WHAT IS THE NM ENERGY$MART PROGRAM?

The NM Energy$mart Program can increase the value of your rental home by providing approximately $4,500 in energy efficiency upgrades at a minimal cost to you, the homeowner. Upgrades can include insulation, caulking, new windows, new refrigerator and/or new heating systems. Not only can your tenants expect to save $350 to $500 a year in utility costs, you will make the home a safer, more comfortable place to live.

In exchange for these significant home improvements, you will be required to contribute either 10 percent or 20 percent of materials costs for all energy efficiency upgrades. The average landlord contribution is $500 at 20 percent or $250 if the contribution is 10 percent. You will also be required to sign an agreement that says the rent will not be raised for a period of one year after the work is completed.

Your tenants must apply and qualify for the program. You cannot apply for them.

HOW DO MY RENTERS QUALIFY FOR THE PROGRAM?

Tenant income cannot exceed the following:

Tenants must complete an application package that includes:

• Identification
• A rental agreement in resident’s name
• Copies of gas and electric bills
• Proof of income qualification

MY TENANTS QUALIFY! WHAT HAPPENS NOW?

A residential energy efficiency professional will evaluate the home for energy efficiency and health and safety factors. Based on the evaluation, a recommendation will be made for customized upgrades that will make the home as energy efficient and safe as possible.

The service providers that will be doing the upgrades in the home will explain the results of the evaluation to you and help you determine how much your contribution will be. You will also be asked to sign an agreement to not raise the rent for a period of one year after the upgrades are installed.

HOW IS THE AMOUNT OF MY CONTRIBUTION DETERMINED?

As the landlord, you will be required to pay only 10 percent of the total material costs for upgrades to your home if both of these statements are true:

• Your tenant is a PNM customer.
• The energy evaluation DID recommend that the home receive a refrigerator upgrade AND Compact Florescent Light Bulbs.

In this case, PNM will pay 10 percent of the total material costs, and NM Energy$mart will pay 80 percent of materials costs and all labor costs.

As the landlord, you will be required to pay 20 percent of the cost of upgrades to the home if either of the following statements is true:

• Your tenant is NOT a PNM customer.
• The energy evaluation did NOT recommend that your home receive a refrigerator upgrade and Compact Florescent Light Bulbs.

In this case, you will pay 20 percent of total material costs, and NM Energy$mart will pay 80 percent of materials costs and all labor costs.

WHEN DOES THE WORK BEGIN?

When you have paid your share for the upgrades and signed the agreement, our service providers will contact your tenant to arrange a time for the installations to be done. After the crew completes the work, an inspection will be performed, which may include MFA staff.

WHAT DO I DO NOW?

From the list below, determine which service provider is doing upgrades in the area where your property is located. Click on the link to download an application to give to your tenant, or ask them to call the service provider to have an application mailed to them. MFA cannot process NM Energy$mart applications, so please do not contact us regarding applications.