This is big news: the Montgomery County Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) has just announced a new initiative based on helping reward customers who take steps to save energy in their homes. It’s called the Residential Energy Efficiency Rebate Program, and it’s huge. It’s sort of like the energy tax credit: you’ll get a rebate for any qualified energy efficient appliances you install in your home. There’s a catch though – funds are limited, so you’ve got to act fast!
The rebates are as follows:
Eligible Improvements |
Maximum Rebate |
|
Envelope |
Air Sealing |
20% of total cost, up to $1,000 |
Attic Insulation |
||
Wall, Crawlspace & Other Insulation |
||
Duct Sealing |
||
ENERGY STAR HVAC Equipment |
Central AC |
25% of cost up to $1,000 |
Heating Equipment |
25% of cost up to $1,000 |
|
Air Source Heat Pumps |
25% of cost up to $1,200 |
|
Geothermal Heat Pumps (up to 5.5 tons) |
25% of cost up to $2,000 |
|
ENERGY STAR Appliances |
Freezers |
$50 |
Refrigerators |
$50 |
|
Dishwashers |
$25 |
|
Clothes Washers |
$25 |
|
Other |
ENERGY STAR Solar Hot Water Heating |
25% of cost up to $1,000 |
ENERGY STAR Condensing Gas Water Heaters |
$150 |
|
ENERGY STAR Tankless & Heat Pump Water Heaters |
$200 |
|
Whole House Energy Use Monitoring Devices |
$50 |
Each homeowner is eligible for a rebate of up to $3,000, with a minimum rebate of $1,000. The program only has $1 million of funding available, so if you’re thinking about getting in on it, you’ve got to act NOW!!
In order to apply for the Montgomery County residential energy efficiency rebate program, you must first visit this website: www.mcenergyfunding.com. This site will also function as the DEP’s administration portal, where you can upload all the necessary information to receive payment. We (James A. Wheat & Sons) will provide you with all the necessary electronic documents to ensure an easy application process.
The first thing you’ll need to do is schedule an energy audit. If you live in a condo, you can provide a utility Quick Home Energy Check-up in the place of an audit. Note: the rebate program does not subsidize the cost of the audit. That said, you can use utility funds for the audit.
Navigate to the website above, create a username and password and upload the report from the energy audit. Once the documents have been reviewed, the County will acknowledge that you are ready to have the work done. You should not start work before the County has given you the notice to proceed. You can visit the website at any time to check on the status of your application.
Once you have the notice that you are OK to start your project, you’ll have 90 days to complete it. If absolutely necessary, you can file for an extension with the county. You’ll need to submit an invoice that specifies the equipment installed as well as all material costs and labor hours associated with the project. James A. Wheat & Sons will supply this invoice.
You will be required to upload all final invoices, a utility data release and a brief survey which you’ll complete at the end of your project. If the project involves air sealing and insulation, you’ll also need to file a certificate indicating that final air exchanges have been tested. Your payment should be processed in about five to six weeks.
There’s never been a better time than right now to install new energy efficient appliances in your home! If you need more information about the Montgomery County residential energy efficiency rebate program, or if you’re ready to get started, call James A. Wheat & Sons today!