BGE

Find a certified home energy auditor in your area.

BGE PROGRAMS

Appliances
Smart Energy Savers Residential Rebate Program offers rebates of between $50 and $400 for purchases such as the following:

$75 for tuning up your furnace or air conditioner

$200 for sealing your heat ducts

Up to $400 for fixing drafty spots in your house

$175–$400 on high-efficiency furnaces and air conditioners, plus $200 for installation

$50 on Energy Star refrigerators and washing machines

$25 on Energy Star window-unit air conditioners

Customers can also purchase discounted energy-saving light bulbs at Costco, Home Depot, Sam’s Club and Giant Food.

Call (Call 1-877-685-7377 for more information.

Recycling: BGE pays you $50 to pick up any old, functioning refrigerator or freezer. (Call 866-898-1901)

Mini-Audit
With the Professional Quick Home Energy “Check-up,” customers can have an efficiency check-up on their home to assess its insulation level, air tightness, heating and cooling system, windows and doors and lighting and appliances. The check-up can be done without paying the $40 fee if customers permit the installation of at least three free energy-saving items such as compact fluorescent light bulbs, faucet aerators, efficient-flow showerheads, pipe insulation, or a water heater tank wrap. Call 1-877-685-7377 for more information.

Full Audit
The Home Performance with ENERGY STAR Program includes a comprehensive home energy “audit” at about a $400 cost to the homeowner. Contractors who perform the audit will produce a list of recommendations on how to make your home more energy efficient. Homeowners then qualify for discounts for many of the possible recommendations. Call 1-877-685-7377 for more information.

Limited Income Energy Efficiency Program
Customers who qualify as low-income homeowners can have the audit and the improvements listed above done for free. Call 1-888-309-7325 for more information.

Air Conditioner Bonus
Through the Peak Rewards Program, BGE will install a thermostat or switch in your home that controls when your air conditioner cycles on and off when electricity supplies are tight. reduces your air conditioner output when electricity supplies are tight. The more often you allow the company to control your AC cycling the more you receive in credits on your bill – from $50 to $100 per month during the summer, plus a sign-up bonus of up to $100 when you enroll. Call 888-309-7325 for more information.

(For more information on BG&E programs, visit www.bgesmartenergy.com. This website also has information on programs available to businesses.)

BALTIMORE CITY PROGRAMS

Low-income Upgrades
Through the Weatherization Energy Program, low-income households qualify for help in paying for upgrades to furnaces, energy efficient light bulbs, low flow shower heads, and faucet aerators that lower electric bills. Contact the Energy Efficient Homes agency in the Baltimore Department of Housing and Community Development fore more information: 410-396-4709.

HOWARD COUNTY PROGRAMS

Residential Solar and Geothermal Property Tax Credit
Homes that use solar or geothermal energy devices are eligible. The credit equals 50% of the eligible costs, up to $5,000, for a photovoltaic (PV) or heating system (geothermal or solar), and up to $1,500 for a hot water supply system. The amount of credit applied in a tax year may not exceed the amount of property tax imposed for that year, but any amount not taken may be carried over for an additional two years. Contact 410-313-4075.

High Performance Building Property Tax Credit
Eligible buildings earn a tax credit between 10 percent and 75 percent on new and existing multi-family residential and commercial buildings that meet certain high performance building standards. Contact 410-313-3196.

ANNE ARUNDEL COUNTY PROGRAMS

Solar Energy Equipment Property Tax Credit

Offers residents a one-time property tax break (up to $2,500) for installing a solar energy system in homes for heating and cooling, water heating and electricity generation. Contact 410-222-1144.

PRINCE GEORGE'S COUNTY PROGRAMS

Solar and Geothermal Residential Property Tax Credit
For residential structures equipped with solar and geothermal systems. The credit may be taken for solar-electric systems or systems used to heat and cool a structure or provide hot water for a structure. The tax credit is equal to 50% of the cost of the system, up to $5,000, for heating and cooling systems, and $1,500 for water heating systems. Contact 301-952-5833.

STATE OF MARYLAND PROGRAMS

Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP)
Provides home weatherization services to low-income households. (In 2009, individuals earning less than $21,660 and families of four earning less than $44,100 qualify for the program.) Services include insulation, weather stripping, caulking, and plastic window covering to help make your home or apartment more fuel efficient and comfortable at no cost. Contact 1-800-638-7781 or http://www.dhcd.state.md.us

Energy Assistance Program (MEAP)
Provides assistance with home heating bills. Also offers assistance to replace broken or inefficient furnaces in low-income homes. Contact: 800-352-1446.

Solar Energy Grant Program
Gives grants of up to $10,000 for solar-electric (PV) systems and up to $2,000 for solar water-heating systems. A companion program gives grants of up to $3,000 for residential geothermal heat pump systems and $10,000 for non-residential geothermal heat pump systems. The state also exempts solar and geothermal equipment from the sales tax. http://www.energy.maryland.gov/incentives/residential/solargrants/index.asp

Bio-Heating Oil Tax Credit
Allows individuals and corporations to take a 3 cents/gallon income tax credit for purchases of biodiesel used for furnaces or water heaters. The maximum credit is $500 per year. The heating oil blend must contain at least 5% biodiesel (B5). Contact 410-260-7207.

Clean Energy Loans Program
Allows for “property tax financing” to borrow money to pay for solar panels and energy efficiency improvements. The loan is repaid through an increased property tax assessment over a period of years. Contact your local government to find out if it offers financing for renewable energy and energy efficiency projects through special property tax assessments.

FEDERAL TAX CREDITS

Energy Efficient Products

Consumers who install specific energy efficient products in existing homes, including windows, insulation, doors, roofs, furnaces and air conditioners, can receive a tax credit for 30% of the cost (up to $1,500) for improvements installed from January 2009 through December 2010. Be sure to ask for and save the Manufacturer Certification Statement to qualify for the credit.

Clean Energy Products

Consumers who install solar water heaters, solar electric systems, small wind systems, geothermal heat pumps, and residential fuel cell and microturbine systems can receive a 30% tax credit for systems placed in service through 2016.