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Refer 5 Frederick County households to the Green Homes Challenge

Help spread the word by referring 5 of your friends, family members, co-workers, or neighbors to the Green Homes Challenge.

Click here to invite them to sign up for the Green Homes Challenge.

Perform an NO-COST Quick Home Energy Check-up from Potomac Edison

If you are not ready for a comprehensive home energy audit, a quick professional or do-it-yourself inspection can help to set you on the right path to making energy efficiency improvements for your home. Search online for “home energy audit DIY” to find tips and guidelines for how to effectively assess your home on your own.

Potomac Edison also offers a Quick Home Energy Checkup* at no charge. This assessment is less detailed than the Home Performance with ENERGY STAR® audit and will not qualify for the home improvement project rebates. A kit of energy saving devices is provided to participating households. Call 1.888.267.4685 to schedule an audit.

* Program details current at the time of publication and are subject to change.

Perform a low-cost Home Performance with ENERGY STAR® audit

A home energy audit (also called a home performance assesment) is often the best way to assess how your home uses energy and what can be done to improve efficiency. A professional audit is recommended because it will include diagnostic testing, such as a blower door test or thermal imaging, to help you effectively prioritize energy efficiency home improvement projects.

Home Performance Audit Options:

• Potomac Edison Energy Efficiency Program*: Potomac Edison offers reduced cost home performance assessments by certified home energy contractors. The value of the Home Performance with ENERGY STAR® audit is $500, but thanks to the EmPower Maryland program, residents are charged a $100 fee. Households with electric heating or cooling systems may be eligible for a 50% rebate, up to $2,000, for air sealing, duct sealing and insulation, or insulation and window costs, through the Home Performance with ENERGY STAR® audit. Call 1.888.267.4685 to schedule an audit.
• Select Your Own Auditor: You can use www.Leafkey.com, Maryland Home Performance with Energy Star®, or do a general search to find an auditor serving Frederick County. If you choose to preform your audit outside of Potomac Edison's Home Performance with Energy Star program you can expect to pay between $300 and $500 for the service. 

Click here to learn more about the audit process and how to prepare for your audit.

Please be sure to complete the Home Energy Audit Form to let us know how your audit was held.

* Program details current at the time of publication and are subject to change.

Prepare for your home energy audit

Preparing in advance can help you to get the most out of your time with a professional auditor or to make sure you have the tools you need on hand to conduct a do-it-yourself audit. Make a list of questions or problem areas for your auditor. Think about the areas in your home that often feel too hot or too cold. To learn what to expect and how to prepare for the audit, check out Energy Circle's audit overview.

Install a Mosaic Power System on your water heater to help regulate grid energy.

Mosaic Power's operating model focuses on "energy optimization." Throughout the day, operators of the electric grid send signals every two seconds indicating the load on the grid and whether there is excess power or heightened demand.

The system is designed to ensure that water heaters operate normally and consistently deliver hot water on demand. Consumers who install the Mosaic Power system, would not see any change in the energy bill for their water heater. They would, however, receive an annual check from Mosaic for about $50.

Keep unoccupied rooms closed with localized heating or cooling, open your doors if your system is centralized.

If you have localized heating or cooling,(such as baseboard heating or a window A/C unit), and a room that's not in use, make sure to close the door and the vents so that energy is not wasted to cool or heat the room.

However if you have a centralized HVAC unit, open your internal doors to maximize your units efficacy. A centralized system is designed to move air through your entire home. When a room is closed air becomes trapped and pressurized, the pressurized air will escape from your home in any way it can. This puts extra strain on your HVAC unit and waste energy.