Maryland’s hospitality industry is the gateway to tourism, which helps support the continued success of local businesses and drives economic growth. Lodging that operates efficiently and on clean energy sources reduces the cost of renting a room, and enables tourists to explore and spend more on other activities - making Maryland a more inviting destination while also outshining competition.
The Maryland Clean Buildings Hub (the Hub), an initiative of the Maryland Energy Administration, aims to empower Maryland’s building owners to make well-informed energy investments in their properties by connecting them to financial, educational, and technical assistance. Sign-up for the Hub newsletter here. Have questions? Contact [email protected].
Maryland’s hospitality and lodging building owners and operators can tap into a range of state, federal, utility, and local incentives to help defray the costs of energy efficiency, electrification, or onsite renewable energy measures to existing or new buildings. The
Maryland Clean Buildings Hub is committed to help building owners and operators understand the range of incentives for which they may qualify.
State:
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Commercial & Industrial Grant Program: This program provides eligible commercial buildings funding for cost-effective energy efficiency and conservation upgrades for existing, major renovation, and new construction projects that are above minimum code and performance standards and claim at least 20% energy savings.
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Electrifying Community Buildings Grant Program: This program provides funding for eligible commercial buildings (such as private K-12 and charter schools) seeking to replace existing fossil fuel-powered equipment with efficient electric alternatives.
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Mechanical Insulation Grant Program: This program provides grants for installing mechanical insulation in industrial and commercial facilities to reduce energy waste, thereby enabling energy-saving improvements to large-scale thermal distribution networks.
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Open Energy Grant Program: This program provides grants for clean energy projects that do not fit the criteria of MEA's other grant programs.
Local:
Federal:
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Department of Energy Loan Programs Office: The U.S. Department of Energy's Loan Programs Office (LPO) is committed to financing American energy and manufacturing projects that meaningfully contribute to U.S. energy security, grid reliability, and lowering costs for all Americans.
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Sec. 179D Energy Efficient Buildings Tax Deduction: Provides federal tax deductions for placing in service (installing) eligible energy-efficient property in commercial buildings. 179D shall not apply to property the construction of which begins after June 30, 2026.
Looking for technical assistance for your healthcare or hospital building upgrades?
The Hub offers guidance and support to help Marylanders take the next step toward cleaner, more efficient energy solutions.
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Montgomery County Green Bank Technical Assistance Program: Supports studies for commercial sector owners to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, including ASHRAE Level I, Level II, Level III/ Investment Grade audits and/or targeted analyses into benchmarking, energy efficiency, renewable energy (e.g., solar PV), electrification, EV charging infrastructure, and resiliency measures. Eligible property types include but are not limited to office, industrial, retail, hospitality, common ownership communities, multifamily rental (market rate and affordable), and nonprofit-owned properties such as faith-based and educational institutions.
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Montgomery County Benchmarking Ambassadors: A curated list of stakeholders, volunteers, and energy service companies who have received an orientation to the County’s Benchmarking Law on how to properly benchmark in Portfolio Manager. Please note that inclusion in this list does not confer certification, an official endorsement, or approval from the Montgomery County Government or any of its agencies.
The Hub invites you to explore the materials below to help guide your next steps. Use these resources to help move your building decarbonization project forward with greater confidence.
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Energy Audits: Conducting an energy audit is a recommended first step in a building’s electrification and decarbonization journey.
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Space Heating Electrification Guide for Large Commercial Buildings with Boilers: Most large buildings and many multifamily residences use natural gas or steam boilers to produce hot water to meet space heating demand and tenant comfort requirements. This guidance document focuses mainly on electrification strategies for fossil fuel boilers for existing buildings, which have greater challenges than new-construction applications.
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Better Buildings Initiative - Hospitality: The Department of Energy's Better Buildings Initiative helps hospitality businesses identify energy efficiency and clean energy solutions by barrier, building type, technology, and more.
