PARIS — Voters approved an ordinance Monday that will allow Paris residents access to low-cost loans for home energy efficiency upgrades.

There were no votes against the Property Assessed Clean Energy ordinance.

The program is administered through Efficiency Maine. The funding for the loans comes from a U.S. Department of Energy grant.

For a resident to participate in the program, their town must pass the ordinance, according to an April 2010 law. The issue came up in June when Kerry Read wanted to use the a PACE loan for efficiency upgrades to a multiunit building she owns.

She said at a public hearing before the vote that she couldn’t see any reason to vote against it. “It’s simply an avenue for people to make funds accessible to weatherize their homes,” she said.

To participate, homeowners must have an energy audit which shows the property needs improvement and homeowners must meet several criteria to qualify for a loan. The loans can be used to pay for insulation, more efficient heating systems and other upgrades.

Selectmen familiar with the ordinance and the program said there was no liability for the town. There would be no cost to the town and the town wouldn’t be responsible for collection of loans.

Glen Holmes, town manager of Buckfield, was chosen to moderate the meeting, which lasted about two minutes.

treaves@sunjournal.com