Information for Contractors Participating in the Home Performance Rebate Program

Update: Nov. 3, 2011

The MEA Rebate Program is CLOSED to new applicants. Maryland homeowners have reserved all $2.68 million in available MEA funding!

If you have already mailed your MEA rebate application, you will be notified by email or letter within two weeks
regarding your application’s status.


To participate in the Home Performance Rebate Program, you must be a participating contractor listed on the Maryland Home Performance with ENERGY STAR website. For information on how to become a Maryland Home Performance contractor, please click here.

Materials for Contractors

FAQs for Contractors

What is the minimum Home Performance job eligible for a rebate?

There is a $1,000 minimum, including the cost of the energy audit. Please note: This limit may increase depending on rebate demand.

What types of homes are eligible for rebates?

Owner-occupied, single-family homes in Maryland; rebates do not apply to condos unless the condo has its own heating, water heater, and air conditioning system.

Who assumes the burden of proof of home ownership?

The homeowner proves home ownership.

Should homeowners wait to receive rebate approval to proceed with work?

It is up to the homeowners, as they are financing the Home Performance projects. Homeowners do not need to wait or stop work, if they do not get the rebate or if the rebate does not come in time.

How should work be broken out? Can we break out the work by area of the home rather than type of work?

You may not lump all of the work into one category if more than one type of work was completed (ie, air sealing and insulation must be broken out separately). We will be cross-checking the reservation form with the invoice submitted with the Completion Certificate, and if the two are not consistent then the customer will not receive their rebate. Please fill out all forms carefully.

What is the total cost of the energy audit?

The full cost of the comprehensive energy audit without utility or state incentives. E.g. If the audit costs $400, regardless of what the utility pays the contractor for energy audits, the rebate will still be $100 for the homeowner.

What if a homeowner had a comprehensive energy audit more than 6 months before submitting a rebate application?

To reserve their funds, customers with audits completed more than 6 months before submitting their rebate application will first need some kind of “walk-thru” refresher audit. This will look slightly different from contractor to contractor, but we essentially want to make sure that both the contractor and the customer understand what is going on in the home now, as opposed to when the audit was done. Contractors should give the homeowner a letter to submit along with their audit report verifying that the recommendations in the audit report are still valid. Please also note any changes in the home since the time of the audit report ("improvements already completed," etc). Failure to include this letter for a homeowner will result in delays to their reservation and may keep them from receiving rebate funds.

Can homeowners get energy improvement rebates on both primary and secondary homes?

Yes, Maryland homeowners can apply for rebates for both homes — as long as the second home is not rented at any time during the year.

Who is responsible for submitting rebate program paperwork to MEA?

The homeowner is responsible for submitting all of the paperwork. MDHP contractors are expected and encouraged to help homeowners through the process.

Do we need to submit a signed contract with original signatures?

The only documents we need with original signatures are:

All other forms (audit report, contract for the work, invoice, etc) may be copies.

Who can perform the energy audit and energy improvement work to qualify for MDHP rebates?

Contractors listed on MDHomePerformance.org.

I am an energy auditor listed on the MDHomePerformance.org website. Can my customers take advantage of the rebate program?

Yes, but you must also meet the following requirements:

  • You have an MHIC license or you use a subcontractor who does the work and has an MHIC license.
  • You or an approved Maryland Home Performance with ENERGY STAR contractor provides all the rebate program completion documents.

Where are the forms available?

The forms are available on MEA's website at the Home Performance Rebate Program page.

What forms must be submitted to reserve or receive the rebate?

See the Maryland Home Performance Rebate Checklist for details.

How quickly must the energy improvements be completed to receive the rebate?

Improvements must be completed 120 days from the time the reservation is approved.

Can energy improvements done prior to January 20th receive a rebate?

Energy improvements that were started after December 31, 2010 can receive a rebate if the rebate reservation is submitted and approved.

Can a homeowner get more rebate funds than originally reserved?

A homeowner must re-apply to get additional funds. The total rebate amount must not exceed $3,100. The second reservation submittal must be energy improvements that total a minimum of $1,000. The homeowner’s second reservation will go to the bottom of the reservation processing list. It will not be given preferential treatment by having gone through the process previously.

What other programs are available to help homeowners pay for the improvements?

Visit MCECloans.org for non-secured financing up to $20,000 at a 6.99% fixed rate available from MEA’s partner, the Maryland Clean Energy Center (MCEC).

What if I have additional questions not explained on MEA’s website or on this FAQs?

Contact the Maryland Home Performance team at mdhomeperformance@sra.com with the word "Rebates" included in the subject line.