Homeowners who participate in the Strong Homes Program save an average of 10 percent on their energy efficiency services
Residents who choose to invest in efficiency upgrades can save 15 to 25 percent on their home energy bills. Groundswell helps to lower the upfront cost of investing in energy audits and efficiency upgrades.
Homeowners who participate in Groundswell’s Strong Homes Program can secure discounted efficiency services through the economic power of collective purchasing. Those savings, combined with local and federal incentives, help make efficiency upgrades a better bargain than ever before.
Efficiency upgrades are unique among home improvements in that they pay for themselves. Payback period is the term used to describe how residents recoup all of their initial investment over time through savings on their energy bills.
Other benefits include improved home comfort, improved health from better home air quality, and positive environmental impact.
District of Columbia: Single-Family Home
|
Average |
With Local Incentives* & Tax Credits**... |
And with 10% Group Discount*** |
|
| Energy Assessment | $350 | $350 | $350 |
| Weatherization Projects | $4,000-$6,000 | $3,000-$5,000 | $2,600-$4,400 |
| Test Out Assessment | Free with Groundswell | Free with Groundswell | Free with Groundswell |
| Payback Period | 12.5 years | 10 years | 9.5 years |
*DC Home Performance with ENERGY STAR offers $500 rebate for qualified upgrades
**As of January 2013, the federal government reactivated the 25c tax credit, which can be used to cover up to 10% of the costs of home energy efficiency improvements with a maximum credit of $500. The credit is retroactive, covering efficiency improvements purchased between January 1, 2012 and December 31, 2013. This tax credit was part of the American Taxpayer Relief Act of 2012.
***average Strong Homes Program discount applied before local incentives and tax credits
Maryland: Single-Family Home
|
Average |
With Local Incentives* & Tax Credits**... |
And with 10% Group Discount*** |
|
| Energy Assessment | $350 | $100 | $100 |
| Weatherization Projects | $4,000-$6,000 | $1,500-3,500 | $1,300-$2,900 |
| Test Out Assessment | Free with Groundswell | Free with Groundswell | Free with Groundswell |
| Payback Period | 12.5 years | 6.25 years | 5.25 years |
* emPOWER MD. Example: Pepco offers $100 assessments and up to $2,000 rebate. Additional utility incentives may exist.
**As of January 2013, the federal government reactivated the 25c tax credit, which can be used to cover up to 10% of the costs of home energy efficiency improvements with a maximum credit of $500. The credit is retroactive, covering efficiency improvements purchased between January 1, 2012 and December 31, 2013. This tax credit was part of the American Taxpayer Relief Act of 2012.
*** average Strong Homes Program discount applied before local incentives and tax credits
Virginia: Single-Family Home
|
Average |
With Local Incentives* & Tax Credits**... |
And with 10% Group Discount*** |
|
| Energy Assessment | $350 | $100 | $100 |
| Weatherization Projects | $4,000-$6,000 | $3,655-$5,655 | $3,255-$5,055 |
| Test Out Assessment | Free with Groundswell | Free with Groundswell | Free with Groundswell |
| Payback Period | 12 ½ years | 11 ½ years | 10 years |
*up to $595, $250 of which can go toward Energy Assessment, from Virginia State Rebate Program
**As of January 2013, the federal government reactivated the 25c tax credit, which can be used to cover up to 10% of the costs of home energy efficiency improvements with a maximum credit of $500. The credit is retroactive, covering efficiency improvements purchased between January 1, 2012 and December 31, 2013. This tax credit was part of the American Taxpayer Relief Act of 2012.
***average Strong Homes Program discount applied before local incentives and tax credits
