If you’re like most Maryland homeowners, you've probably heard there are rebates available for home performance upgrades. You might even know that EmPOWER Maryland offers thousands of dollars in incentives to homeowners throughout the state.
But here is what most contractors won’t tell you: If you’re only swapping out a single piece of equipment or making one upgrade, you’re leaving lots of money on the table.
In 2026, the secret to a comfortable, high-performance home isn't just securing a rebate; it’s strategically stacking multiple home improvements. At Total Home Performance, we design comprehensive upgrades that maximize your comfort, efficiency, and every available dollar from BGE and Delmarva Power.
Here is your 2026 roadmap for maximizing your home’s health and savings.
Maryland Rebates Available for Insulation, Crawl Encapsulation, Heat Pump Installation & More
The big change in rebates for 2026 in Maryland is that the Home Performance With ENERGY STAR® Program (run in our state by utilities including BGE & Delmarva Power) has increased their rebate ceiling. You can now qualify for:
- Up to $10,000 for envelope upgrades (air sealing, insulation, and duct sealing, and crawl space encapsulation).
- *Up to $15,000 if your project includes electrification upgrades like switching from a fossil fuel (gas, oil, or propane) system to a high-efficiency electric heat pump.*
Building science underpins these larger incentives: a new heat pump in a leaky house is like putting a world-class engine in a car with flat tires. By sealing your home (aka the building envelope) first, we reduce the load placed on your HVAC system. This allows us to install a smaller, more efficient system that qualifies for higher rebate tiers because the modeled energy savings are greater.
Get More Rebates for Comprehensive Home Upgrades by ‘Stacking’ Home Improvement Projects in 2026
Our local utility incentive programs are designed to reward comprehensive upgrades; you stand to save more by bundling multiple projects. For example, combining attic insulation and crawl space encapsulation can qualify you for significantly higher rebate amounts.
In many cases, the higher rebates allow homeowners to complete additional work for nearly the same cost as a single, individual upgrade. If you are already committed to a project like crawl space encapsulation, talk to our team today to see how you can add attic insulation or other efficiency upgrades for minimal additional cost. In some cases, it’s close to nothing!
Furthermore, switching your home heating system from a combustion-fuel furnace, boiler, or water heater to a qualifying electric heat pump can unlock up to $5,000 in extra rebates. Total Home Performance is your local incentive expert, so reach out to us today to learn how much you could save. Remember, with our team you get:
- Instant Discounts (No Waiting for a Check): We are a participating contractor in the EmPower program, and the rebate amount is deducted directly from your invoice. You pay less upfront and skip the hassle of waiting months for a check in the mail.
- Expert Audits for Highest Tiers: We use Building Performance Institute (BPI) certified audits to prove the energy savings required to hit the highest rebate brackets. Our goal is to maximize your instant discount by ensuring your project is designed for peak efficiency.
Low-Interest Loans & Financing Also Available
BeSMART Home Loan Program
The BeSMART Home Loan Program offers low-interest loans up to $30,000 for energy-saving home improvements that reduce your utility bills. Many upgrades qualify for financing, including ENERGY STAR certified heating and cooling equipment, ventilation systems, insulation, air sealing, and more.
Total Home Performance is an eligible service provider and we can help you decide whether this is the right financing option for you.
Our 2026 Strategy: Get You ALL the Savings You Need
Our goal for 2026 is to get the homeowners of Maryland as many incentive dollars as we can, using our BPI-certified energy audits to prove the energy savings required to hit the highest-possible-tier rebate brackets & therefore maximizing your discount.