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Maryland · #22 metro by population

Home energy audits in Baltimore

Where to get a home energy audit in the Baltimore area, what it costs, which rebates are open now and where Maryland stands on the federal Home Energy Rebates. Every program links to its official page and was checked on October 12, 2026.

Metro area: Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD Metropolitan Statistical Area.

A red blower-door panel with a large fan fitted into the front doorway of a brick bungalow, a pressure gauge on a stool inside
Start here Free Quick Home Energy Check-up
Rebates and incentives open now 4 of 5 1 not open yet or without a posted status
Federal Home Energy Rebates Not open yet What that means here

Baltimore at a glance

Climate zone 4A

IECC 2021 climate zone for Baltimore city, MD. PNNL ↗

What it means: Mixed-humid climate. You pay to heat and to cool, and muggy summers make basements and AC health matter.

Heating and cooling 4,484 HDD · 1,322 CDD

Heating and cooling degree days, base 65°F, 1991–2020 normals at BALTIMORE WASH INTL AP, MD US (USW00093721). NOAA ↗

What it means: Both seasons count here: real winters and humid summers, so fixes should help heating and cooling.

Homes 1947 median year built

47.5% of occupied homes are owner-occupied. Baltimore city, Maryland, 2020–2024 ACS 5-year. Census ↗

What it means: Most homes here are old enough that walls may be uninsulated and wiring, lead paint or vermiculite need checking before insulation work; an audit sorts out what to do first.

Radon EPA zone 2

moderate potential: predicted average 2–4 pCi/L (Baltimore city, MD). EPA says not to use the zone to decide whether to test: high levels turn up in all three zones, so test every home. Radon testing guide · EPA ↗

What energy costs here

State Electricity¢ per kWh · July 2026 Natural gas$ per therm · 2025 average Heating oil$ per gallon · week of Oct 5, 2026 Propane$ per gallon · week of Oct 5, 2026
Maryland 21.4¢ $1.56* $16.14 per thousand cu ft $6.11 $3.80

What this means for your bills: Electricity in Maryland costs more than the US average (21.4¢ against 18.3¢ per kWh), so every kWh an upgrade saves is worth more here, and it's worth checking a heat pump's running cost against gas before you switch.

  • Electricity: EIA’s average residential price, July 2026 (preliminary; released September 24, 2026). The U.S. average was 18.3¢ per kWh. EIA ↗
  • Natural gas: EIA’s 2025 average residential price per thousand cubic feet, which EIA says includes taxes and delivery, divided by 10.36 therms per thousand cubic feet (EIA’s 2025 average heat content of 1,036 Btu per cubic foot). A full-year average is used because summer months run far higher. EIA ↗ *Maryland: 2024 average; EIA published no 2025 average.
  • Heating oil and propane: EIA’s weekly residential prices, excluding taxes, for the week of October 5, 2026. EIA surveys them only in some states. EIA ↗

Mixed-humid Mid-Atlantic and St. Louis

What homes in Baltimore need

You pay to heat and to cool, and muggy summers make basements and AC health matter.

You pay to heat in winter and to cool and dry the air in muggy summers. Many homes are old, with basements that can get damp and lead paint to plan around. A good audit covers air sealing and attic insulation, basement moisture, safe venting of fuel-burning equipment and AC health.

In Baltimore: Half of Baltimore city's homes were built in 1947 or earlier, and nearly 1 in 5 Baltimore-area homes already heat with a heat pump. Baltimore County is radon Zone 1, higher than the city's Zone 2.

What drives bills and comfort here

  • Two real seasons: about 3,800 to 4,500 heating degree days and 1,300 to 1,700 cooling degree days a year.
  • Muggy summers: July dew points average 63–67°F, so your AC has to remove moisture as well as heat.
  • Old housing: in the core cities, the median home was built between 1938 (St. Louis) and 1958 (Washington, DC).
  • Power is pricey along the Northeast corridor, about 21 to 29 cents/kWh in August 2026, against 16 cents in Missouri.

Local risks to plan for

  • Heat waves: a serious health risk in homes without working AC.
  • Summer heat: about 34 days a year reach 90°F or more.
  • Hard freezes: 93 nights a year at or below 32°F; protect pipes in exterior walls.
  • Muggy summers: July dew points average about 66°F.

