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Maryland EmPOWER Program

Save money with a FREE home energy audit.

Through Maryland’s EmPOWER Program, income-eligible homeowners may qualify for a free professional home energy audit and energy-saving improvements — installed at little or no cost. Next Phase Electric helps you check eligibility and get started.

Serving Maryland homeowners  •  Licensed & insured  •  Professional energy audits  •  Free, no obligation

Check My Eligibility for FREE Services

Tell us a little about your home and utility — we’ll help confirm your EmPOWER eligibility.

Consent

By submitting, you agree to be contacted about your EmPOWER eligibility. No cost, no obligation.

The program

What is the Maryland EmPOWER Program?

EmPOWER Maryland is the state’s Limited Income Energy Efficiency Program. It helps income-eligible households make their homes more comfortable and affordable to run — through a professional energy audit and recommended improvements.

Lower energy bills

Targeted improvements reduce how much energy your home wastes all year long.

Greater comfort

Fewer drafts and more even temperatures in every room, in every season.

More efficiency

Insulation, sealing and equipment upgrades that make your whole home perform better.

Improvements at no cost

Eligible households receive recommended upgrades at little or no charge through the program.

Healthier & safer

Audits can flag health and safety issues and improve indoor air quality.

Better home performance

A follow-up check confirms your home is running more efficiently after the work is done.

What you may receive

Energy-saving improvements you may receive.

Your audit determines which measures fit your home. For eligible households, approved improvements are installed at no charge.

FREE home energy audit

A professional assessment that pinpoints exactly where your home loses energy.

Air sealing

Sealing leaks around windows, doors and framing to stop drafts and heat loss.

Attic & wall insulation

Added insulation keeps conditioned air where it belongs — inside your home.

Heating & cooling improvements

Furnace cleaning, tuning and safety repairs so your system runs safely and efficiently.

Water heating improvements

Upgrades and measures that cut the cost of heating your home’s water.

LED lighting

Efficient LED retrofits that use a fraction of the energy and last far longer.

Health & safety improvements

Measures that address safety concerns and improve your home’s indoor air.

Lower utility bills

All of it adds up to real, lasting savings on your monthly energy costs.

Greater home comfort

A home that stays warmer in winter, cooler in summer, and quieter year-round.

Eligibility

Who qualifies?

EmPOWER is designed for income-eligible Maryland households. You likely qualify if the following apply — and we’ll help you confirm it.

You’re a Maryland homeowner

The program serves owner-occupied homes across the state (renters may qualify through their property owner).

You’re a participating utility customer

You have an account with BGE, Delmarva Power, FirstEnergy/Potomac Edison, Pepco, SMECO or Washington Gas.

Your household income is within the limits

Income limits scale with household size — see the current figures alongside.

Or you’re already enrolled in assistance

Receiving SNAP, TANF, SSI, Medicaid or OHEP energy assistance? You’re automatically income-eligible.

Household income limits

Maximum annual household income by family size.

Family size
Max annual income
1
$72,950
2
$83,400
3
$93,800
4
$104,200
5
$112,550
6
$120,900
7
$129,250
8
$137,550

Larger households: limits continue to increase per additional person. Source: Maryland DHCD, updated 07/2025.

How it works

From first call to a more efficient home.

1

Contact us

Fill out the eligibility form or call. Share a few details about your home and utility.

2

Verify eligibility

We help confirm your income and utility eligibility for the EmPOWER Program.

3

Schedule your FREE audit

We coordinate your no-cost professional home energy audit at a time that works for you.

4

Get recommendations

Receive prioritized improvements — and, for eligible homes, the approved upgrades at no charge.

Why Next Phase

A local team that makes the program simple.

Local Maryland company

We know Maryland homes, utilities and the program inside and out.

Experienced energy auditors

Thorough, professional assessments you can trust.

Friendly customer service

Real people who answer your questions in plain language.

Easy scheduling

Flexible appointment windows that fit your day.

We help you navigate

We guide you through eligibility and every step that follows.

Honest recommendations

Advice based on your home’s needs — never a hard sell.

Fast response times

We follow up quickly so nothing stalls your savings.

Professional team

Courteous, background-checked professionals in your home.

Reviews

What Maryland homeowners say.

Placeholder reviews — swap in your own once you’ve collected them.

★★★★★

“They walked us through eligibility, booked the audit, and our house is noticeably warmer this winter. The whole thing was free and genuinely easy.”

— Maryland homeowner

★★★★★

“Straightforward from the first call. They confirmed we qualified and handled the scheduling — no pressure, no surprises.”

— Baltimore County resident

★★★★★

“The auditor was professional and explained everything. Our energy bills have come down since the improvements.”

— Anne Arundel homeowner

FAQ

Your questions, answered.

Everything Maryland homeowners want to know about the EmPOWER Program and the free energy audit.

EmPOWER Maryland is the state’s Limited Income Energy Efficiency Program. It helps income-eligible households make their homes more efficient with a professional energy audit and recommended improvements installed at no cost.

Yes. For households that meet the program’s income and utility requirements, the audit and approved energy-saving improvements are provided at no cost through EmPOWER.

Maryland homeowners who meet household income limits and are customers of a participating utility (BGE, Delmarva Power, FirstEnergy/Potomac Edison, Pepco, SMECO or Washington Gas). If you already receive SNAP, TANF, SSI, Medicaid or OHEP, you’re automatically income-eligible.

Most audits take a few hours. An auditor inspects insulation, air leaks, heating and cooling, water heating and lighting, then prioritizes the improvements that save you the most energy.

The auditor reviews the findings with you and, for eligible households, schedules a contractor to complete the recommended improvements. A follow-up evaluation then confirms your home is running more efficiently.

Eligible households receive the audit and approved improvements at no charge. We help confirm your eligibility before any work is scheduled, so there are no surprises.

Depending on your home and audit results, improvements may include attic, wall and floor insulation, air sealing, hot water system improvements, heating system cleaning and safety repairs, and LED lighting.

We help homeowners throughout Maryland. Because EmPOWER eligibility depends on your utility, we’ll confirm the program applies to your specific address when you reach out.

Complete the eligibility form on this page or call us. We’ll review your details, help confirm your EmPOWER eligibility, and schedule your free home energy audit.

Service area

Proudly serving Maryland homeowners.

We help homeowners across Maryland tap into the EmPOWER Program — from the Baltimore metro to the Eastern Shore and beyond.

📍

All of Maryland

From Baltimore & the DMV suburbs to Southern Maryland and the Eastern Shore.

Get started

Ready to lower your energy bills?

Our team is here to help determine your eligibility and guide you through every step of the Maryland EmPOWER Program. Start with a FREE home energy audit.

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