The Maryland Energy Administration’s ​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​Energy Efficiency Equity Grant Program enables Sustain our Future Foundation to offer these home energy upgrades free of charge to eligible homeowners. The grants are designed to provide energy efficiency projects to reduce energy usage and costs for income qualifying residents. Sustain our Future Foundation is a registered non-profit organization that has entered into a partnership with Lumeco Energy to offer the energy audit and installation services to eligible homeowners.

Potential no-cost home upgrades for eligible families include:

• New HVAC: Installation of a new efficient electric heating system, an air source heat pump.

• Residential Energy Audit: Analysis of your home’s air leakage, energy efficiency, and health & safety.

• Attic Weatherization: Air sealing gaps/leaks and insulation installation.

• Health & Safety: Tests for leaks, mold, asbestos, carbon monoxide, and gas leaks.

• Ventilation: Installation of exhaust fans to improve indoor air quality.

For more information, review the steps below.

Once homeowners are found eligible, they will follow the following steps. Further details are outlined below.

Steps to Upgrade Your Home:

1. Homeowner Completes Eligibility Application

2. If eligible, applicants must submit supporting documentation such as paystubs, employment certification, and a recent utility bill.

3. If an applicant is eligible, they will then schedule a 30-minute pre-inspection visit for Lumeco Energy to assess their home insulation and energy needs in person. 

4. If upgrades are determined to be viable, homeowners will schedule Lumeco Energy to visit their home for an energy audit which lasts 1 to 2 hours.

5. If needed and eligible, Lumeco provides homes with pre-weatherization services such as addressing roof leaks, mold, asbestos, electrical wiring, foundation damage, or structural damage.

6. Lumeco Energy staff will visit your home to install weatherization upgrades such as new insulation and sealing gaps and drafts. 

7. Lumeco Energy will replace your home heating system from oil or propane to a new energy-efficient electric heating system. 

A member of the household should plan to be home during the time that Lumeco Energy is providing services. Typically services can be scheduled Monday through Saturday between 8am and 6pm.

Homeowners must complete an online application to determine eligibility. The eligibility criteria include: 

• Homeowner with a current oil or propane heating system who is willing to switch to electric 

• Reside in Baltimore City or the following counties: Howard, Montgomery, Anne Arundel, Prince George’s, Charles, or St. Mary’s

• Low or moderate income (85% of median income, as defined by state requirements) 

The following table outlines eligibility based on income, household size, and county.

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Supporting Documentation:

Eligible households must provide the following supporting documentation to verify eligibility: 

• Recent pay stubs (no more than 2 months old)

• Submit a verification letter from household employers stating salary

• Copy of a recent utility bill (no more than 3 months old)

• Verification of participation in another state-funded program that requires moderate-income eligibility to enroll

Pre-inspection Visit:

Homeowners will arrange a pre-inspection visit from Lumeco energy. This is a visual inspection with a brief custom interview. This allows Lumeco Energy to assess if the applicant’s home is weatherization and electrification ready.

Program staff will conduct a visual inspection of each home to determine feasibility and the electrical upgrade costs for converting to a heat pump system. Costs must fit within the allowable electrical budget limit of $2,000 in order for the home to qualify.

This includes a visual inspection of the exterior and interior of the home to ensure there are no health and safety risks that prevent weatherization (i.e. roof leaks, significant mold growth, asbestos, attic knob-and-tube electrical wiring, significant building foundation damage, significant structural damage, etc).

If the home has already received any weatherization or equipment upgrades through any other state funded programs (i.e. Weatherization Assistance Program, EmPower Maryland Low income Energy Efficiency Program, etc.) they may not be eligible.

Pre-weatherization:

Homeowners who are found to be ineligible for weatherization would need to undergo pre-weatherization in-order to qualify. Pre-weatherization is offered as part of the program if costs are below $1,500. This process may include addressing roof leaks, mold, asbestos, electrical wiring, foundation damage, or structural damage if eligible.

Energy Audits: 

During an energy audit, a Building Performance Institute (BPI) certified expert from Luemco Energy will conduct a thorough analysis of your home’s air leakage, energy efficiency, and health & safety—ensuring maximum comfort and savings.

During an energy audit, the following will be assessed: 

• Blower door testing to determine air leakage

• Duct blaster testing to determine duct leakage

• Test for toxic carbon monoxide 

• Test for gas leaks

• Check mechanical ventilation equipment

• Inspect building exterior such as roof, door/window openings, gutters, and foundation

• Inspect attic and crawl space to measure insulation levels

• Inspect all HVAC and water heating systems

Energy audits can take 1 to 3 hours to complete depending on the size and heating fuel of the home. An energy audit typically costs $400 and this program will cover the full cost. 

Weatherization:

Air sealing means making your home more airtight by sealing gaps and holes. Around 25% of your home’s energy loss comes from air leakage—where outdoor air seeps in, and conditioned air escapes through cracks. Lumeco Energy’s experts take precision action to find and eliminate those leaks. They also enhance insulation by blowing in fiberglass to R49 levels, maximizing comfort and efficiency.

