It seems like the price of everything is going up these days, including the cost of energy. Rising gas prices are taking money out of your pocket right after winter heating costs have already stretched your family’s budget thinner than you’d like. And now, local electricity rates are threatening to make cooling your Annapolis or Eastern Shore home expensive this summer as well.
Energy efficiency upgrades are one of the best ways to reduce your monthly energy bills, but many homeowners are worried they can’t afford the upfront costs. Did you know that incentives and rebates can save you thousands, taking the stress off your wallet this summer while also making your home more comfortable? Here’s how.
What Home Upgrades Can Lower Your Electric Bill?
There are lots of different ways that a home can waste energy, and many homeowners are surprised to learn that the efficiency rating of your home cooling system is far from the only thing that determines how high your monthly energy bills will be in the summer. Even if you have a new high-efficiency air conditioner, a poorly insulated and leaky home will let lots of conditioned air escape, and your AC will have to run longer to compensate.
There’s no one size fits all approach to energy efficiency—every home can suffer from different problems. But some of the most common solutions involve services like:
Luckily, every one of these services is eligible for rebates that can dramatically lower your upfront costs and make upgrading your Easton or Annapolis home affordable.
How Much Can Eastern Shore and Anne Arundel County Homeowners Save with Energy Efficiency Rebates?
Some of the best rebates available for Maryland homeowners are through the Home Performance with ENERGY STAR program. If Delmarva Power or BGE is your utility provider, you can qualify for every one of the services mentioned above, plus more. Here is a more detailed breakdown:
|
Services |
Rebate Amount |
|
Air Sealing and Insulation (can include Attic Insulation, Wall Insulation, Basement Insulation, and Crawl Space Encapsulation |
$7,500 maximum or 75% off entire project work scope, based on the modeled reduction of electric and natural gas consumption. |
|
Duct Sealing |
$500, or $750 if done in combination with Air Sealing and Insulation. |
|
Heating and Air Conditioning Equipment Rebates† |
A $7,500 maximum** based on the modeled reduction of electric and natural gas consumption. |
|
Smart Thermostat |
$100 |
|
Total Maximum Customer Rebate |
$250 to $7,500 |
Of course, with any rebate programs, there are terms and conditions, including the requirement that you need to use a participating contractor to qualify. Total Home Performance is not only one of the only Eastern Shore companies who meets the requirements for crawl space encapsulation rebates, but we will also take you step by step through the process and explain the exact rebate amount you would qualify for!
Schedule a Home Energy Audit with Total Home Performance
Whether you’re trying to lower your heating and cooling bills as much as you can, make your home more comfortable and healthy, keep moisture and mold out of your crawl space, or some combination of the above, the best place to start with home performance upgrades is an energy audit.
An audit includes a comprehensive inspection and analysis of the condition of your home. We use building science training and equipment including blower door tests and infrared cameras to identify areas of your home with poor insulation and air leaks. With the results of your audit, you’ll know which upgrade you can make for the most significant energy savings in your home.
Plus, energy audits with Total Home Performance are available at a reduced rate through the same Home Performance with ENERGY STAR rebate program!