Maryland: DHCD - Be SMART Home Efficiency Loan Program

Coverage Area

Loans of up to $15,000 for energy efficiency renovations

Learn more about this energy rebate or find a contractor who knows about this rebate and will help you get started.


EnergySavvy does not administer rebate programs. If you have any questions about this incentive, please click on the More Information link to view the rebate program website or contact the rebate program directly.
Note: The eligible technologies listed above are only examples of some improvements that might be supported under this program as detailed on the program web site. Other improvements may be eligible and not all potentially eligible improvements will be appropriate for all participants.

Under the Be SMART Homes program, the Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development offers loans to homeowners that wish to undertake energy efficiency retrofit projects in a primary residence. In the past the program was only available to residents of certain communities, but no such restriction is currently listed on the program web site or application materials. The program offers unsecured loans of up to $15,000 with terms of 3, 5, or 10 years. Interest rates are determined by the program track that individual homeowners take, set at either 6.99% (Be SMART Home Energy Star) or 4.99% (Be SMART Home Complete).

The Be SMART Home Energy Star track supports appropriate heating and cooling and Energy Star appliance improvements in resident homes. The Be SMART Home Complete track supports building envelope improvements such as increased insulation, or other improvements such as lighting retrofits, based on the results of home energy audit. Free home energy audits are available for a limited time as an additional incentive to homeowners. Participants must work with a program-approved weatherization contractor under either track. In addition, in order to qualify for a loan, residents must have a credit score of at least 640, a debt-to-income ratio of 50% or less, and have their income level verified.

Separate energy efficiency loan programs exist under the Be SMART initiative for energy efficiency in multi-family buildings and business properties. Please see the program web site for additional details.

This program is part of the U.S. Department of Energy's (DOE) BetterBuildings Program. The DOE has awarded over $500 million in federal funds to more than 40 states, local governments, and organizations to administer local programs targeting a variety of building types. Combined, these local programs are expected to improve the efficiency of more than 170,000 buildings through 2013 and save up to $65 million in energy costs annually. More Information: Maryland Website
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