Air leakage occurs when outside air enters, and conditioned air leaves your home through cracks. This can contribute to moisture problems, which can cause mold to grow and compromise the indoor air quality of your home. To prevent this, Lumeco’s weatherization experts perform targeted air-sealing to seal up cracks and openings.

Examples of the weatherization process offered includes: 

• Air seal attic (seal gaps) to achieve a minimum of 20% reduction in air leakage

• Install attic insulation to meet a minimum R-value of R49

• Install rim/band joist (foundation/basement) air sealing and insulation to a minimum of R19

• Install dense packing insulation as needed

• Insulate and weatherstrip attic hatch 

• Install baffles where soffit vents are present (to provide ventilation along the interior of the roof)

• Install cantilevers insulation (if applicable)

• Install weatherstripping on exterior doors and windows

• Caulk and seal electrical and plumbing fixtures

Heating System Replacement:

The final step will be replacing your home heating system with new energy efficient electric heating, This process includes: 

• Convert heating fuel from oil or propane to 15.2 SEER2 air source heat pump systems

• Convert water heater from oil or propane to heat pump water heating systems

• Upgrade electrical panels to support electrification as needed

Transitioning from oil or propane to electric may include decommissioning of the existing oil/propane system, electrical work to meet the power/amperage requirements of the new heat pump system, ductwork as needed to ensure proper distribution of airflow, drywall repair of any damage associated with installation, etc.

Heat pumps: Heath pumps use electricity to move heat, instead of burning fossil fuels to create heat. By transferring heat between cool spaces and warm spaces, heat pumps efficiently keep indoor air temperatures more comfortable. 

Learn more about how heat pumps work and their benefits from the Maryland Energy Administration and Department of Energy. 

The staff and contractor team conducting the energy audits and upgrades meet rigorous standards of certification, licensing, and credentials. These include: 

• Holds appropriate licenses or certifications required to perform services

• Energy audits performed by certified Building Analyst Technician with the Building Performance Institute 

• Modeling and planning projects performed by  certified Building Analyst Professional by the Building Performance Institute

• Active participating Home Performance with Energy contractor within regions (Pepco, BGE and SMECO)

• Licensed Maryland Home Improvement Contractor (MHIC)

• Licensed in MD for applicable work: Master HVAC, Master Plumber, and Master Electrician

• Scheduling and communication system to track all projects and to ensure overall customer satisfaction

• Incorporated business entity within the state and in good standing with the state

• Registered with the Better Business Bureau with A or better rating 

• Has adequate insurance to include a minimum of $1,000,000 in commercial general liability

• Has adequate workers compensation insurance 

About Lumeco Energy

Lumeco Energy is a licensed Maryland Home Improvement Commission (MHIC) general contractor with over 30 years of residential and commercial construction experience.

• Lumeco Energy has provided over 1.5 million dollars in Clean Energy Grant funding to more than 300 homeowners through their partnership with Prince George’s County’s Office of Sustainable Energy. 

• Through Lumeco’s work, residents were able to save a minimum total kWh savings of 15% and electricity cost savings of $550 annually.

•  In 2021, Lumeco Energy was inducted into Pepco’s HPwES Century Club

• Completed over 100 projects annually for 3 consecutive years since joining Pepco’s HPwES program in 2020

• Ranked #1 for overall for project completion, completing over 200 projects in 2021 alone

If you do not qualify for the no-cost home energy updates, there are local, state, and federal incentives to help homeowners with home energy efficiency updates. 

Available Rebates: 

Through EmPOWER Maryland and your local utility, you may be able to receive a subsidized energy audit and retrofit rebates such as:

TABLE

Full list of jobs and measures

*Project must include attic air sealing and attic insulation (R-49)

Utilities:

Each utility company offers information on how to save energy as well as steps to participate in energy efficiency upgrade tax rebate and incentive programs: 

• Baltimore Gas and Electric (BGE)

• Pepco

• Delmarva Power

• Southern Maryland Electric Cooperative 

• Potomac Edison

• Washington Gas

Federal Tax Credit:

You may be eligible for federal tax credits through the Home Performance Program.

• Air sealing, insulation installation, and home performance audits are eligible for a tax credit of 30% of the project cost, up to $1,200.

• 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. 

• For eligibility requirements, current tax credit, and more, visit energystar.gov.

• Contact a tax professional or CPA to confirm details specific to your qualifications and eligibility.

Financing:

Loan options specifically for Maryland residents performing energy efficiency improvements include: 

• BeSMART Energy Efficiency Financing: State loans for qualified applicants up to $30,000 (unsecured) at a 6.99% fixed interest rate for a 10-year term.

• Energy Finance Solutions: State loans for qualified applicants up to $15,000 (unsecured), beginning at 8.49% with fixed-rate terms up to 10 years.

• Maryland Clean Energy Advantage Loan Program: Assistance for home improvement projects? Click here to learn about The , extended through December 31, 2025.

• Low Income Energy Efficiency Program (LIEEP): Assists low-income households with installation of energy conservation measures in their homes with no out-of-pocket expenses. Administered by The Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD). 

• Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) Rebates: Two IRA rebate programs are in development in Maryland. The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) and the Maryland Energy Administration (MEA) have not yet finalized these programs.