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Get your free plan → Six short steps for a home in the Washington, DC area: what to fix first, the tests to ask for and the programs open to you. No email.
District of Columbia · Virginia · Maryland · West Virginia · #7 metro by population
Where to get a home energy audit in the Washington, DC area, what it costs, which rebates are open now and where District of Columbia, Virginia, Maryland and West Virginia stand on the federal Home Energy Rebates. Every program links to its official page and was checked on October 12, 2026.
Metro area: Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV Metropolitan Statistical Area.
IECC 2021 climate zone for District of Columbia, DC. 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 degree days, base 65°F, 1991–2020 normals at WASHINGTON REAGAN AP, VA US (USW00013743). NOAA ↗
What it means: Both seasons count here: real winters and humid summers, so fixes should help heating and cooling.
41.5% of occupied homes are owner-occupied. Washington city, District of Columbia, 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.
low potential: predicted average below 2 pCi/L (District of Columbia, DC). 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 ↗
| 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| District of Columbia | 25.2¢ | $1.61 $16.68 per thousand cu ft | Not reported | Not reported |
| Virginia | 17.6¢ | $1.62 $16.79 per thousand cu ft | $5.95 | $3.68 |
| Maryland | 21.4¢ | $1.56* $16.14 per thousand cu ft | $6.11 | $3.80 |
| West Virginia | 15.8¢ | $1.33 $13.80 per thousand cu ft | Not reported | Not reported |
What this means for your bills: Electricity in District of Columbia costs more than the US average (25.2¢ 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.
Mixed-humid Mid-Atlantic and St. Louis
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 Washington, DC: DC homes split almost evenly between gas and electric heat, and new central ACs here follow the Southeast standard of 14.3 SEER2 for most split systems. DC is radon Zone 3, but Montgomery County, MD, and Fairfax County, VA, are Zone 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
What each one usually means in this climate, the tests that confirm it and the fixes, cheapest first.
Utility efficiency programs follow the company that delivers your power or gas, so check your bill before you book anything.
DC and Maryland have retail choice. The DC PSC runs 'Choose an Energy Supplier', and the MD PSC runs Electric Choice and Gas Choice supplier portals. Virginia retail choice isn’t covered in this guide. In DC, efficiency programs are run by the DC Sustainable Energy Utility (DCSEU) under contract with DOEE, not by Pepco. In Maryland, they run through utilities under EmPOWER Maryland. dcpsc.org ↗ psc.maryland.gov ↗ doee.dc.gov ↗
5 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.
Electrify DC, promoted by DC DOEE
Pepco (EmPOWER Maryland)
Dominion Energy Virginia, through participating contractors
Washington Gas
Pepco (EmPOWER Maryland), through Participating Contractors
Cost, as published $100 ('a $400 value') for homes up to 3,000 sq ft with a single combustion appliance zone; larger or multi-zone homes may cost more. No cost for qualifying moderate-income customers.
7 offers we track for the Washington, DC metro; 7 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.
Pepco (EmPOWER Maryland)
Amount Up to $10,000 for eligible upgrades, and up to $15,000 for eligible electrification upgrades. A 'New Limited Time Offer' gives larger rebates when the project converts fossil-fueled water heating and/or HVAC to electric.
Who qualifies Pepco Maryland single-family residential customers who complete the assessment
DC Sustainable Energy Utility (locally funded, not the federal DOE rebates)
Amount Shown as electric-to-electric / gas-to-electric. Ducted ASHP or ductless mini-split, ENERGY STAR: $1,000 / $4,000. ENERGY STAR Most Efficient: $1,500 / $5,000. HPWH, NEEA Tier 1–2: $750 / $1,200; Tier 3–4: $1,000 / $1,600. Heat pump dryer $400 / $600. Electric range $400 / $600. Induction range $600 / $800. Heavy-up to 200 A: $2,000. Circuit upgrade or addition: $400 per circuit (up to 3). The page headline is 'up to $5,000 off'.
Who qualifies 'All DC residents, regardless of income', in homes of 4 units or fewer (including individual condo and co-op units). Heavy-up and circuit rebates apply only when replacing gas or oil equipment. Limit one product type per utility account per fiscal year. A DOB permit is required for HVAC and HPWH. Apply within 30 days of installation through the Online Rebate Center.