What to check first, and why

  1. Seal and insulate for both seasons

    Air sealing and attic insulation cut both heating and cooling bills. ENERGY STAR suggests an R-value of R60 for an uninsulated attic in this zone.

    Ask your auditor: Ask for a blower door test with infrared imaging, and a sealing plan for the attic and top-floor ceilings.

    Blower door testInfrared (thermal) scanAttic inspection

  2. Fix basement water, then seal and dehumidify

    Most houses here have basements. Fix water entry first, then seal rim joists and keep summer relative humidity below 60%.

    Ask your auditor: Ask the auditor to measure basement humidity and look for water staining before anything is insulated.

    Mold and humidity checkInfrared (thermal) scan

  3. Check boilers, furnaces and water heaters vent safely

    Open-flue boilers, furnaces and water heaters risk backdrafting once a house is tightened. EPA guidance includes CO testing and alarms.

    Ask your auditor: Ask for a combustion safety test before and after air sealing, including any oil or steam system.

    Combustion safety testCarbon monoxide check

  4. Plan for lead, asbestos and old wiring

    Most homes in these core cities were built before 1980. Paid work that disturbs paint in pre-1978 homes must follow EPA lead-safe rules, and vermiculite or knob-and-tube needs handling before insulation.

    Ask your auditor: Ask whether the work will disturb paint, and have suspect materials checked before the scope is final.

    Lead paint testAsbestos and vermiculite check

  5. Test for radon, especially in the suburbs

    DC, Philadelphia and New York City are radon Zone 3, but suburban counties such as Montgomery (MD), Fairfax (VA), Bucks and Baltimore County are Zone 1.

    Ask your auditor: Test before work and again after air sealing, even if your city's zone is low.

    Radon test

  6. Keep the AC healthy and the ducts tight

    AC breakdowns are the most common reason homes here get too hot. Typical duct systems lose 20–30% of their air through leaks, and an oversized AC leaves humidity high.

    Ask your auditor: Ask for a duct leakage test and a check of your AC's size against a Manual J load calculation.

    Duct leakage testManual J load calculation

Tests that matter most here

  • Blower door test Measures air leakage and guides sealing; pair it with infrared to find attic bypasses. Best timing: Winter is best. Hot afternoons with the AC running can also work.
  • Infrared (thermal) scan Finds missing insulation and hidden air leaks. Best timing: Winter, or a hot afternoon with the AC on. Scan from inside and skip walls that just had sun.
  • Combustion safety test Checks boilers, furnaces and water heaters for spillage and carbon monoxide in a tightened house. Best timing: Before and after air sealing.
  • Mold and humidity check A basement moisture check, with humidity readings and a look for water stains, shows whether it's safe to insulate. Aim for below 60% relative humidity. Best timing: Mid-summer, when dew points peak.
  • Radon test Suburban counties around DC, Baltimore and Philadelphia are Zone 1. Best timing: With the house closed up, before and after air sealing.

Upgrades that usually pay off here

  1. Air sealing plus attic insulation. It cuts both heating and cooling loads, and ENERGY STAR says sealing and insulating can save up to 10% on annual energy bills.
  2. Basement water fixes, rim sealing, dehumidification. Controls summer basement humidity and mold, and closes a common air leak at the rim joists.
  3. Duct sealing, or moving ducts inside. Where ducts run through an unconditioned attic, they can lose 10–45% of the heating and cooling energy they carry. Sealing, insulating or moving them inside cuts that loss.
  4. Heat pumps, ducted or ductless. These cities average 0–1 nights a year at or below 0°F, so a standard variable-speed heat pump can carry most hours. Ductless units suit radiator homes. A cold-climate heat pump adds margin for cold snaps.
  5. Heat pump water heater in the basement. It cools and dehumidifies the space around it, which helps in a muggy basement.

