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How Maryland Energy Efficiency Compares to Other States

Maryland is now one of the top states when it comes to energy efficiency, joining other states like California and New York.

How exactly did Maryland become so energy efficient, and how can you, as a Maryland homeowner, do the same? We’ll explain everything and offer helpful energy efficiency upgrade tips below.

Maryland Energy Efficiency Fast Facts

  • If Maryland homeowners upgrade to heat pumps or other electric heating and cooling equipment, the state’s overall electricity consumption for heating and cooling will decrease. Heat pumps are replacing lower-efficiency HVAC systems.

  • EmPOWER programs generate $1.61 in benefits for every $1 spent.

  • The state was expected to save $13 billion over the life of the energy efficiency measures through the end of 2021.

  • EmPOWER saved 13,576,132MWh and 2,849 MW—an equivalent to reducing 9.6 million metric tons of carbon dioxide or greenhouse emissions.

    • This equals over 2 million vehicles driven or over 1.8 million homes’ annual energy use.

  • In 2021, 47,476 limited-income customers participated in EmPOWER Maryland through the Residential Limited-Income Programs—which saved each participant 1,784 kWh on average.

  • In 2021, Maryland spent $194.2 million on limited-income energy efficiency programs.

What Is the EmPOWER Program?

Throughout this article, you are going to see “EmPOWER” a lot. The EmPOWER Maryland Energy Efficiency program Act was established in 2008 to encourage more energy efficiency and conservation within the state.

Because of EmPOWER, Maryland’s five largest electric utilities created programs to help homeowners and businesses save energy and money through different incentives.

The EmPOWER Act was updated in 2024. The additions include:

  • Helping Marylanders update their heating and cooling appliances to more energy-efficient alternatives

  • Reducing utility profits, lowering ratepayer costs, and tying future profits to performance

  • Offering incentives and rebates for home energy audits, weatherization support, appliance tune-ups, and new appliances

  • Helping limited-income households use state and federal funds for energy efficiency home upgrades

  • Requiring Choptank Electric Cooperative to offer energy efficiency programs

Recommended: HVAC MAINTENANCE CHECKLIST

5 Common Energy-Efficient Home Upgrades in Maryland

If you want to learn how to save energy at home, look at your current home systems. Here are the upgrades your fellow Marylanders are adding to their home.

1. Heat Pumps

A heat pump works as both a heating and cooling system and doesn’t use fossil fuels. Installed outside your home, it pulls heat from the outside and into your home during cold months. During the summer, it pulls heat away from your home to keep it cool. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, you can reduce your energy use up to 30-60% using a heat pump.

2. Air Purifiers

Air purifiers not only improve your home’s air quality but can also improve the overall efficiency of your heating and cooling systems. All the dirt and debris in the air (think dust, pollen, pet dander) can clog up your systems, causing them to work harder. This leads to less efficiency and higher energy use (and costs).

Using an air purifier can save 98% of Maryland homeowners money on their energy bills.

3. Programmable Thermostat

A programmable thermostat allows you to create a preset temperature schedule. By setting different temperatures throughout the day, your system uses energy more efficiently.

Save 10% annually on heating and cooling by setting your thermostat back 7 to 10°F from its normal setting for 8 hours a day (like while you’re at work).

4. Insulation

Insulation is one of those invisible but important aspects of your home. Insulation prevents any air or temperature leaks. Over time, insulation degrades and requires an upgrade.

Poor insulation forces heating and cooling systems to work harder, which can drive up energy bills. In fact, 89% of U.S. single-family homes are under-insulated.

5. Sealing

Sealing your windows and doors is another crucial energy efficiency home improvement upgrade. Like insulation, it improves efficiency by stopping air leaks.

The Environmental Protection Agency estimates homeowners can save 15% of heating and cooling costs by sealing and adding insulation to their homes.

Sign up for our Pro Plan to save money as you make energy-efficient HVAC upgrades!

Maryland Energy Efficiency Programs, Rebates, and Tax Credits

Take advantage of these Maryland energy efficiency rebates and tax credits to ease the cost of upgrades, such as an energy-efficient HVAC system, which can range from $5,225 to $13,000.

EmPOWER Maryland

ENERGY STAR®

How Homeowners Can Improve Energy Efficiency with Blue Dot Services

When evaluating your home for the best energy efficiency upgrades, you want someone you can trust. Blue Dot has over 40 years of experience helping Maryland homeowners with a range of heating and cooling needs.

Whether you need help with replacements or installations, our guarantee ensures you're happy with our work. We offer specials and financing options to ease pressure on your budget—after all, everyone deserves to live comfortably.

Call us at 410-204-2662 or schedule an appointment online today!

Read our blog for more helpful energy efficiency tips!

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