Navigating the world of energy efficiency and weatherization assistance programs can be confusing. This page is designed to answer any questions you may have about our weatherization services. Take a look at the weatherization FAQs below, and feel free to contact CAC if you still have any unanswered questions.
Weatherization helps eligible households with low to moderate income across the State of Maryland make energy-saving upgrades to their homes at no charge. Weatherization services that can make your home safer, healthier, and more energy efficient include:
The weatherization program does not offer:
First, see if you meet the income guidelines for CAC weatherization assistance here. Then, fill out our online intake form. We’ll ask you some basic questions about yourself and your home. After we review your submission, we’ll reach out to confirm your approval or let you know if a full application is needed.
Learn more about our program’s income guidelines here. Both homeowners and renters can qualify.
Yes, CAC provides weatherization services to homeowners and renters across the state of Maryland, in 18 counties plus Baltimore City.
Central Region: Baltimore City, Baltimore County, Harford, Howard, Montgomery
Eastern Shore: Caroline, Cecil, Dorchester, Kent, Queen Anne’s, Somerset, Talbot, Wicomico, Worchester
Southern Region: Anne Arundel, Prince George’s
Western Region: Carroll, Frederick, Washington
If you live outside our service areas, please contact us and we’ll be happy to connect you to an agency that can help.
When you applied for energy or utility assistance, you indicated your interest in energy efficiency programs. Don’t worry, no one is selling your information. These two programs work together for your benefit.
If you prefer not to move forward with weatherization, please contact us and we’ll remove you from our list. We understand circumstances change and now may not be the best time for you. You are welcome to reapply at any time. Please note, grant guidelines require us to continue to reach out until you tell us otherwise.
During an energy assessment (which is known as an energy audit), our auditors will perform a series of tests throughout your home to determine how your home uses energy. Please review our Safe Assessment Procedures and Practices and follow the list below to prepare your home for your energy assessment:
Assessments can take up to 3 hours to complete. The auditor will review the initial results of the assessment before leaving. Please be aware if your home is not “weatherization-ready,” you will receive a deferral form.
If you’ve received a deferral form or were told that your home is not weatherization-ready, it is likely because there are health and safety issues that need to be addressed before weatherization services are performed. These issues can include:
This does not mean you are no longer eligible to receive weatherization assistance. However, you will have to address the issues noted on your deferral form before work can continue. If you have additional questions about your deferral form or next steps, please contact our office.
Our crew will contact you directly to schedule a start date. It typically takes up to two weeks from the energy assessment to prepare the work order.
Each weatherization job is customized to meet the home’s energy needs. Some jobs may require two or three specialized crews to complete the work order. Depending on the parts needed, weatherization work can take several weeks.
You will still be able to live in your home while weatherization work is performed. You’ll need to be there in person when the initial energy assessment is completed. You can coordinate with the contractor as to whether you need to be home during the actual weatherization process itself. Pets should be contained while work happens.
All weatherization jobs must be inspected by CAC after the crew leaves. You will be contacted by our office to schedule a Quality Control Inspection. Some jobs may require additional inspections from the county—our crew will keep you informed.
During the Quality Control Inspection (QCI), our trained inspectors perform all of the same tests from the initial energy assessment. We want to be sure the work that was completed by our contractors will truly save you money on your utility bills. The QCI is a required step of the weatherization process.
Yes! Please complete the intake form and a weatherization staff member will help you get started. Please be sure to have your landlord’s name, phone number, and email address ready so we can contact them to receive the necessary permissions. Click here to read the Renter’s Pathway to Weatherization for more information.
Please call the number on your letter and we will get you scheduled for an energy assessment. If you are a renter, please have your landlord’s name, phone number, and/or email address ready so we can contact them to receive the necessary permissions.
Every home is different, and how much you’ll save on monthly energy bills will depend on the condition of your home before it’s weatherized. On average, a home that participates in one of the CAC’s weatherization assistance programs will see annual savings of about $283!
When you call a repair company, it’s because you’ve noticed something is broken in your home. The company will make repairs and send you a bill. Weatherization through CAC is a no-cost service that does more than fix broken appliances. Our energy assessers are trained to look for potential energy efficiency improvements that you may not even know about. With our weatherization programs, we’ll make sure every part of your home is working together to lower your energy costs.
Weatherization services combine a variety of grants including:
Weatherization services are provided at no cost to homeowners and renters. For landlords, we strive to keep their contributions low and, in most cases, also no cost. Any costs are discussed upfront prior to work starting.
Yes, weatherization work can be performed at any time of the year and will result in energy savings and improvements to home comfort. It’s always better to weatherize a home sooner rather than later. Every month you wait to schedule an assessment is a month where you pay more in energy bills!
Reach out to our offices and we will look into your specific situation further. Because the funding for our weatherization programs comes from federal, state, and utility grants, there are specific guidelines we must follow for homes that may have received weatherization assistance in the past. This includes homes that were owned by someone else at the time.
Weatherization services are available for families with low to moderate income levels and have different income limits which are often more inclusive than other services. If your income falls below the maximum outlined on our Income Eligibility page, please complete our online intake form to learn more about the services available to you.
We resolve to meet our community’s needs quickly, strategically, thoughtfully, and always with compassion.