Heating and cooling equipment

  • Federal AC rules differ here: Baltimore and DC follow Southeast rules (14.3 SEER2 for most split ACs), while New York, Philadelphia and St. Louis follow North rules (13.4 SEER2).
  • Split heat pumps must meet at least 14.3 SEER2 and 7.5 HSPF2. ENERGY STAR models start at 15.2 SEER2 and 7.8 HSPF2.
  • A cold-climate heat pump is optional, since winters rarely reach 0°F. Still check capacity at 17°F and 5°F for the coldest days.
  • Size with Manual J. An oversized AC short-cycles and leaves your house cool but clammy.

Health and comfort

  • Wildfire smoke: in June 2023, New York City's fine-particle AQI topped 175, a record, and DC had some of its smokiest air in 25 years. Use MERV 13 filters and recirculate.
  • Heat waves are a serious health risk in these cities, especially in homes without working AC.
  • Keep basement relative humidity below 60% to limit mold; a dehumidifier helps in summer.
  • Older homes may hold lead paint and asbestos, and suburban homes may have high radon. Test before work starts.

Common mistakes in this climate

  • Plastic vapor barriers on above-grade walls. The code doesn't require interior vapor retarders in this zone, and low-perm layers can trap summer moisture driven inward.
  • Disturbing lead paint without lead-safe practices. Paid work that disturbs paint in pre-1978 homes must follow EPA's Renovation, Repair and Painting rule.
  • An oversized AC. It cools fast but shuts off before removing moisture, so rooms feel clammy.
  • Insulating a basement that still takes on water. Fix drainage and leaks first, or the insulation can trap moisture and grow mold.

When to book: Winter gives the clearest blower door and infrared results and good closed-house radon testing. Check basement humidity in mid-summer, and have AC problems fixed before heat waves.

Sources for this climate guide · checked October 26, 2026

Common problems in Baltimore homes

What each one usually means in this climate, the tests that confirm it and the fixes, cheapest first.

Utilities in the Baltimore area

Utility efficiency programs follow the company that delivers your power or gas, so check your bill before you book anything.

Electric

  • BGE (Baltimore Gas and Electric, an Exelon company) The Baltimore-area electric utility. MEA lists BGE among the investor-owned utilities that pay into EmPOWER. Check your bill or the utility’s website to confirm it serves your address. Source ↗

Natural gas

  • BGE (gas) Baltimore-area natural gas. BGE is a combined gas and electric utility, and MD DHCD lists BGE among the participating EmPOWER utilities. Check your bill or the utility’s website to confirm it serves your address. Source ↗

Maryland has electric and gas retail choice through the PSC's Electric Choice and Gas Choice supplier portals. BGE still delivers and runs the EmPOWER programs. EmPOWER's 2024–2026 cycle is PSC Case No. 9705, and BGE says it is 'awaiting a decision by the Maryland Public Service Commission about extending our energy efficiency programs into 2027'. Maryland HB 1532 (2025) 'removes EmPOWER incentives for natural gas' (MEA). psc.maryland.gov ↗ psc.maryland.gov ↗ energy.maryland.gov ↗

How to get a home energy audit in Baltimore

3 programs we track, open ones first. Prices are as each program publishes them. If you want a full diagnostic audit outside these programs, look for a certified auditor: how to find one and what audits cost.

Home Performance with ENERGY STAR home energy audit

BGE (EmPOWER Maryland), through Participating Contractors

Open Open. The 2027 continuation is pending at the MD PSC.
$100

Cost, as published $100 ('a $400 value'). A no-cost audit is available depending on income.

Official page ↗ · verified October 12, 2026

Who qualifies
BGE residential customers. Income-qualified customers can get a no-cost audit and heavily discounted improvements.
What you get
A comprehensive audit by a participating contractor, then rebates for improvements. BGE says rebates average $3,000, and up to $15,000 is available for HVAC or HPWH replacements paired with air sealing and insulation.
How to book
Select a Participating Contractor at bgesmartenergy.com. Energy Coaches can help.

