CEA 0% Interest Loans
Affordable Financing for Home Energy Upgrades
MCEC’s Clean Energy Advantage (CEA) Loan Program offers Maryland homeowners easy and affordable financing options for making energy improvements, regardless of their income level. Get a 0% APR loan for the first 24 months on energy-saving upgrades like heating and cooling, insulation, windows, and more.
Note: Please confirm current program status.
The CEA Loan Program offers 0% APR financing for the first 24 months on qualifying energy-efficient home upgrades. After 24 months, interest applies at market rates with fixed low interest rate terms of three, five, or ten years available. A maximum of $50,000 in financing is available per installation address. Loans are administered by the Maryland Clean Energy Center and Montgomery County Green Bank as authorized by the Maryland Public Utilities Commission. Offer valid while program funds last.
The CEA Loan Program covers a wide range of qualifying energy-efficient home improvements including heating and cooling systems such as furnaces, boilers, heat pumps, and air conditioners; insulation and air sealing; windows and doors; water heaters; and other qualifying energy-efficient upgrades. Eligible projects vary by utility — your participating contractor can confirm what qualifies in your service area. All loan projects must go through your utility’s Home Performance with ENERGY STAR (HPwES), Home Energy Improvement Program (HEIP), or HVAC rebate program.
The CEA Loan Program is available to Maryland residents served by BGE, SMECO, Potomac Edison, Delmarva Power, Pepco (excluding Montgomery County), or Washington Gas. Loans are available to homeowners of all income levels, with expanded eligibility for residents with credit scores as low as 580. Loan approval is contingent upon meeting the conditions of the Clean Energy Advantage Loan Program.
The application process is managed through your utility’s rebate program and a participating contractor. Follow these steps to get started:
- Find your utility from the list of participating utilities above and visit their rebate program page
- Select a participating contractor in your service area
- Contact the contractor to discuss qualifying home energy improvements
- Your contractor will assist you with the loan application process and ensure installed measures meet eligibility requirements
Residents pay no fees and no interest for the first 24 months. Contractors must assist applicants through the process to ensure that installed measures meet eligibility requirements.
The CEA Loan can be combined with EmPOWER Maryland utility rebates and federal tax credits under the Inflation Reduction Act for even greater savings. Homeowners can save up to $3,200 per year on qualifying energy-efficient home upgrades under federal tax credits, covering up to 30% of eligible expenses. When combined with EmPOWER rebates, it has never been more affordable to make energy-efficient home improvements.
Since its launch in 2022, the CEA Loan Program has helped hundreds of Maryland homeowners save energy and reduce costs while improving the comfort of their homes. The program has provided over $5.1 million in affordable financing, approved more than 460 loans, generated over 21,000 job hours for local contractors, and resulted in $1.2 million kilowatt-hours of projected annual energy savings. Projects range from insulation upgrades to full HVAC system replacements.
Ready to Explore Other Financial Help?
Assistance programs, rebates, and tax credits are also available for Maryland residents at every income level.