Great News for Homeowners in Kentland

County Exec Tours Kentland Home Restoration Project

HIP’s Stephanie Proestel points out improvements to County Exec. Rushern Baker while Maryann Dillon and Mary Hunter look on.

On May 12, Prince George’s County Executive Rushern Baker toured three blocks in the Kentland neighborhood of Landover, part of the County’s Transforming Neighborhoods Initiative. HIP, working in partnership with County agencies, the Neighborhood Design Center and Habitat for Humanity Metro Maryland, spearheaded improvements for 25 low-income homeowners in this targeted area. In addition, HIP is acquiring and gut renovating four vacant homes in the area using Maryland Community Legacy funds as well as County resources. Repairs and upgrades were completed by JD Clark Professional Services, a County-based minority woman-owned business, and Denison Landscaping, a County-based family business.

The County’s TNI team provided grants of approximately $12,000 per homeowner to undertake improvements such as window and siding repair and replacement, roof repair and replacement, new entry doors and fixtures, gutters and painting, and landscaping based on scopes of work developed by Rutkove Building Consultants. The County’s Raincheck Rebate program provided another $40,000 to install rainbarrels and permeable pavers that will absorb stormwater runoff from over 11,000 square feet of previously impermeable surfaces. Prince George’s County Department of Public Works invested over $700,000 in street paving and sidewalk repairs. The Neighborhood Design Center planted 115 street trees through the Right Tree, Right Place program. And Habitat for Humanity completed weatherization work and home repairs worth $40,000 on four homes.

To learn more about the project and view the “Before and After” photos of the Kentlands Restoration Program, click here!

A proud homeowner cuts the ribbon to her walkway with Council Member Andrea Harris and others.

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 Unit	Federal Poverty Level	200% 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

• Program Guidance for Network Partners​
• 15 Things That Will EmPOWER You To Save Money 
• Weatherization Assistance Program
• Office of Home Energy Programs
• Maryland Energy Administration 
• Multifamily Energy Efficiency and Housing Affordability​-EmPOWER​

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

Southern Maryland Electric Cooperative

Delmarva Power

Potomac Edison

Potomac Electric Power Company

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 
301-274-4474, 301-475-5574, 301-870-3770, 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

Three Oaks Homeless Shelter
301-863-9535

Veterans Trust Fund, Maryland Dept. of Veterans Affairs (Veterans only)
410-974-2399

VFW/American Legion Posts (Veterans only)

Salvation Army/WAFF
301-638-9532 (Call for an appointment)

Lifestyles of Maryland
301-609-9900

Interfaith Community Connection 
301-374-9028

Calvert County Department of Social Services 
443-550-6900

Charles County Department of Social Services 
301-392-6400

St. Mary’s County Department of Social Services 
240-895-7000 or 240-725-5700

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

Open House Today, August 16th From 1 to 4 pm

Earn while you learn! Students: apply for MDE's Enviromental Science Student Award & Internship!

Application and instructions are available on MDE's website DOWNLOAD APPLICATION STAY CONNECTED

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Elysian Energy Offers Home Energy Check-Up to Dominion VA Power Subscribers

Home Energy Check-Up

How does it work?

Check out our video detailing the measures and benefits!

Getting Started

Have a Home Energy Check-Up completed and you’ll receive a personalized report showing the projected energy and potential cost savings you could earn resulting from the implementation of options identified during the check-up.

Once you provide documentation that some of the recommended energy efficiency improvements have been made, a portion of the check-up price will be refunded, up to the full price of the check-up for measures completed at the time of the check-up.

Program Details

This program can help reduce costs while improving the efficiency of your home. We make it easy to participate and customize the recommendations to maximize the benefits for you.