EmPOWER Limited Income home energy audit (LIEEP)

Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development, through local agencies

Open Open ('Application status: Open'; income table updated 07/14/2026)
Free Income-qualified

Official page ↗ · verified October 12, 2026

Who qualifies
Households under the EmPOWER income limit ($106,800 for 4) who are customers of BGE, Delmarva, FirstEnergy, Pepco, SMECO or Washington Gas, or who are enrolled in OHEP bill assistance, SNAP, TANF, SSI or HUD housing assistance
What you get
After approval, a local agency schedules a free in-home energy audit and an approved contractor installs the recommended measures at no charge
How to book
Apply online or by mail, or call 1-855-583-8976

Quick Home Energy Check-up

BGE (EmPOWER Maryland), through BGE-authorized contractors

Open · limits apply Open until the 2026 cut-off: 'The last day to receive a Quick Home Energy Check-up for 2026 will be on November 30, 2026. Please request your appointment no later than November 6, 2026.' Continuation into 2027 awaits a PSC decision.
Free

Cost, as published No additional cost for BGE customers

Official page ↗ · verified October 12, 2026

Who qualifies
BGE residential customers, once every 5 years per address, or again after moving to a new address
What you get
An hour-long walk-through, no-cost energy-saving products (possibly a smart thermostat) and a personalized report
How to book
Request through bgesmartenergy.com or call 1-877-685-SESP (7377)

Rebates and incentives now

5 offers we track for the Baltimore metro; 4 are open as of October 12, 2026. Many require the program’s own contractor or an audit first, so read the terms before you buy.

Whole-home upgrades 1 open of 1

BGE Home Performance with ENERGY STAR rebates

BGE (EmPOWER Maryland)

Open Open. Continuation into 2027 is pending at the MD PSC.

Official page ↗ · verified October 12, 2026

Amount Rebates averaging $3,000 after an audit, and up to $15,000 for heating and cooling or HPWH replacements when paired with air sealing and insulation

Who qualifies BGE residential customers who complete a $100 Home Performance audit with a Participating Contractor. Income-qualified customers get deeper discounts.

Heat pumps 2 open of 2

BGE high-efficiency HVAC and heat pump rebates

BGE (EmPOWER Maryland), through Participating HVAC Contractors

Open Open for 2026 installs: equipment must be installed 'no later than December 31, 2026'. BGE is 'awaiting a decision by the Maryland Public Service Commission' on extending its programs into 2027. The page does not list dollar amounts, so ask a Participating Contractor.

Official page ↗ · verified October 19, 2026

Amount Not published

Who qualifies BGE customers installing qualifying air-source, cold-climate, ductless or geothermal heat pumps through a Participating Contractor, with extra incentives for switching from gas, oil or propane. Rebates are reflected in the contract price. BGE sets minimum ratings, for example 15.2 SEER2 and 7.5 HSPF2 for a Tier 1 split air-source heat pump, 15.2 SEER2 and 8.1 HSPF2 for a cold-climate one, and 18 SEER2 and 7.5 HSPF2 for a single-zone ductless one. 'All equipment must be AHRI rated.'

BGE heat pump water heater rebate and electrification home-prep incentive

BGE (EmPOWER Maryland)

Open · limits apply Open, but the instant-rebate channel ends October 31, 2026: 'The last day to use your coupon and receive an instant rebate on eligible heat pump water heaters will be October 31, 2026.'

Official page ↗ · verified October 12, 2026

Amount Up to $1,600 on select ENERGY STAR heat pump water heaters. When switching from natural gas, oil or propane, BGE also covers 75% of home preparation costs, up to $1,500.

Who qualifies BGE customers. One HPWH rebate per address for purchases after January 2, 2024. Available through the Product Advisor, a Participating Contractor, a mail-in or online application, or an instant rebate at Lowe's or The Home Depot.

Financing 1 open of 2

BeSMART Home Loan

Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development

Open

Official page ↗ · verified October 12, 2026

Amount 6.99% APR, $5,000 to $30,000, terms up to 10 years, unsecured. Up to 25% can go to health and safety work tied to the energy improvements.

Who qualifies Maryland homeowners with credit score ≥640 and debt-to-income ≤50%. Projects already purchased or completed are not eligible.

