EmPOWER Maryland Low Income Energy Efficiency Programs (LIEEP)
WHAT IS THE EmPOWER LOW INCOME ENERGY EFFICIENCY PROGRAM?
The EmPOWER Low Income Energy Efficiency Program (LIEEP), administered by the Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) helps low income households with installation of energy conservation materials in their homes at no charge. These improvements will both reduce a household’s energy use and lower the monthly utility bills, and will also make occupants more comfortable and may improve the air quality and overall health of the family.
Funding is provided for this program through EmPOWER Maryland partners:
Baltimore Gas and Electric | Southern Maryland Electric Cooperative | Delmarva Power | Potomac Edison | Potomac Electric Power Company |
AM I ELIGIBLE?
Households may participate in the program if their annual household income is equal to or less than the equivalent of 200% of the federal poverty level. Please see the chart below to find out if your household income qualifies you to take advantage of this program. In addition to meeting income requirements, you must also have an account with one of the five participating utility companies (BGE, Delmarva, PE, Pepco and SMECO). If you own your home, you must also be able to prove ownership of your home. If you rent your home, your landlord must be able to prove ownership and agree to participate in the program.
SIZE OF FAMILY UNIT | MAXIMUM ANNUAL HOUSEHOLD INCOME (200% OF FEDERAL POVERTY LEVEL) |
---|---|
1 | $22,980 |
2 | $31,020 |
3 | $39,060 |
4 | $47,100 |
5 | $55,140 |
6 | $63,180 |
7 | $71,220 |
8 | $79,260 |
For families with more than 8 persons, add $4,020 for each additional person. |
HOW DO I APPLY?
If you are interested, please apply online (coming soon). You may also apply with the local agency for your area. These agencies are listed below.
COUNTY | PHONE NUMBER | COUNTY | PHONE NUMBER |
---|---|---|---|
Allegany Allegany Human Resources Development Commission | 301-783-1724 | HarfordMD Energy Conservation | 866-879-2283 |
Anne Arundel MD Energy Conservation | 866-879-2283 | HowardCommunity Action Council of Howard Co. | 410-313-6440 |
Baltimore City Balto. City Dept of Housing/WAP Program | 443-984-1066 | KentUpper Shore Aging | 410-778-1799 |
Baltimore County Community Assistance Network | 410-285-4674 | MontgomeryMontgomery Co. Dept. of Housing | 240-777-3788 |
Baltimore County Diversified Housing Development | 410-496-1214 | Prince George'sC&O Conservation, Inc. | 877-313-9337 |
Baltimore CountyMD Energy Conservation | 866-879-2283 | Prince George'sCounty DHCD | 301-883-5491 |
CalvertSo. MD Tri-County Community Action Comm. | 301-274-4474 | Queen AnneUpper Shore Aging | 410-778-1799 |
CarolineUpper Shore Aging | 410-778-1799 | St. Mary'sSo. MD Tri-County Community Action Comm. | 301-274-4474 |
CarrollCarroll Co. Citizen Services | 410-386-3600 | SomersetShore Up! Inc. | 410-749-1142 |
CecilMD Energy Conservation | 866-879-2283 | TalbotUpper Shore Aging | 410-778-1799 |
CharlesSo. MD Tri-County Community Action Comm. | 301-274-4474 | WashingtonC&O Conservation | 240-313-9337 |
DorchesterMD Energy Conservation | 866-879-2283 | WashingtonWashington Co. Community Action Council | 301-797-4161 |
FrederickFrederick Community Action Agency | 301-600-2070 | WicomicoShore Up! Inc. | 410-749-1142 |
GarrettGarrett Co. Community Action Committee | 301-533-9018 | WorcesterShore Up! Inc. | 410-749-1142 |
HOW DOES THE PROGRAM WORK?
Once we have determined that your household is eligible to participate in the program, you will be contacted by a local agency that will schedule a time for your home to receive an energy audit. The audit will prioritize the most effective ways to reduce your energy costs while increasing comfort. The local agency will discuss the results of the energy audit with you and schedule a contractor to come out to your home to complete the recommended work. As part of this process, the local agency will ask you to share information on your energy bills and may talk to you about things that you and your family can do to save even more energy. After the energy efficiency upgrades have been made to your home, the local agency will conduct another evaluation of your home to ensure that your home is operating more efficiently.
The program may provide the following improvements to make your home safer, healthier and more energy efficient:
- Insulation in the attic, floors and walls;
- Hot water system improvements;
- Lighting retrofits;
- Furnace cleaning, tuning and safety repairs;
- Refrigerator retrofit, if applicable;
- Health and safety items.
HELPFUL INFORMATION AND OTHER RESOURCES
- Program Guidance for Network Partners
- 15 Things That Will EmPOWER You To Save Money
- Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP)
- Office of Home Energy Programs (OHEP)
- Maryland Energy Administration
- MEEHA-EmPOWER
For More Information, Please Contact:
- Housing and Building Energy Programs - EmPOWER Low Income Energy Efficiency Program
- Community Development Administration
- 100 Community Place
- Crownsville, MD 21032
- 1-855-583-8976
- www.mdhousing.org/EmPOWER