EmPower Maryland distributes funds from the MD Energy Administration to customers of multiple electric utilities in Maryland (though low-income customer programs are administered by MD Dept of Housing & Community Development).PEPCO’s programs for small businesses (defined as average monthly demand <100kW) required that the work be performed by either the owner or an approved Service Provider. Any contractor may apply to be approved as a service provider. All applications for incentives must be submitted prior to purchasing the energy-efficient equipment. Combination of rebates exceeding $30,000 within 3 years will require special justification. There are 3 major categories for the application path:
 
1.Existing Building – component replacement
a.Lighting: rebate per fixture replaced, ranging from $7 to $120 \
b.HVAC Units
c.Variable Frequency Drives (pumps, fans, etc.)
d.Misc Equipment - Water Heaters, Washers, Dehumidifiers
e.Electrical Controls
f.Commercial Kitchen Equipment
 
2.New Construction, Addition, and Major Renovation – Prescriptive Path
a.Application instructions and link to lighting worksheet
b.HVAC: pre-approval required based on cut sheets; unitary HVAC systems with incentive <$15,000 gets instant pre-approval. Incentive is up to $225/ton.
c.Lighting: Submission requires a lighting plan, fixture schedule, and labelled cut sheets, and filling out Lighting Fixtures and Controls Workbook. Incentive is 40 to 80 cents/watt saved.
Link to new construction design-based lighting worksheet is on this page
d.Electronic Controls
e.Variable Frequency Drives
f.Commercial cooking equipment, water coolers, and window films:
 
3.Custom Path: Applications such as custom lighting, energy management systems, and industrial systems may submit a Technical Analysis Study Report – the excel file is linked here; more info here.
 
Comprehensive Design support provides technical assistance in analysis of options for Projects are eligible for “comprehensive design support” if they are 50,000 sf or larger or have >150 tons cooling and >75kW lighting load.