When people think of home
improvement, they usually picture a new kitchen, bathroom, or flooring. But one
of the most impactful home improvements – especially in Maryland – is weatherization.
It lowers energy bills, makes homes more comfortable, and in many cases costs
the homeowner nothing at all.
I’ve helped many families apply for
weatherization over the past few years, and the feedback is almost always the
same: “I wish I had done this sooner.”
I usually apply for my clients for weatherization
as an add-on without even telling them, and this year I got calls out of the
blue thanking me very much for helping them with the weatherization – in some
cases including new furnaces – because now their house is in better shape.
What Is Weatherization?
Weatherization focuses on making
your home more energy efficient. The goal isn’t cosmetic; it’s comfort, safety,
and lower utility bills. Depending on the home, this can include:
·
Insulation (attic, walls, crawlspace)
·
Air sealing and draft reduction
·
Duct sealing
·
Ventilation improvements
·
Energy-efficiency upgrades related to heating and
cooling
DHCD vs. GHHI: What’s the
Difference?
This is where people often get
confused. DHCD, the Department of Housing and Community Development
oversees Maryland’s Weatherization Assistance Program. When most people apply
for energy assistance, DHCD is the agency that ultimately coordinates the
weatherization work through approved contractors.
GHHI, Green and Healthy Homes
Initiative, is a separate organization that focuses on health- and safety-based
home improvements, often alongside energy efficiency. In some cases, GHHI
projects go beyond standard weatherization and address issues like moisture,
mold, or indoor air quality. They are good for replacing windows.
Both programs can lead to excellent
results, but they operate differently and work with different contractors.
How Energy Assistance Connects to
Weatherization
Many homeowners don’t realize that
when you apply for OHEP/MEAP/energy assistance, you are often automatically
considered for weatherization. This is how many of my clients first get
connected to the program. In other words:
·
You apply for help with your energy bill.
·
Your application is reviewed.
·
If you qualify, you may be referred to DHCD for
weatherization services.
Contractors Matter – a Lot
This is the part most articles
don’t talk about: Weatherization work is done by contractors, and not all
contractors are the same. While most of my clients have been very happy with
the results, I’ve also seen situations where the workmanship or communication
was disappointing.
In one case, after an
unsatisfactory experience with a contractor, I bypassed the default assignment
and applied directly through another approved provider. The difference was like
night and day.
Applying Directly through a
Contractor Can Be Faster
Here’s something else many people
don’t know: In some cases, you can apply directly through a DHCD-approved
contractor rather than waiting for the referral process through MEAP. I
regularly help clients apply this way when it makes sense. This can:
·
Move the process along faster
·
Give you more control over who does the work
·
Reduce delays and follow-ups
My Personal Recommendation
After seeing the quality of work DeVere
Insulation did for one of my clients, I used DeVere Insulation in my own home.
The professionalism and results stood out immediately. The first contractor I
contacted said I am not eligible for home improvements. Yet DeVere is replacing
my AC (which I did not even ask for), upgrading my insulation, removing our whole
house fan, sealing all the cracks, and then some. Having the right contractor
can make all the difference between a frustrating experience and a genuinely
transformative one. That experience is why I now keep a curated list of:
·
DHCD-approved weatherization contractors
·
A GHHI contractor that I was told does good work
Final Thought
Weatherization isn’t flashy, but it
may be one of the smartest home improvements you can make. Lower bills, better
comfort, and long-term value all come from work you may never even see once
it’s done. If the process feels confusing, you’re not alone. Knowing how
to apply – and whom to work with – matters just as much as qualifying.
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.
