CALABASAS, CA — Countrywide Home Loans, Inc. is now offering a money-saving home loan called the Energy Efficient Mortgage (EEM). The EEM allows homeowners to make energy efficient modifications and add their cost to the mortgage at the time of purchase or refinance.

“At this time when our focus is very much on energy efficiency, Countrywide is pleased to offer homeowners a way to make cost-effective energy efficiency upgrades to their homes,” said Mark Kemp, executive vice president of Countrywide’s western division. “As a major lender in California and nationwide, we believe we can play a pivotal role in making homes more energy efficient and affordable. Energy Efficient Mortgages allow homeowners to improve their homes, preserve the environment, and maybe even keep a little money in their pockets.”

To take advantage of an EEM, consumers must have their home rated for energy efficiency by a state-certified Home Energy Rating System (HERS). The HERS report recommends the needed improvements and estimates the cost of the upgrades and projected annual savings in utility costs.