Maryland Clean Energy Advantage Loan and MEA geothermal grant (as referenced by BGE)

Maryland Clean Energy Center (loan) and Maryland Energy Administration (grant), as referenced by BGE

Unconfirmed MEA's FY27 General Notice of Upcoming Programs lists only the Residential Energy Equity and Residential Energy Equity Heat Pumps grants (paid to nonprofits and local governments, not homeowners) under residential, so the homeowner geothermal grant may no longer be offered.

Official page ↗ · verified October 12, 2026

Amount Per BGE: 0% interest financing for 24 months (Clean Energy Advantage Loan), and MEA grants 'up to $3,000 for installing new geothermal systems'

Who qualifies Maryland homeowners. Details are set by the lender and MEA.

Statewide rebate programs and federal options: rebates and programs.

Heat pumps in Baltimore → What a heat pump costs to run here for cooling and heating, each heat pump rebate with the equipment rule that decides which models qualify, and the certified systems and brands that suit the climate.

Federal Home Energy Rebates in Maryland

The two federal rebate programs, HOMES (whole-home efficiency) and the high-efficiency electric home rebates (HEAR, renamed HEEHR in 2026), are run by each state, so availability depends on the state. DOE rewrote the rules effective May 29, 2026 (Program Notice 26-2 ↗): no more federal rebates for switching from gas, oil or propane to electric equipment, and insulation and air sealing come before heating and cooling upgrades unless a home already meets a state-set level.

Status for the Baltimore metro
Not open yet Maryland hasn't launched either federal Home Energy Rebate program: HEEHR for electric appliances or HOMES for whole-home upgrades. Official page ↗ verified October 12, 2026

Program: IRA Home Energy Rebate Programs: HOMES (Homeowners Managing Energy Savings) and HEEHR (High-Efficiency Electric Home Rebate)

Run by: Maryland Energy Administration

No federal home energy rebates are available in Maryland yet. Under DOE Program Notice 26-2 (effective May 29, 2026), when Maryland does launch, HEEHR appliance rebates will exclude fuel switching and homes must do insulation and air sealing before heating and cooling upgrades. Separately, MEA's FY27 notice adds 'Residential Energy Equity Heat Pumps' funding for low- and moderate-income households, delivered through organizations rather than paid directly to residents.

StateHEAR / HEEHR (electric appliances)HOMES (whole-home efficiency)
Maryland Maryland rebate guide
Not open yet not launched (updated application submitted to DOE Sept. 30, 2026) Official page ↗ verified October 12, 2026
Not open yet not launched (updated application submitted to DOE Sept. 30, 2026) Official page ↗ verified October 12, 2026

How the programs work: Home Energy Rebates explained · every state’s status.

Help for lower-income households

Weatherization and Energy Efficiency (Baltimore City WAP), via the LIGHT program

Baltimore City Department of Housing & Community Development (the State-designated local weatherization agency for Baltimore City)

Free energy audit, heating and cooling safety testing and repair, attic insulation, air sealing, water-heater measures, LEDs, CO and smoke alarms, and replacement of inoperable or inefficient appliances with ENERGY STAR models. Owner- and tenant-occupied homes qualify. Household-of-4 limits depend on the funding source: DOE Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP) $92,470, EmPOWER $106,800, MEAP $66,000. Apply online or by pre-application to the LIGHT Intake & Assessment Unit, 417 E. Fayette St., Suite 1125, 410-396-3023.

Official page ↗ · verified October 12, 2026

LIGHT program (one-stop intake for home repair, energy and lead services)

Baltimore City DHCD

LIGHT Coordinators connect Baltimore City residents to free or low-cost home repair (roofs, heating, plumbing, electrical), energy-efficiency and lead-hazard programs. Partners include the Baltimore Office of Sustainability and Civic Works. Call 410-396-3023.

Official page ↗ · verified October 12, 2026

Maryland Weatherization Assistance Program: other local agencies serving the metro

MD DHCD through local weatherization agencies: Green & Healthy Homes Initiative (Baltimore City, Baltimore County, Anne Arundel, Harford, Howard; 410-534-6447), Building Change (statewide list incl. Baltimore City and County, Anne Arundel, Carroll, Harford, Howard, Queen Anne's; 410-231-3284), and Community Action Council of Howard County (410-313-6318)

Application status is Open. Limit is 60% SMI / 200% FPL ($92,470 for 4). SSI, TANF and MEAP recipients are automatically eligible. Priority goes to seniors, people with disabilities, families with children and high-burden households.

