Pepco offers energy audits for residential customers in Maryland to help them improve their home’s energy efficiency and comfort. These energy audits aim to identify areas of energy consumption and provide tailored recommendations and solutions to homeowners for reducing energy usage while maintaining a comfortable living environment.

One popular program Pepco offers is the Home Energy Check-up, which assesses a home’s current energy consumption and provides a customized report with recommendations. In addition, Pepco’s Home Performance with ENERGY STAR program assists homeowners in achieving optimal energy efficiency and comfort through upgrades that can lower energy costs by up to 20%.

By participating in a Pepco energy audit, Maryland residents can gain valuable insights into their home’s energy use, ultimately leading to cost savings and improved comfort. These audits contribute to individual household savings and support environmental sustainability through reduced energy consumption.

Understanding Pepco Energy Audits

Significance of Energy Audits

Energy audits are essential for homeowners to determine the energy efficiency of their homes and identify areas where improvements can be made. A Pepco Energy Audit, part of the Home Performance with ENERGY STAR program, is designed to help homeowners in the Pepco service area reduce energy consumption and lower their utility bills. The audit is supported by the Empower Maryland Programs. It focuses on enhancing the home’s overall performance, ensuring it meets the Building Performance Institute standards.

Process of Home Energy Audits

During a Pepco Energy Audit, homeowners receive a comprehensive assessment of their home’s energy usage patterns and the efficiency of its systems. This process thoroughly examines the building envelope, insulation, HVAC systems, and lighting, among other factors. Energy auditors, certified by the Building Performance Institute, use specialized tools and equipment to identify potential air leaks and insulation deficiencies, allowing for targeted improvements in energy efficiency.

The audit process also involves data collection, helping to determine the most appropriate energy-saving upgrades based on the home’s current performance. Once the audit is completed, an energy-efficient upgrade plan is provided to the homeowner, along with information on available rebates and details on the estimated energy savings that can be achieved by implementing the recommended measures.

Role of Energy Auditors

Energy auditors are experts in assessing homes for energy efficiency and suggesting optimal improvement measures. During a Pepco Energy Audit, they conduct tests, gather data, and make recommendations based on the home’s specific energy usage patterns. This involves examining the building’s overall structure, systems, and equipment and using specialized tools to identify potential energy leaks.

Once the home energy audit is complete, energy auditors provide the homeowner with a detailed report, which includes recommendations for energy-efficient upgrades and information on available rebates. By following these suggestions and making the recommended upgrades, homeowners can expect to improve their home’s energy performance, reduce energy costs, and contribute to a more sustainable environment.

Incentives and Rebates

Pepco offers a variety of incentives, services, and rebates to help customers save on energy costs and enhance the efficiency of their homes. These include the EmPOWER program’s benefits, tax credits, and savings opportunities.

EmPOWER Program Benefits

The Income Eligible Energy Efficiency Program is part of Maryland’s EmPOWER initiative, designed to assist low-income households in making home repairs and upgrades that reduce energy use and lower monthly bills. The Home Performance with ENERGY STAR program offers rebates and financial assistance. This program provides valuable rebates, determined based on the estimated electric savings of eligible measures, with some rebate amounts reaching up to $7,500 for qualifying endeavors.

In addition to reducing energy consumption, customers receive a comprehensive Home Energy Assessment from a trained professional contractor for a discounted price of $100 (usually $400). This audit includes installing energy savings measures at no extra cost to customers and detailed information on potential improvements for further energy efficiency.

Tax Credits and Savings

Pepco customers who qualify for the Home Performance with ENERGY STAR program can also use federal tax credits. Air sealing and insulation work completed through the program allows for a tax credit worth 30% of the project cost, with a maximum credit of $1,200. In addition to the rebates available through the program, these credits can significantly lower overall energy costs and help customers save money in the long run.

By combining various incentives, rebates, and tax credits, Pepco customers can substantially enhance their homes’ energy efficiency while experiencing significant financial savings.

Performance Improvement Strategies

Energy Performance Improvement Strategies

Sealing and Insulation

Proper sealing and insulation are the most effective ways to improve a home’s energy efficiency. Air sealing can significantly reduce drafts and cold spots while lowering energy bills. Insulation helps to maintain a comfortable temperature inside the house by reducing heat transfer between the interior and exterior. Pepco offers Home Performance with ENERGY STAR, a program designed to help homeowners identify and address sealing, heating, and insulation issues, ultimately leading to more comfortable living spaces and up to 20% reduction in energy costs.

