Become a Participating Homebuilder

By partnering with the BGE Smart Energy Savers Program^® and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) ENERGY STAR for New Homes Program, you can provide your customers with a high-quality home built to strict energy efficiency standards, which helps them reduce their energy use, save money and do their part for the environment. Participating builders can earn up to $3,950 for each ENERGY STAR® (NextGen) certified home built.

Financial incentives for every ENERGY STAR New Home you build.
Differentiate your business in the marketplace as an energy-efficient builder.
Technical support and training to help you meet program guidelines.
Marketing support from BGE to help you gain recognition as an ENERGY STAR builder.

Participating builders receive rebates for each home constructed in the BGE service territory that meets or exceeds ENERGY STAR new construction standards for single family homes, duplexes, townhomes, and low-rise multifamily units. Homes that meet ENERGY STAR Version 3.1 or 3.2 with 100% LED lighting are eligible for the following incentives:

Certification Level
House Type	ENERGY STAR^® Version 3.1	ENERGY STAR^® Version 3.2	ENERGY STAR^® NextGen All-Electric
Single-family Detached	$1,250	$1,950	$3,950
Townhouse or Duplex	$750	$1,400	$3,400
Two-on-Two Condo	$550	$675	$2,675
Multi Family Low Rise	$400	$600	$2,600

Not ready to go all-in on NextGen? Earn more by adding any combination of the following upgrades:

Optional Upgrades	Bonus
ENERGY STAR® Heat Pump Water Heater	+ $1,000
High Efficiency Heat Pump, >15.2 SEER2, >8.5 HSPF2	+ $450
High Efficiency Air Conditioner, >15.2 SEER2	+ $200
HVAC Grade I Quality Install	+ $150
ENERGY STAR® Smart Thermostat	+ $75

Optional upgrades apply when certifying to v3.1 and v3.2. Homes that meet NextGen will qualify for the $2,000 bonus. (e.g., Single family detached home that meets NextGen will receive $1,950 + $2,000 for a total rebate of $3,950)

To be eligible for rebates, the home must meet the following criteria:

Be new construction
Have electric distribution service provided by BGE
Be completed within the calendar year of application submittal
Have all required ENERGY STAR inspections
Not have passed rough framing at the point of application

Find a participating rater to help your homes achieve ENERGY STAR certification.

After your application has been approved, you will be added to the list of participating builders. Your HERS rater will then be able to register and submit your homes for rebates. Your HERS rater will use the Ekotrope Online Portal to register and submit your homes using the required information for each home.

For more details on how your HERS rater registers and submits homes, please see these instructions.

To check on the status of homes your HERS rater has registered or submitted, you will receive a weekly summary report detailing registered homes, rebate statuses, and check information for paid rebates when applicable. For additional insight, please contact Carlos Rivas at Carlos.Rivas@icf.com.

In November 2023, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) launched a new certification option as part of its highly successful ENERGY STAR® partnership program ENERGY STAR NextGen Certified Homes and Apartments. This new certification offers an additional, optional level of recognition for homes and apartments equipped with leading-edge, efficient electric technologies and electric vehicle charging capabilities to maximize energy and emissions savings. Learn more.

Additional Resources