The Home Energy Check-Up provides you with:

• An on-site analysis of your  energy use
• A report which contains cost-effective options and easy-to-follow recommendations to help you reduce your energy usage
• Financial incentives that cover approved measures
• Connection to prequalified contractors who can perform the work
• Equipment installation at your convenience

Dominion’s Home Energy Check-Up offers incentives for the installation of a variety of energy saving measures, including:

• compact florescent light bulbs,
• efficient faucet aerators and showerheads,
• replacement air filters for air conditioners,
• door weather-stripping, and
• smart outlet strips.

Here's a complete list of approved measures.

The Results

The average one-time incentive is approximately $230, based on the number of energy saving measures installed during the visit.

Note: One audit per location.

Participate Now

Contact local, participating contractor at Elysian Energy or Operations Director, Whitney Cooper at 240-393-4495 or whitney@elysianenergy.com.

On the day of the Home Energy Check-Up the contractor will do the following:

• Perform a 2-3 hour walkthrough of your home
• Upon completion of the Home Energy Check-Up, the contractor will generate a personalized report that recommends certain direct install measures that can be completed the day of the check-up and are eligible for rebates as well as project more advanced savings opportunities you can also take advantage of.
• Ask for your information in order to complete the electronic rebate application for you

You will receive a confirmation email the day your rebate information is received.  After you receive the initial confirmation email, you can check your rebate status using Manage Your Account or by calling 1-888-366-8280.

Your rebate check will be mailed directly to you. Customers may also assign their rebate directly to the contractor for instant savings on the cost of services. Not all contractors offer the instant rebate option. Contact your participating contractor for additional rebate details.

For more information, check out the program FAQs or call 1-888-366-8280.

Additional Information

• Register and Get Rewarded!
• Home Energy Check-Up Terms and Conditions
• Home Energy Check-Up Rebate Chart
• Home Energy Check-Up Rebate Application

Maryland's Tax Free Weekend for Certain Energy Star Products

Shop Maryland Energy From the MD Comptroller Website

Maryland's Tax Free Weekend for Certain Energy Star Products Consumers will get a break from the state's 6 percent sales tax on qualifying Energy Star products from February 14-16, 2015. During Shop Maryland Energy weekend, the following Energy Star products are tax free: Air conditioners Washers and dryers Furnaces Heat pumps Boilers Solar water heaters (tax-exempt at all times now) Standard size refrigerators Dehumidifiers Programmable thermostats Compact fluorescent light bulbs Light-emitting diode (LED) light bulbs Shop Maryland Energy weekend will occur in perpetuity (or until legislative amendment) from the Saturday immediately preceding the third Monday in February until the third Monday of February. Additionally, a tax free week on clothing and footwear priced $100 or less will occur every year during the second week of August. From 12:01 a.m. on Saturday, February 14, through midnight on Monday, February 16, 2015, qualifying ENERGY STAR products will be exempt from Maryland’s six percent sales tax. A list of exempt and taxable items is available on the Comptroller’s Web site at www.marylandtaxes.com, or by calling the Taxpayer Service Section at 410-260-7980 in Central Maryland or toll-free 1-800-MD TAXES from elsewhere. More information on Shop Maryland Energy ENERGY STAR Maryland Energy Administration Energy.gov Maryland Department of the Environment Maryland Department of Natural Resources Chesapeake Bay Foundation Chesapeake Bay Trust BGE Smart Energy Saver Programs PEPCO Energy Saver Programs Delmarva Power Energy Saver Programs SMECO Energy Saver Programs Potomac Edison Energy Saver Programs

Links for Shop Maryland Energy

Agency Information

Office of the Comptroller

Comptroller Initiatives

Shop Maryland Energy

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A More Efficient Home This Thanksgiving

DAILY REAL ESTATE NEWS | FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 21, 2014

Consumer home ownership site HouseLogic has a whole list of ways you and your clients can avoid gobbling up more energy than necessary this Thanksgiving. They've mapped out ways to save on energy before Turkey day as well as during the cooking and cleanup processes. Keep these tips in mind, and consider sending them to homeowners and clients who are concerned about the high energy costs of entertaining.

