Can energy effiency also be a money saver for consumers? How Maryland is making it happen

Kristian Jaime, Salisbury Daily Times
·4 min read

For many looking to include energy efficiency in their homes, a loan program by the Maryland Clean Energy Center could mean a cheaper future for electricity in the state.

According to the organization, the center advances the adoption of clean energy, energy efficiency products, services and technologies. It also leverages private capital to help homeowners, businesses, and government entities reduce energy costs.

"Maryland has one of the most aggressive greenhouse gas reduction goals in the country, but the investment to achieve those goals is notable," said Kathy Magruder, the center's executive director. "We don't have the same focus of investments of other states, but we'll be striving to get there. There will never be enough public monies to do what needs to be done, so it's critical that we have to leverage both private and public sector (money) to do more."

The "green bank" aims at providing low interest loans for homeowners to afford greenhouse gas emission lowering technology on their property.

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What is the Clean Energy Advantage Loan Pilot Program?

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Under the center's Clean Energy Advantage Loan Pilot Program, Maryland residents are offered financing option for residential energy improvements.

This includes projects such as:

  • home energy efficient heating and air conditioning systems,

  • water heating systems,

  • windows and doors,

  • whole home insulation,

  • and weatherproofing

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Under the program, this financial assistance is available regardless of income level. The loan financing option offers 0% financing for 12 months, and reduced interest rates. The loans are also designed to be combined with existing utility rebates.

"The first thing you need to do is identify and approach a contractor that's qualified to work in the program and they're vetted by the utilities," Magruder said. "That gives consumers the peace of mind that they won't get taken advantage of by false promises. The coverage will help develop a strategy for a home energy audit to see where it's losing energy efficiency. Those are potentially dollars you're losing that are going to heating and cooling."

Companies like Baltimore Gas and Electric, Delmarva Power, PEPCO, Potomac Edison, SMECO and Washington Gas are all participants loan program.

The program operates in partnership with the Maryland Clean Energy Center and the Montgomery County Green Bank and authorized by the Maryland Public Service Commission to fund it.

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"Ideally, we want the public to be able to come to a website and get everything they need know about incentives, grants, loans for a variety of clean energy solutions. That includes everything from electric vehicles to community solar programs," Magruder said.

According to Magruder, she would like to see the loans expand to the often-high cost of solar panel hardware. The center is currently applying for Environmental Protection Agency Solar for All Grant for such programs for low-income households in Maryland.

The Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development also has the BeSMART Home Loan Program to provides financing to improve the energy efficiency.

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How are home builders backing energy efficiency?

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For custom homebuilders like Salisbury-based Messick Builders, staying ahead of the latest on energy efficiency technology is a full-time pursuit.

Planning a new home with a client starts with making sure the design looks at the latest in money-savings utilities and concepts.

"We do have multiple conversations with our clients concerning energy efficiency," said Debra Rossi of Messick Builders. "In terms of insulation, our homes pass inspections using the latest energy efficiency codes prior to completion. Given our experience, our research and adaptation to energy efficiency is directly related to our client base. For example, they've started to request plug-in access for electric vehicles and we're able to do that."

Rethinking infrastructure for the energy efficient homes of the future, Rossi noted, starts with understanding the recent changes to codes and building requirement. Even a critical look at a home's crawlspace is part of the process as well as more traditional concerns like foundation issues.

" We have a great deal of clients looking into smart appliances and Ring home camera systems. Since most things are more user-friendly, there isn't much infrastructure needed in terms of wiring to include those requests," Rossi said.

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This article originally appeared on Salisbury Daily Times: From electric cars to solar power, driving down cost of clean energy