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How Texas Families Access Affordable Home Upgrades

ByClean Energy Fund of Texas Team

For many Texas families, energy bills are not just an inconvenience. They are a financial strain that competes with groceries, rent, and medical care. In low- and moderate-income households across the state, utility costs can consume 10% or more of monthly income, leaving little room for anything else.

The Texas Energy Relief and Resilience Fund, known as TERRF, exists to change that math. It is a loan program managed by Clean Energy Fund of Texas (CEFTX) that gives Texas homeowners access to affordable financing for energy-efficient home upgrades, whether that means a new HVAC system, solar panels, weatherization, or a combination of improvements.

This post explains what TERRF is, who qualifies, what it covers, and how to get started.

What is the Texas Energy Relief and Resilience Fund (TERRF)?

TERRF is a residential lending program that provides non-credit-based, low-cost financing for home energy upgrades. That means your credit score is not the deciding factor in whether you qualify. The program is designed specifically to reach households that have historically had limited access to affordable home improvement financing.

TERRF is backed by $10 million in secured capital and operates in partnership with the Solar Energy Loan Fund of St. Lucie County (SELF), a national leader in mission-driven residential energy lending. CEFTX manages the program locally and delivers loans through its Trusted Texas Contractor Network, a statewide network of vetted contractors who install the upgrades.

The goal of every TERRF loan is measurable: a target of 20 percent reduction in household energy costs.

Who Qualifies

TERRF prioritizes low- and moderate-income (LMI) households, particularly those where utility bills take up a significant share of monthly income. But the program is not limited to that group.

Any Texas homeowner is welcome to apply. Renters may also qualify with the participation of their landlord.

If you live in Texas and your home needs energy or resilience improvements, it is worth checking your eligibility.

What Upgrades Are Covered

One of TERRF’s strengths is how broadly it defines an eligible upgrade. The program covers a wide range of improvements, including:

  • Solar panel installation
  • HVAC system upgrades
  • Weatherization and insulation
  • Roof repairs
  • Battery storage systems
  • Sewer and water efficiency upgrades
  • Energy-efficient lighting
  • Storm resilience modifications
  • Accessibility and disability retrofits

That last category is worth noting. TERRF is not only for families looking to reduce their electric bills. It also helps homeowners with accessibility needs make their homes safer and more livable.

If your home has an aging system, poor insulation, or an upgrade you have been putting off because of cost, TERRF may be able to help fund it.

What to Expect from the Loan

TERRF loans are non-credit-based, which means the application process is built around your home’s needs and your household’s situation, not a credit threshold that excludes many of the families this program is meant to serve.

Work is completed by contractors in the Trusted Texas Contractor Network. These are licensed, insured professionals who have met CEFTX’s standards for quality and customer service. More than 125 vetted contractors currently operate across 10 or more Texas counties, and that number is growing.

TERRF loans are also structured for the longer-term health of the household. By reducing energy costs, families can redirect savings toward other priorities: school supplies, health care, building a small emergency fund.

How to Get Started

The application process starts with a simple eligibility check. You can apply or learn more on the Texas Homeowner Initiatives.

If you need help navigating the process, community-based organizations (CBOs) partner with CEFTX to assist families from initial inquiry through project completion. You do not have to figure this out on your own.

Once you are connected with a Trusted Texas Contractor, they will assess your home and recommend the upgrades that make the most sense for your situation and budget.

Ready to Take the Next Step?

Check your eligibility or start your application on the Texas Homeowner Initiatives page. Questions? Contact the CEFTX team.

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