Washington Gas
Amount Up to $2,000 on select ENERGY STAR boilers and furnaces; up to $400 on water heaters; up to $2.50/sq ft on eligible windows and sun shades; $100 smart thermostat; $100 heating tune-up; $50 gas fireplace tune-up
Who qualifies Washington Gas Virginia residential customers
Dominion Energy Virginia
Amount Up to $500 on eligible heat pump water heaters (and up to $300 on variable-speed pool pumps). Instant rebates on smart thermostats and Marketplace products.
Who qualifies Dominion Energy Virginia residential customers
Washington Gas
Amount Up to $900 on select ENERGY STAR boilers and furnaces; up to $450 on water heaters; $100 heating tune-up; up to $100 on ENERGY STAR dryers; free conservation kit
Who qualifies Washington Gas Maryland residential customers
DCSEU under contract with DC DOEE, using federal DOE Home Energy Rebates funds
Amount No cost. Covers a ducted or ductless heat pump, heat pump water heater, induction stove, heat pump dryer and thermostat, replacing gas furnaces, boilers, water heaters, dryers and stoves. Gas lines are capped. Households that fully electrify are prioritized.
Who qualifies District homeowners or tenants in homes of 4 units or fewer, plus income-qualified owners of condo and co-op units. Eligibility is by participation in SNAP, TANF, SSI, Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP), Solar for All or Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP), or by income up to $132,900 for a household of 4 ($93,050 for 1). DOEE approves every project, and projects can be cancelled before installation.
Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development
Amount 6.99% APR, $5,000 to $30,000, terms up to 10 years, unsecured. Up to 25% can go to related health and safety work.
Who qualifies Maryland homeowners with credit score ≥640 and debt-to-income ≤50%. No financing for work already purchased or completed.
Statewide rebate programs and federal options: rebates and programs.
Heat pumps in Washington, DC → 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.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.
Program: DC: Affordable Home Electrification Program (AHEP) and Affordable Housing Retrofit Accelerator (AHRA). MD: IRA Home Energy Rebate Programs (HOMES and HEEHR). VA: Home Efficiency Rebates and High Efficiency Appliance Rebates.
Run by: DC: Department of Energy and Environment (DOEE), delivered by DCSEU. MD: Maryland Energy Administration. VA: Virginia Department of Energy.
DC is also implementing the local Healthy Homes and Residential Electrification Amendment Act of 2024, which directs DOEE to provide no-cost electrification retrofits to low-income households and qualifying multifamily buildings, built on its federal rebate applications. Virginia's allocation is $188,334,635 ($94,347,205 Home Efficiency; $93,987,430 High Efficiency Appliance). Its FAQ notes that under federal law the appliance rebates 'cannot be used to help pay for replacement of a non-electric appliance'. That reflects DOE Program Notice 26-2 (effective May 29, 2026), which ended fuel-switching rebates and requires insulation and air sealing first, with three months for launched programs like DC's to conform.
| State | HEAR / HEEHR (electric appliances) | HOMES (whole-home efficiency) |
|---|---|---|
| District of Columbia District of Columbia rebate guide | Open · limits apply open within existing programs (no stand-alone federal rebate; only through DCSEU's Affordable Home Electrification Program and Affordable Housing Retrofit Accelerator) | Open open within existing programs (AHRA/AHEP), per DOEE |
| Virginia Virginia rebate guide | Not open yet not launched (application being updated for DOE's May 29, 2026 Program Notices) | Not open yet not launched |
| Maryland Maryland rebate guide | Not open yet not launched (updated application submitted to DOE Sept. 30, 2026) | Not open yet not launched (updated application submitted to DOE Sept. 30, 2026) |
| West Virginia West Virginia rebate guide | Waitlist pilot phase with select households; waitlist registration open; statewide launch pending | Waitlist pilot phase with select households; waitlist registration open; statewide launch pending |
How the programs work: Home Energy Rebates explained · every state’s status.
