Maryland

Incentives/Policies for Renewables & Efficiency

Be SMART Home Efficiency Rebate Program

Last DSIRE Review: 06/20/2012

Program Overview:

State:	Maryland
Incentive Type:	State Rebate Program
Eligible Efficiency Technologies:	Clothes Washers, Refrigerators, Dehumidifiers, Water Heaters, Furnaces , Heat pumps, Central Air conditioners, Duct/Air sealing, Building Insulation, Room Air Conditioners, Tankless Water Heaters, Heat Pump Water Heater
Applicable Sectors:	Residential, Only customers not eligible for Empower Maryland incentives
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
Maximum Incentive:	Total: $4,250 Building Envelope Improvements: $2,000
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
Web Site:	http://www.mdhousing.org/website/programs/BeSmart/rebate.aspx

Summary:

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.

Contact:

Program Administrator - Be SMART Homes Rebate
Maryland Department of Housing & Community Development
100 Community Place
Crownsville, MD 21032
Phone: (410) 514-7618
Fax: (410) 987-8763
E-Mail: BeSMARTHome@dhcd.state.md.us
Web Site: http://www.mdhousing.org/besmart

Disclaimer: The information presented on the DSIRE web site provides an unofficial overview of financial incentives and other policies. It does not constitute professional tax advice or other professional financial guidance, and it should not be used as the only source of information when making purchasing decisions, investment decisions or tax decisions, or when executing other binding agreements. Please refer to the individual contact provided below each summary to verify that a specific financial incentive or other policy applies to your project.

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