SILVER SPRING – Owners of historic homes in Montgomery County who want to learn more about their energy usage and ways to conserve energy should apply to participate in a free home audit available through the Planning Department’s Historic Preservation Section.
Thanks to a $6,000 grant from the Maryland Historical Trust, historic preservation planners will run the local Energy Efficiency Initiative for selected owners of 8-10 historic homes in the county. Montgomery County was one of four Maryland communities – including Annapolis, Chestertown and Cumberland – to receive the grant.
Planners hope to include properties from across the county representing a variety of historic home types.
Owners of the more than 3,000 homes designated historic on the county Master Plan for Historic Preservation or located in a designated historic district are eligible to apply. Learn more, find out whether your property has been designated and download an application at www.montgomeryplanning.org/historic/. The deadline is March 31.
Properties will be selected for the audits based on location, age, size and materials used in construction of the residence as well as when applications are submitted.
The audits, valued at $500 per home, will identify ways to save energy in homes that may have unique challenges. Home audits, which typically consider heating and cooling systems, water and electricity, are all the more important since buildings account for about 40 percent of all U.S. energy used.
Historic homes, constructed differently from modern buildings, may require special attention when considering how to improve energy performance. Along with audit results, homeowners will receive information about incentives – tax credits, grants and rebates – available to owners improving their historic homes.
Audit findings and trends will be featured in a report and case studies at the conclusion of the Energy Efficiency Initiative.
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