El Dorado County through the HERO Property Assessed Clean Energy Program has money for residents to help finance energy- and water-efficiency improvements.

The money is paid back over time through property tax bills. Interest may be tax-deductible, and homeowners may see immediate savings on utility bills.

Residents of the unincorporated areas of El Dorado County may submit applications for HERO financing. South Lake Tahoe and Placerville launched this financing program in the past year as well.

HERO has a wide variety of products to help homeowners save water, including high-efficiency toilets, faucets and showerheads; drip irrigation systems; rainwater catchment systems; gray water systems; and artificial turf and other drought-tolerant landscaping.

A wide variety of energy-saving products are available through HERO as well.

For more info, go online.