate, the rest of the process is very simple and quick, with the assistance of a bank advisor available at all times.
Can work on multiple sites be financed with a single loan?
Yes, you can finance the installation of technologies on multiple projects, i.e. locations, with a single loan.
Is it necessary for me to be the owner of a building that is being renovated?
No, you are not required to be the owner, co-owner, or registered at that address. The only limitation is that the installation of the same type of product cannot be credited twice at the same address.
How do I request a return?
You can also apply for a return online by submitting a request through the Verification System on the GEFF website. An energy eligibility certificate, an invoice, bank proof of payment, a loan agreement, and information about the account to which you want the investment return paid are all required documents. Following this, the GEFF team verifies the information and pays the return on investment. After completing the application and receiving the refund, you are free to use the funds as you see fit, with no restrictions or additional conditions.
What are the advantages of energy-efficient housing?
• Direct financial savings for heating and cooling, which can range from several hundred to several thousand BAM per year, depending on the investment and space, implying that this investment will be partially self-financing during the payback period.
• Energy efficiency measures, in addition to saving energy and money, improve people’s living standards and reduce greenhouse gas emissions, including CO2.
• Energy-efficient homes are cleaner, more comfortable, and healthier, and their upkeep is simple and straightforward.
Finally, a notable and admirable aspect of this program is that it has contributed to reducing energy consumption by 18,000 MWh per year and CO2 emissions by 6,300 tons per year, which equates to removing nearly 4,000 cars from the road.
The unwavering commitment to environmental protection, as well as the effort to make economic development supported by ProCredit institutions as environmentally and socially sustainable as possible, is the central pillar of the ProCredit group’s development mission.