HVAC Optimization

Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning (HVAC) systems are among the most significant household energy consumers. Optimizing your HVAC system is crucial for reducing energy use, cooling, and lowering bills. Pepco’s Full Building Tune-Up Program assists homeowners and businesses in identifying and implementing low-cost energy efficiency measures, focusing on building controls and HVAC systems, and offers technical and financial support.

  • Key HVAC optimization strategies include:
    • Regular maintenance
    • Duct sealing
    • Installing energy-efficient equipment
    • Using smart thermostats to better regulate temperature and energy consumption

Efficient Lighting and Appliances

Switching to energy-efficient lighting and appliances contributes to a substantial decrease in energy use. Replacing incandescent bulbs with more efficient alternatives, such as compact fluorescent lights (CFLs) or light-emitting diodes (LEDs), can notably impact energy consumption and costs. Upgrading to energy-saving products and ENERGY STAR-certified appliances also plays a significant role in reducing energy usage.

Homeowners can considerably reduce energy consumption by implementing sealing and insulation improvements, optimizing HVAC systems, and selecting energy-efficient lighting and appliances, resulting in cost savings and a more comfortable living environment.

Homeowner’s Guide to Audit Preparation

Homeowner's Preparation Checklist for Home Energy Audit

Checklist Before the Audit

Preparing for a Pepco energy audit helps ensure the process goes smoothly and effectively. Here are some steps homeowners should take before the audit:

  1. Locate and have ready your recent energy bills to give the Pepco energy auditor an idea of your average consumption.
  2. Ensure easy access to all areas of your home, especially the attic, basement, and crawl spaces.
  3. Make a list of any existing problems you have noticed, such as drafts or condensation.
  4. Find the thermostat and make sure it is functioning correctly.
  5. If you have any pets, make arrangements in advance to confine them during the audit process.

What to Expect During an Audit

During the Pepco energy audit, a trained technician will carefully inspect your home and its systems. Here’s what you can expect:

  • Interview: The auditor will discuss your energy usage habits and any concerns you might have. They’ll also review your energy bills to identify trends and potential problem areas.
  • Visual Inspection: The auditor will perform a comprehensive home walk-through, examining the building envelope, insulation levels, windows, doors, and major appliances.
  • Blower Door Test: This test helps identify air leaks in your home. The auditor will install a temporary door with a large fan and create a pressure difference between the inside and outside. By doing so, they can measure the air leakage in your home.
  • Thermal Imaging: Using a thermal imaging camera, the auditor can detect any areas of missing insulation, thermal bridging, or air leaks.

After the audit, the data is entered into a modeling software that calculates eligible rebates and potential energy savings for the homeowner. By following the listed recommendations and working with a participating contractor, homeowners can improve their home’s energy efficiency and reduce their overall energy consumption.

Post-Audit Measures and Best Practices

Post energy audit recommendations

Implementing Audit Recommendations

After a Pepco Home Energy Audit, homeowners receive a customized report with data-driven insights on energy-saving measures to enhance their home’s efficiency. These recommendations target insulation, lighting, appliances, and HVAC system improvements. Prioritizing the changes based on cost, potential energy savings, and comfort level improvements is essential.

Implementing the suggested improvements should begin with the most impactful, cost-effective measures. For example:

  • Sealing air leaks to reduce drafts and improve indoor air quality.
  • Adding insulation to walls, attics, and crawlspaces.
  • Upgrading to energy-efficient lighting, such as LED or CFL bulbs.
  • Installing a programmable thermostat for better temperature control.
  • Replacing outdated appliances with ENERGY STAR® certified models.

Maintaining Energy Efficiency

Once the recommended energy-saving measures have been implemented, homeowners must continuously maintain their home’s energy efficiency to ensure performance and long-term cost savings. Some best practices for conservation and energy-saving improvements include:

  1. Periodically check and change air filters in the HVAC system to maintain optimal efficiency.
  2. Sealing windows and doors with weather-stripping and caulking minimizes drafts and heat loss.
  3. Installing energy-efficient window treatments to reduce heat gain in the summer and heat loss in the winter.
  4. Using energy-saving settings on appliances, such as “eco mode” or “energy-saver.”
  5. Scheduling annual professional maintenance for your HVAC system, such as cleaning and inspecting the components to ensure optimal performance.

Following the Pepco Home Energy Audit and implementing the report’s recommendations, homeowners can enjoy a more comfortable, energy-efficient home. By adopting these post-audit measures and best practices, they can maximize energy conservation in the long run and contribute positively to the environment.