Michael makes magic
There are a lot of great things going on in Michael’s single-family home—including saving energy.
There are a lot of great things going on in Michael’s single-family home—including saving energy.
Visit Michael and you step into a world of finely crafted furniture, calming original music and serene art—all created by Michael and his wife, Lisa. Since retiring from a career in technology, Michael channels his boundless energy into a wide range of creative pursuits that keep him engaged, productive and inspired.
A DIY guy from a young age, Michael made many energy efficiency improvements to his home himself. Yet even as someone who considers himself a savvy saver, he found he had something to learn from his home energy audit. Watch the video to hear Michael’s story in his own words.
The first step to discovering how to make your home more comfortable and energy efficient is to select a participating contractor and schedule a home energy audit. The cost for the audit is *$100 (a $400 value). Once the audit is completed, you may qualify for rebates averaging $3,000. Learn more about the home energy audit and available rebates by selecting the buttons below.
Once you’ve scheduled your audit and the date is set, a certified contractor will use diagnostic equipment to perform this comprehensive evaluation and determine how improvements throughout your home can work together to increase energy efficiency and savings.
This process may include:
Following your audit, you'll learn about the rebates available for upgrades to solve the energy efficiency problems identified in your home. Making those upgrades can help you save even more energy and money.
This offer is valid for BGE residential customers applying through the Home Performance with ENERGY STAR Program only. To qualify, the homeowner must be a residential BGE customer with a BGE account number and work with a participating contractor.
All BGE residential electric and/or natural gas distribution customers are eligible, regardless of your electricity and/or natural gas supplier.
Questions? Check out our FAQs. Or feel free to consult our Energy Coaches about the process. See our program brochure to learn more.
Looking for assistance with home improvement projects? Click here to learn about The Maryland Clean Energy Advantage Loan Program!
When your home energy audit is complete, your contractor will provide you a prioritized list of recommended energy efficiency improvements with rebate amounts specifically tailored for your home. You decide which solutions best fit your budget. Once completed, BGE will reward you with rebates to help cover the cost of the work.
Your rebate amount is based on the estimated electric and gas savings of eligible measures as calculated by your contractor using BGE-approved energy modeling software. The below table gives you an overview of the available rebates ranging from $100 to $10,000. The more you save, the bigger your rebate!
| Measures | Rebate Amount |
|---|---|
| Air Sealing and Insulation | Rebate amount based on modeled electric and gas savings up to $10,000 or 75% of total project cost. |
| Heating and Cooling Equipment* | |
| ENERGY STAR® Windows and Doors* | |
| Heat Pump Water Heaters | |
| Duct Sealing | $500, or $750 if done in combination with Air Sealing and Insulation. |
| Smart Thermostat | $100 per ENERGY STAR® certified smart thermostat with professional installation. Up to three. |
| Total Maximum Customer Rebate | Rebate amount based on modeled electric and gas savings up to $10,000 or 75% of total project cost. |
Full list of jobs and measures
*Project must include attic air sealing and attic insulation (R-49)
You may be eligible for federal tax credits through the Home Performance Program.
Air sealing and insulation work—as well as the home performance audit expense itself—are eligible for a tax credit of 30% of the project cost, up to $1,200.
Additionally, the purchase of a heat pump water heater or air source heat pump may be eligible for tax credits of 30% of project cost, up to $2,000. Check eligibility requirements, discover more tax credits, and learn more at energystar.gov.
Disclaimer: Please contact a tax professional or CPA to confirm details specific to your qualifications and eligibility.
Questions? Check out our FAQs.
If you are interested in financing opportunities, loan options have been created specifically for Maryland residents performing energy efficiency improvements.
Note: BGE does not endorse any particular financing organization. Please research options before submitting a financing application.
This offer is valid for BGE residential customers applying through the Home Performance with ENERGY STAR Program only. To qualify, the homeowner must be a residential BGE customer with a BGE account number and work with a participating contractor.
All BGE residential electric and/or natural gas distribution customers are eligible, regardless of your electricity and/or natural gas supplier.
All work performed must meet strict building standards. Air sealing must be completed prior to installing insulation. Most projects require installation of programmable ventilation to comply with indoor air quality standards. Talk to your contractor about how ventilation and air sealing work together to make your home more comfortable, safe, and energy efficient.
* The $100 offer is valid for homes up to 3,000 square feet with a single combustion appliance zone. Audits of larger homes or ones with multiple combustion appliance zones may cost more. Customers should discuss the costs with their selected participating contractor. Each customer is eligible for one program-discounted home energy audit per unique address.
“The home energy audit really helped us out quite a bit. It identified that our furnace was older, and it just wasn’t efficient.”
— Michael
Michael and Lisa at one of their paint-and-play sessions, where everything looks better under energy-efficient LED lighting.
Michael used his DIY skills to insulate his garage shop. Now he can craft comfortably year-round.