MXM for HouseLogic

Before:

• Install a dimmer switches. Every time you dim a bulb’s brightness by 10 percent, you’ll double its lifespan.
• Plan side dishes that can cook simultaneously with the turkey. If you cook dishes at the same temperature at the same time, you’ll reduce the amount of time the oven has to be running.

During cook-time:

• The oven will keep your home cozy, so you can lower your house thermostat a few degrees.
• If you use your oven’s convection feature, you'll reduce the required temperature and cooking time and cut your energy use by about 20 percent.
• Use microwaves and slow cookers whenever possible, as they both use less energy than ovens overall.

After the meal:

• Scrape plates instead of rinsing. Then, use your dishwasher (on the air-dry setting) on whatever dishes you can, as it saves both energy and water.
• Compost your non-meat food waste.

Houselogic doesn't just dole out energy tips; they also have a separate piece all about how to clean up after thanksgiving in half the time. Cheers!

Source: "9 Ways to Avoid Gobbling Up Energy on Thanksgiving," Houselogic (Nov. 12, 2012)

GREENing Your Home in Maryland - Do it for a discount!!

Angel S.

Providing Monumental Results

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Angel S
Phone:
240.34.ANGEL
Mobile:
240.342.6435
Fax:
240.296.5052

Email

Office:
Upper Marlboro

Buyers Resources This Month In Real Estate Eight steps to buying your home Deciding how much house you can afford Creating your home wishlist Location, Location, Location Opting for new home construction How can a real estate agent help me? Eight important questions to ask your agent Mortgage Calculator Contact us about buying a home  Twitter

 Did you know that the state of Maryland, by way of the Maryland Energy Administration has been charged with the task to reduce energy consumption by 15% by the year 2015?  Yes, that's right.  Our Governor has enacted an EmPOWER Maryland initiative to help make the plan a reality.  

 

What does this mean for you?  

 

Free stuff, discounts, and rebates on energy saving measures for your home.

What do you need to do?  

 

1st - Sign up with Elysian Energy to receive your Quick Home Energy Check Up (QHEC).  This is a service that is already included in your utility bill so if you don't take advantage of it you are really missing an opportunity to use what you've already paid for and also an opportunity to save money on your utility bills with this service.  You will receive a call from Elysian Energy to schedule your QHEC.  There is, again, no additional cost.  They will come to your home and provide CFL light bulbs, faucet aerators, low flow shower heads, power strips and pipe wrap for your hot water tank.  This small step toward living GREEN can save you hundreds of dollars per year off of your utility bills!  (Currently servicing Pepco and BGE customers)

Here is the Quick Home Energy Check-up link:  Put your agent's name at the bottom and if you don't have one put my name Angel Brown.

 

2nd -  The next level up would be to have an Energy Audit.  This is the more comprehensive way to tell where your home is losing energy/money.  There is a monetary cost to the audit.  They are $400; however, the utility companies will subsidize $300 of that so you only pay $100!  The intrinsic value of having this audit done however is priceless.  In addition to energy findings your home will be tested for health and safety issues.  Once you know how your home performs you can take steps to remedy any deficiencies.  Plus, having this audit unlocks the rebates up to $3,800 offered by the Home Performance with Energy Star (HPwES) program when you get the recommended work done on your home by an approved contractor.

 

3rd - If you've been considering updating and/or improving your home and comfort we would suggest making GREEN choices on the work you do.  Fact: there are Energy Efficient Mortgages to help you finance the improvements to your home.  Fact: GREEN improvements add value to your home. Fact: There is increasing buyer demand for energy efficient homes.  Fact: Some of our clients have been able to secure solar panels at no cost!

 

Winter is on its way.  Why continue to shovel unnecessary money into the utility company?  Listen out for that call from Elysian Energy to get your QHEC done and take the steps necessary to put money back into your pocket.

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Site Last Updated On Wed, Oct 15, 2014 at 11:55:53 AM