WES Blog — Improving Your Home – Energy & Weatherization

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As we head into the winter months and more time indoors, improving our homes through weatherization and energy improvements can:

  • Lower monthly bills
  • Improve comfort
  • Improve air quality
  • Eliminate some health and safety issues, and
  • Reduce global warming. 

The Earth Ethics Action Team has found several programs available in the local area to help residents with these projects.

PepCo

PepCo customers can get an Energy Audit of their homes. The one-hour quick version is free while the more in-depth version has been subsidized to cost the homeowner $100. PepCo also offers rebates for appliances such as water heaters, smart thermostats, and dehumidifiers as well as discounts on lighting.

DC

All DC residents can get a free home energy conservation ki from DC Sustainable Energy Utility. They have information for homeowners and rebates on smart thermostats, air conditioners, and dehumidifiers.
DC’s Department of Energy & Environment offers a Weatherization Assistance Program to low-income residents by performing energy audits and installing recommended energy efficiency measures. More information, such as the income restrictions and how to apply, can be found at https://doee.dc.gov/service/weatherization-assistance-program.

MD

The Maryland Energy Administration has funded EDGE Energy, in partnership with Block Chain Frontiers Foundation, to provide energy and weatherization grants for low- and moderate-income households. An overview of the grant, income restrictions, and a link to the application can be found at https://www.edge-gogreen.com/grants/ or https://thebcff.org/portfolio-items/weatherization/. 

There is also the EmPower Maryland Low Income Energy Efficiency Program, which conducts an energy audit, discusses the results with you, and then schedules a contractor to do the recommended work. In addition to income restrictions, the program requires participants to have a utility account with BGE, Delmarva Power, FirstEnergy, Pepco, SMECO, or Washington Gas. More information about the program can be found at https://dhcd.maryland.gov/Residents/Pages/lieep/default.aspx. 

If you’d like help finding more programs, in different jurisdictions, please contact Laura Briskin-Limehouse at laura.briskin.limehouse@gmail.com. If you’d like to learn more about EEAT, contact Rich Reis at rich.reis1@gmail.com