Explore the Benefits of a Tight Home
When it comes to completing energy efficiency projects, many homeowners focus on insulation or HVAC upgrades without considering how a home’s other features can impact energy consumption. To help improve home comfort and savings, SMECO encourages members to take a “whole-home approach” to energy efficiency upgrades. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s ENERGY STAR® program recommends completing the following improvements together to increase the energy efficiency of your home, ensure lasting savings, and minimize continued maintenance:
- Sealing major air leaks
- Addressing indoor air quality issues
- Ensuring adequate attic ventilation
- Adding insulation
Increasing Efficiency and Comfort
Air could be leaking from your home’s gaps, cracks, and seams. In addition to costing you money, air leaks also create drafts that let cold air in during winter and hot air in during summer. Sealing your home before adding insulation helps you save money and improve overall comfort.
- Conditioned air leaks from home
- Drafts decrease home comfort
- Areas must be sealed from inside the attic
- Leaks are sealed with caulk and foam
- Reduced drafts improve comfort
- Savings increase when combined with insulation
Improve Air Quality
Pollutants from cleaning products, paint, air fresheners, stoves, fireplaces, humidifiers, and building materials can accumulate and affect your indoor air quality. Work with an energy expert to see if your home needs additional ventilation to minimize health and safety risks and maximize your peace of mind.
Increase Durability
Moisture inside your home can cause musty smells and mildew to grow. Sealing air leaks in your basement or crawl space and making sure bathroom exhaust fans are properly vented out of your home can help prevent costly repairs.
Save for Years to Come
Increasing the energy efficiency of your home with projects recommended through SMECO’s Home Energy Improvement Program has a faster payback period than completing most other home improvements. Plus, SMECO offers valuable rebates to help you save even more.
Explore More
Typical Improvements
Find out what kinds of energy efficiency improvements may benefit your home.
Available Financing
Learn about low-interest loans and other financing options for your energy-saving upgrades.
Authorized Contractors
Select a Service Provider to install your recommended upgrades.
Energy Advisors
Meet our team of efficiency experts and ask specific questions about your home.
Energy Efficiency Programs
Learn about all the ways SMECO can help you save energy and money at home.
Questions?
Get answers. Check out the frequently asked questions, submit a question to a SMECO Energy Advisor, or call 877-818-4094.
EmPOWER Maryland programs are funded by a charge on your energy bill. EmPOWER programs can help you reduce your energy consumption and save you money. Learn more about EmPOWER and how you can participate.