We're retired, and as a result, we live on a fixed income. With CaliforniaFIRST financing, we were able to put it on our tax bill. In our case, we pay it twice a year, and that enabled us to pay for the cost of the improvements.

The thing I liked best about the CaliforniaFIRST program was that it was about as easy as it could be. Press the button on the computer, and by the time the call was over, they said, You're approved. That's the kind of people I like to do business with. 

The benefits of this renovation have really impacted our life. We've always loved our home, but we really love it now.

Our home is more comfortable now because the plumbing system works better.

I knew that I needed to get a new hot water heater, and I said, If I'm gonna get a new hot water heater, I'm gonna get an energy-efficient tankless water heater. It's outside the house, it's not taking up a big chunk of space in the back hall. Nice, attractive small unit, but most importantly, it's more energy efficient.

After the renovation, our house is now at a very stable temperature. We don't even hear if the furnace comes on. We are using less gas, not producing too much carbon dioxide. It's just amazing.

My home is more comfortable now with all of those renovations being done. It's not too cold now in the winter, it's not too hot in the summer, it's just right.

My husband is retired, and I'm working mainly as volunteer; we didn't want to tie up our cash flow, so CaliforniaFIRST was a very good choice.

Our house was built in 1927, and before the renovation, temperature in the house fluctuated a lot. After the renovation, our house is now at a very stable temperature. We don't even hear if the furnace comes on. We are using less gas, not producing too much carbon dioxide. It's just amazing.

One of the best parts of this project for us was the financing through CaliforniaFIRST. It was very easy for us to do the paperwork, and we were quickly given an answer and told that we were qualified for it.

One really important benefit of the program was the increase in our property value, and, of course, the savings on a monthly basis on our energy bill. It really was one of those win-win situations.

I like that the assessment was done on the home itself, the ease of the application process, the fact that it was able to be done online and electronically signed. I didn't have to have anything mailed or go in in person. I think that was very easy.

You have no idea what this house felt like. During the winter, it was freezing. We had to huddle in one part of the house. It was just horrible before, and now, we are--it's like heaven.

We installed a central heating system. We also insulated underneath the house, and it's made a tremendous difference in the comfort and cost of heating the house.