Official page ↗ · verified October 12, 2026

EmPOWER Maryland Limited Income Energy Efficiency Program (LIEEP)

MD DHCD (BGE refers its income-qualified customers here)

No-charge insulation, hot-water improvements, furnace cleaning and safety repairs, refrigerator replacement and limited health and safety repairs. Income limit is $106,800 for 4. Call 1-855-583-8976 or email dhcd.wholehome@maryland.gov.

Official page ↗ · verified October 12, 2026

Local energy rules

None of the 1 rule we found reaches ordinary homes.

Not for ordinary homes

Maryland Building Energy Performance Standards (BEPS)

Who it applies to Most buildings 35,000 sq ft and larger, with certain exclusions; about 9,000 buildings statewide. Does not affect ordinary homeowners.

Per BGE's summary of the Climate Solutions Now Act: benchmark and report to MDE (first by September 2025), comply with direct-GHG standards starting 2030, and reach net-zero building emissions by 2040. Verify current rules with MDE.

Official page ↗ · verified October 12, 2026

Notes worth knowing

  • Timing is critical.
  • BGE's 2026 EmPOWER offers are winding down pending a PSC decision on 2027: Quick Check-up requests are due by November 6, 2026 with the last visits November 30, 2026, and HPWH instant rebates end October 31, 2026.
  • HB 1532 (2025) removes EmPOWER natural-gas incentives.
  • Washington Gas states this ends its Maryland programs December 31, 2026; BGE's pages checked do not say when BGE gas-side incentives stop.
  • Maryland's federal IRA rebates are not launched (resubmitted 9/30/26).
  • Any Baltimore City-specific energy disclosure or benchmarking ordinance (none found); county programs in Anne Arundel, Baltimore County, Howard, Harford, Carroll and Queen Anne's; and whether utilities other than BGE serve parts of the MSA.
  • Confirm current amounts with the program before you buy.

Baltimore: common questions

How do I get a home energy audit in Baltimore?

Start with Quick Home Energy Check-up. Run by: BGE (EmPOWER Maryland), through BGE-authorized contractors. Cost: No additional cost for BGE customers. Who qualifies: BGE residential customers, once every 5 years per address, or again after moving to a new address. How to book: Request through bgesmartenergy.com or call 1-877-685-SESP (7377). We track 3 audit programs for the Baltimore metro, checked October 12, 2026; all of them are on this page.

Are the federal Home Energy Rebates available in Baltimore?

Maryland hasn't launched either federal Home Energy Rebate program: HEEHR for electric appliances or HOMES for whole-home upgrades. Checked October 12, 2026. Nationally, DOE rewrote the rules effective May 29, 2026: federal appliance rebates no longer pay for switching from gas, oil or propane to electric equipment, and homes must get insulation and air sealing before heating and cooling upgrades unless they already meet a state-set level.

Is there help for lower-income households in Baltimore?

Yes. Programs for income-qualified households in the Baltimore metro include Weatherization and Energy Efficiency (Baltimore City WAP), via the LIGHT program, LIGHT program (one-stop intake for home repair, energy and lead services), Maryland Weatherization Assistance Program: other local agencies serving the metro and EmPOWER Maryland Limited Income Energy Efficiency Program (LIEEP). Each one’s rules and contacts are listed on this page, with a link to its official page.

Which local energy rules affect homeowners in Baltimore?

None of the local energy rules we track applies to ordinary existing homes. One rule applies only to larger buildings.

Can I claim a federal tax credit for an energy audit in Baltimore?

Not for an audit done in 2026. The federal credit of up to $150 for a home energy audit was part of the Energy Efficient Home Improvement Credit (25C), and the IRS says it can’t be claimed for audits paid for or done after December 31, 2025. Public Law 119-21 ended 25C and the Residential Clean Energy Credit (25D) for 2026 work. An audit done in 2025 is claimed on the 2025 return (Form 5695).

Sources and checks

Every source below was opened and checked on October 12, 2026.

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