Looking to move into a new house?
Renovate one you are moving into? Renovate your own?
The best way to do this is to
utilize government programs that are meant to benefit health, the environment, and
emissions, and to prevent danger and hazards. Here are three programs that can
deliver the desired result:
EmPOWER Maryland
Have you ever noticed all the
EmPower MD charges on your BGE bill? Now it is time to become a beneficiary of
what you are paying for instead of just funding others.
EmPOWER Maryland Limited Income
Energy Efficiency Program is a statewide program that provides free home
repairs and upgrades to reduce energy use, improve comfort, lower bills, and
enhance health/safety. This is one of Maryland’s most powerful hidden
home?improvement resources. I actually finally studied it properly as a result
of being pressured with a 45-minute deadline to write this article.
Eligibility: There are two paths to eligibility:
1) If you participate in any of
these programs, you are automatically income?eligible: SNAP, TANF, SSI, Medicaid.
2) Income?based eligibility
is based on the household income being below 250% of Federal Poverty Level. As
an example, the income for a household of eight must be below $137,550. For
other amounts, see https://dhcd.maryland.gov/Energy-Home-Repair/pages/homeowner-grants/empower.aspx.
EmPOWER focuses on energy
efficiency and safety. Here are some major repairs that many
homeowners don’t realize can be covered by EmPOWER:
- Insulation
- Hot
water system improvements
- Furnace
cleaning/tuning
- Lighting
retrofits
- Refrigerator
replacement
- Health
and safety items
WAP
The second home improvement program
that can make a big difference for eligible homeowners is the Weatherization
Program (WAP). I have written about it before, but it is worth highlighting
again. WAP focuses on weatherization and health, including:
- Insulation
- Air
sealing
- Ventilation
- HVAC
repair/replacement
- Combustion
safety
- Moisture
control
- Minor
electrical safety fixes
Here’s what WAP did in my own home:
They upgraded my insulation and put in a new whole house fan. The humidity is
so low now that the windows in the bathroom do not fog up regardless of how
long hot water has been running. They weather-stripped our doors. Our air
conditioner, which was in great shape and barely 10 years old, was replaced with
a brand-new air conditioner. We have also noticed a dip in our BGE bill,
however we do not really have enough data yet to confirm this.
Contractor quality varies widely.
There is a pool of many different contractors that can be selected to do this
WAP work. I have collected a list of over 10 contractors I have secured for my
customers and evaluated how their jobs went. There is one I particularly like,
and there is one I (in agreement with a neighbor) have blacklisted as useless.
I would like to stress that being
qualified for energy assistance is not the only way to qualify. The income
limit is very generous even if you do not qualify through Energy Assistance.
As with EmPOWER, there is
categorical eligibility, i.e., if you participate in any of these, you are automatically
eligible: SNAP, TANF, SSI, Medicaid, as well as if you have
Energy Assistance.
If you are not part of the above
programs, an example of the income limit is $122,064 for a household of four.
For other figures, see https://dhcd.maryland.gov/Energy-Home-Repair/pages/homeowner-grants/wap.aspx.
Process
For both EmPOWER and WAP, the process
is similar. First is eligibility determination. Next, an energy audit
is scheduled. The audit is conducted by a local agency and identifies the most
effective upgrades. After that, a contractor is assigned, and work is
completed at no cost to the homeowner. Finally, there is the post-work
evaluation, in which the agency returns to verify improvements and ensure
that the home is operating more efficiently.
Both programs are administered by
the DHCD and can be applied to through them. One of the services Elicit offers
is applying in a direct way that elicits an immediate response and elicits a
reputable contractor.
Baltimore City DHCD’s Lead Hazard
Reduction Program (LHRP)
The third program that is important
for health is child?focused. You qualify for LHRP if 1) a pregnant woman
lives in the home, 2) a child under age six lives in the home, and 3) a child
under six spends significant time in the home (three hours/day, two separate
days/week, 60 hours/year total).
LHRP removes all lead paint in the
house. In my house, the paint was most prominent on the windowsills and doors.
Therefore, LHRP is also best way to get new windows and doors.
Both homeowners and landlords can
apply for LHRP. Landlords must contribute financially, but homeowners may
receive grants or loans, depending on income.
For homeowners, the income limits
are the same as for EmPOWER, above. For renters, here are the numbers: The maximum
annual income allowed for a household of four is $65,150. For other figures,
see https://www.baltimorecity.gov/dhcd/resources-for-homeowners/lead-hazard-reduction.
Yehoshua
Sopher founded Elicit to guide individuals and families in
accessing benefits they are entitled to. You can reach him
at elicit.yehoshua@gmail.com or (410)205-9668.
