There are seemingly hundreds of rebate programs available to reward efforts in energy efficiency. Simply purchasing an ENERGY STAR ® product can result in money back. These programs are a result of the EmPOWER Maryland initiative, which has a goal of reducing the state’s power consumption by 15 percent by 2015.
For heating and cooling, the money-back potential is huge if your equipment is running at peak efficiency. If your air conditioner or heat pump is more than 10 years old, you might be able to cut your energy bill by up to 30 percent if you replace your HVAC system with a newer, more efficient model. Those newer models then qualify for rebates, based on a tiered rebate system. Again, ENERGY STAR models are more efficient, with a higher seasonal energy efficiency ratio, otherwise known as SEER. Purchasing these models result in greater savings in energy bills. Selected heat pumps and natural gas furnaces also qualify for the BGE energy saving programs, and they are more efficient in your home than both standard models and 20-year old models you may already have in your home.
Getting your rebate is easy – in fact, all you have to do is choose an approved heating and air conditioning contractor who is participating in the BGE Smart Energy program, determine your eligibility for the rebate and have the contractor submit the rebate application after the equipment is installed. Ask your HVAC contractor what equipment would be best for your needs. He’ll take into account the size of your home, your needs and the potential for energy savings. Then, sit back and enjoy your new system and the “found” money. Visit www.BGEsmartenergy.com for more information on programs and rebates.
