The Realtors’ Guide to the Maryland Geothermal Incentive
As Maryland continues to lead the nation in sustainability, homeowners are looking for ways to reduce their carbon footprint while lowering their utility bills. So, when a buyer purchases a home with a geothermal system, it gets mentioned as an energy-efficient feature, and then the conversation moves on without much detail. What often gets missed is that the system may not just reduce utility costs, but could also be generating ongoing income for the homeowner.
For realtors, understanding the financial incentives behind geothermal heating and cooling is no longer just a "nice-to-have", it's a massive value-add for clients. When you understand how the Maryland geothermal incentive works, you are able to offer clients a level of insight that goes beyond the transaction itself and into the long-term value of the home.
If you have helped or are helping a client buy or sell a home in Maryland with a geothermal heating and cooling system, you need to know about the incredible, and often overlooked, Geothermal Renewable Energy Credits (GRECs).
What are GRECs?
Maryland was the first state to include geothermal heating and cooling systems in its Renewable Portfolio Standard. This means that homeowners who install geothermal systems are generating clean energy, and that energy can earn GRECs.
In practical terms, this creates a pathway for homeowners to earn income from a system they already own. Once ClearPath Renewables expertly creates and submits the application to Maryland, the system generates GRECs and those credits are sold into the market, with proceeds going back to the homeowner over time.
How it works: We have an entire blog dedicated to explaining how GRECs work, but the quick overview is that ClearPath Renewables works with Maryland utilities who purchase GRECs to meet state sustainability goals.
The Benefit: Through ClearPath Renewables, homeowners can sell their GRECs to utility companies, putting cash back into their pockets for up to 20 years post installation.
The Bottom Line: GRECs drastically reduce and largely offset the cost of the geothermal system installation over time.
How to Inform Your Clients of GRECs
Bringing up GRECs does not require a deep technical explanation or additional work on your end. In most cases, a straightforward question is enough to open the conversation and provide immediate value.
You might ask whether they are aware that most geothermal systems are eligible to earn GREC income, and then briefly explain that it is a state-sponsored incentive. From there, your role is simply to point them toward ClearPath Renewables’ website where the program can be clearly explained.
ClearPath Renewables was built to handle this exact complexity by managing enrollment, application, and ongoing credit sales on behalf of the homeowner. The goal is to create a structured, hands-off experience where the homeowner understands what they are earning without needing to manage the underlying mechanics.
Here are a few quick pointers to help guide the conversation:
Ask your clients directly: “Do you have geothermal HVAC and are you missing out on quarterly cash credits?”
GRECs can be earned by any homeowner or business that has installed geothermal within the last 20 years.
Provide the One-Page Flyer either in hard copy or through email informing them of the opportunity.
Refer them to ClearPath Renewable’s website where a wealth of information exists in the Frequently Asked Questions and Blogs.
Have them reach out directly to the owner/founder Wade Sewell at wade@clearpathrenewables.com
What’s the Benefit to You?
When you introduce GRECs in a clear and practical way, you are helping clients understand the full financial picture of their home. This positions you as someone who is not only facilitating a transaction, but also looking out for opportunities that benefit them long after closing.
Over time, this kind of guidance builds stronger relationships and increases the likelihood of referrals. Clients tend to remember the moments where they were given clarity on something that others overlooked, especially when it has a direct financial impact.
By recognizing when a property includes geothermal and connecting that to potential income, you can help close that gap in a way that feels natural and useful.
If you want a simple way to help clients understand whether their system may qualify and what the process looks like, ClearPath Renewables can walk them through it step by step with a clear and structured approach.