Those who know the loan closing process be aware that the last thing participants need or want when completing their documents is another clause, codicil or addendum.

But VA’s Energy Efficient Mortgage program may well be worth the extra effort, even if you’re not an eco-warrior. Continuing with a little more paperwork could mean $6,000 or more on top borrowing power or, in some cases, cash in your pocket to make sure your home repairs.

Here are five things to know about the benefits, courtesy of VA Lenders Handbook and other AV sources:

1. Joint operation. EEM may look like a stand-alone mortgage program, but it’s not: it’s an add-on to a home purchase loan or refinance loan.

2. Facts and figures. Borrowers can add an additional $3,000 to their loans by documenting the planned green improvements they will make (more on those later). They can add up to $6,000 to the loan if their estimated utility bills drop enough to cover the difference in mortgage payments. They can add more than $6,000 in cases where the improvements will increase the value of the home to match the additional loan amount.

3. What is covered? Solar-powered upgrades are eligible, but don’t think you have to cover your roof with panels to assess this benefit. A range of upgrades are described in the manual, from large projects (new furnace or water heater) to less expensive energy savings (insulation, weatherstripping, etc.).

4. IRRRL reality check. If you are considering a Interest rate reduction refinance loan, you could take advantage of the EEM program to make necessary repairs to your home while improving your interest rate. If your furnace is an older model, for example, a new one would likely be considered an eco-upgrade.

5. Cash out. An IRRRL typically comes with no opt-out, but veterans can get up to $6,000 in cash to pay for EEM-covered upgrades, as long as they’re done within 90 days of loan closing.