EmPOWER Programs
EmPOWER is Maryland’s utility-customer funded program to support energy efficiency, conservation, greenhouse gas reductions, and demand response. (Demand response measures reduce energy demand during times of high usage.) EmPOWER is funded through the EmPOWER surcharge on your energy bill. EmPOWER is administered by the State’s largest utilities and the Department of Housing and Community Development (“DHCD”). The Maryland Public Service Commission oversees the EmPOWER program.
EmPOWER has saved Maryland utility customers billions of dollars since it began in 2008.
Maryland’s five largest electric utilities offer many programs, funded by EmPOWER, to save your home or business energy and money. Industrial programs are also available. Legislation that passed in 2024 has expanded this program to additional utilities, and they are in the process of developing programs.
Programs include appliance rebates, HVAC, Home Performance with Energy Star, Energy Star New Homes, combined heat and power programs, and other energy efficiency services and/or measures for homes, businesses and industrial facilities. Offerings are also available to eligible gas customers of BGE and Washington Gas.
EmPOWER can help you install an electric heat pump in your home, check the efficiency of your existing home heating equipment, weatherize your home, buy a more efficient refrigerator, and much more.
DHCD provides EmPOWER programs for limited-income residential customers free of charge. For more information on DHCD’s EmPOWER programs, click here.
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You may notice that the EmPOWER surcharge on your energy bills—which funds important energy efficiency and greenhouse gas reduction programs that can save you money—has recently increased. To learn more about the recently increased EmPOWER surcharge, click here.
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