Be SMART Home Efficiency Rebate Program (Maryland)

Summary

Last modified on February 12, 2015.

Financial Incentive Program

Place	Maryland
Name	Be SMART Home Efficiency Rebate Program (Maryland)
Incentive Type	State Rebate Program
Applicable Sector	Residential, Only customers not eligible for Empower Maryland incentives
Eligible Technologies	Building Insulation, Central Air conditioners, Clothes Washers, Dehumidifiers, Duct/Air sealing, Furnaces, Heat pumps, Refrigerators, Water Heaters, Room Air Conditioners, Tankless Water Heaters, Heat Pump Water Heaters
Active Incentive	Yes
Implementing Sector	State/Territory
Energy Category	Energy Efficiency Incentive Programs
Amount	Energy Audit: $300 (paid to contractor) Building Envelope Improvements: 50% of cost HVAC Equipment: varies by measure, $25 - $500 Water Heating: varies by measure, $25 - $350 Appliances: varies by measure, $75 - $150
Equipment Requirements	Vary by measure (see application for details); Energy Star certification required for room AC, dehumidifiers, tankless or heat pump water heaters, refrigerators, freezers and clothes washers
Installation Requirements	Home energy audit required prior to participation; audit and installation must be performed by a program-approved contractor
Maximum Incentive	Total: $4,250 Building Envelope Improvements: $2,000
Program Administrator	Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD)
Website	http://www.mdhousing.org/website/programs/BeSmart/rebate.aspx
References	Database of State Incentives for Renewables and Efficiency (DSIRE)

Summary

Note: This program is expiring. Homeowner rebate applications and contractor energy audit requests for payment must be received by September 1, 2013 to qualify for this program.

The Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) offers rebates to homeowners for the installation of energy efficiency improvements in single-family and town homes. The program is limited to energy customers that are not eligible to participate in programs offered under the Empower Maryland initiative by the state's investor-owned utilities and the Southern Maryland Electric Cooperative (SMECO). This restriction limits eligibility to customers of the state's municipal utilities and remaining cooperative utilities, as well as homeowners with oil and gas heating systems.

In order to qualify for incentives, the home must first undergo a comprehensive home energy audit that identifies proposed energy efficiency improvements. The program incentives include a $300 payment directly to the contractor to defray the cost of the energy audit (the homeowner also pays a $100 fee) and a variety of incentives for building envelope improvements, HVAC improvements, water heaters, and certain appliances. Total incentives are limited to $4,250; however, homeowners may also elect to finance the balance of costs up to $15,000 through the Be SMART Home Efficiency Loan Program. Please see the program web site for additional requirements and application details.

Incentive Contact

Contact Name	Program Administrator - Be SMART Homes
Department	Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development
Address	100 Community Place
Place	Crownsville, Maryland
Zip/Postal Code	21032
Phone	(410) 514-7618
Fax	(410) 987-8763
Email	BeSMARTHome@dhcd.state.md.us
Website	http://www.mdhousing.org/besmart

• Incentive and policy data are reviewed and approved by the N.C. Solar Center's DSIRE project staff.