DC Department of Energy and Environment (DOEE), with nonprofits and contractors
Free energy audit and audit-recommended efficiency and water measures. For households below 60% of State Median Income (FY26: $118,926 for 4) or with a TANF or SSI recipient. DOEE says: 'Our Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP) and LRP program openings are delayed this fiscal year due to unexpected external circumstances', and it will contact waitlisted applicants. The Emergency Mechanical Systems (EMS) replacement program is open and contacting its waitlist first-come, first-served. Questions: 202-299-3316.
DC Sustainable Energy Utility
Income-qualifying DC residents can get select DCSEU services free or at reduced cost. AHEP provides no-cost heat pumps and electric appliances for households up to $132,900 (4 people). Call (202) 479-2222.
Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development
No-charge insulation, hot-water improvements, lighting, furnace tune and safety repairs, and limited health and safety work. For customers of BGE, Delmarva, FirstEnergy, Pepco, SMECO or Washington Gas. Income limit is $106,800 for a household of 4 (updated 07/14/2026). Application status is Open. Call 1-855-583-8976.
MD DHCD through local weatherization agencies. For Prince George's and Montgomery: Housing Initiative Partnership (Hyattsville, 301-699-3870) and Building Change (Beltsville, 410-231-3284).
Application status is Open. Income limit is 60% SMI / 200% FPL ($92,470 for a household of 4). SSI, TANF or MEAP recipients are automatically eligible.
Dominion Energy Virginia, delivered by local weatherization providers that work with Virginia DHCD
No-cost in-home assessment and installed measures. The FAQ lists LEDs, showerheads, aerators and pipe wrap, and weatherization such as attic insulation and duct sealing where eligible. For households ≤80% of local median income or ≤60% of state median income, whichever is greater, or age 60+ at ≤120% of state median income. Call 888-366-8280, option 2.
None of the 4 rules we found reach ordinary homes.
Who it applies to 'All buildings >10,000 ft²'. Single-family homes are not covered.
Annual energy and water reporting through ENERGY STAR Portfolio Manager by May 1. The next third-party verification is due in 2027 (2026 data), then every six years. First-time reporters in 2026 are buildings newly covered at the 10,000 ft² threshold.
Who it applies to Period 1: private buildings ≥50,000 ft². Period 2: ≥25,000 ft². Period 3: ≥10,000 ft². DC-owned buildings ≥10,000 ft² in all periods. Does not affect ordinary homeowners.
Created by the Clean Energy DC Omnibus Act of 2018. Buildings below the standard enter a compliance cycle with performance or prescriptive pathways.
Who it applies to Most commercial and multifamily buildings of 25,000 gross sq ft or more. Not homeowners.
Benchmark annually by June 1, with verification every 3 years. Site-EUI performance standards have interim and final evaluation years by group, for example 2028/2033 for non-residential 50k–250k sq ft and 2031/2036 for multifamily 25k–250k sq ft.
Who it applies to Most buildings 35,000 sq ft and larger (with exclusions). Not homeowners.
Per BGE's summary: benchmarking to MDE by September 2025, direct GHG compliance from 2030, net-zero building emissions by 2040, about 9,000 buildings covered.
Start with Online Home Energy Profile (DC, MD, VA gas customers). Run by: Washington Gas. It’s an online tool, not a home visit. Cost: Free. Who qualifies: Washington Gas residential customers. How to book: Online via Washington Gas. We track 5 audit programs for the Washington, DC metro, checked October 12, 2026; all of them are on this page.
In the District of Columbia, HEEHR rebates for electric appliances are open with limits, and HOMES rebates for whole-home upgrades are open. 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.
Yes. Programs for income-qualified households in the Washington, DC metro include Weatherization Assistance Program (DC), DCSEU Zero-Cost Upgrades and Affordable Home Electrification, EmPOWER Maryland Limited Income Energy Efficiency Program (LIEEP), Maryland Weatherization Assistance Program (Montgomery and Prince George's) and Income and Age Qualifying Energy Savings Program (Virginia). Each one’s rules and contacts are listed on this page, with a link to its official page.
None of the local energy rules we track applies to ordinary existing homes. 4 rules apply only to larger buildings.
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).
Every source below was opened and checked on October 12, 2026.
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