Wednesday, January 13, 2016

Make Your Home More Energy Efficient At No Cost To You!

Contact me directly at 301.830.4149 so that I can walk you through the process.  This is for renters and homeowners.

EmPOWER Maryland Low Income Energy Efficiency Program


 
The EmPOWER Low Income Energy Efficiency Program 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 an​d lower the monthly utility bills, and will also make occupants more comfortable and may improve the air quality and overall health of the family.

ELIGIBILITY​

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.
To appl​y, please call the department's energy
efficiency programs at 1-855-583-8976.​

2015 Poverty Income Guidelines. Contiguous States U.S. Grantees. 

Effective February 6, 2015

​​Size of Family UnitFederal Poverty Level200% of Federal Poverty Level
1$11,770$23,540
2$15,930$31,860
3$20,090$40,180
4$24,250$48,500
5$28,410$56,820
6$32,570$65,140
7$36,730$73,460
8$40,890$81,780
For families with more than 8 persons, 100% of poverty level increases $4,160 for each additional person. Therefore, for weatherization at 200% of poverty level, add $8,320 for each additional person.


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


FOR MORE INFORMATION, CONTACT:

Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development
Housing and Building Energy Programs
7800 Harkins Road, Lanham, MD 20706
1-855-583-8976​

Funding is provided for this program through EmPOWER Maryland partners:

Baltimore Gas and Electric
Baltimore Gas and Electric
Southern Maryland Electric Cooperative
Southern Maryland Electric Cooperative
Delmarva Power
Delmarva Power
Potomac Edison
Potomac Edison
Potomac Electric Power Company
Potomac Electric Power Company

Thursday, January 7, 2016

FREE Home Energy Audits for Veterans and Active Military from SMECO!

Patriot Connect

Patriot Connect is a SMECO program designed to help veterans and active military personnel who may be having a difficult time transitioning back into the community.
As reports in the media indicate, the high incidence of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) among military personnel has been at the root of an increased number of suicides. Nationally, as many as 22 veterans commit suicide every day, according to the Department of Veterans Affairs.
For vets who may be unable to cope, dealing with a termination notice from SMECO could be the last straw. So we are reaching out to the men and women who have served our country in an effort to help prevent an unnecessary tragedy.

What is SMECO doing?

For new customers, SMECO’s customer service personnel are empowered to waive the service application fee and the customer deposit for eligible veterans and military personnel.
For existing customers, customer service personnel may grant an extension for eligible veterans or active military personnel in need of assistance.

Working with local agencies:

SMECO is working with local agencies that provide services to veterans and military personnel, as well as organizations that provide funds to support veterans, because these agencies can help promote this program to the people who need it.

What is SMECO’s goal?

Our goal is to help someone who is suffering from a stress disorder get one step closer to a normal life. By making it easier for people with PTSD, combat stress, or related trauma to accomplish everyday tasks, we hope to help customer-members—people who have risked their lives in service to our country—with reintegrating into the community.

For Bill Payment Assistance:

Maryland Office of Home Energy Programs
Southern Maryland Tri-County Community Action Committee 
301-274-4474301-475-5574301-870-3770, or 410-535-1010
Prince George’s County Department of Social Services 
301-909-6300

For Financial Assistance:

Semper Fi Fund (Post-9/11 wounded)
760-725-3680
VFW/American Legion Posts (Veterans only)
Salvation Army/WAFF
301-638-9532 (Call for an appointment)
Interfaith Community Connection 
301-374-9028

For Other Assistance:

Maryland Commitment to Veterans 
(Department of Health and Mental Hygiene)
410-725-9993
Southern Maryland JobSource 
Prince Frederick - 443-550-6750
Waldorf - 301-645-8712
Leonardtown - 301-880-2800