1) What is the Efficiency Maine Home Energy Savings Program?
The Efficiency Maine Home Energy Savings Program was created by Efficiency Maine as a way to create jobs, help homeowners save money, reduce our dependence on foreign oil and cut greenhouse gas emissions using funds from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) -- also known as the stimulus package.
What does it mean for you? It means that, for a limited time, you can take advantage of stimulus dollars to improve your home's energy efficiency, comfort, and safety. Bear in mind that all energy efficiency improvements you make to your home will pay dividends in the long run; the Maine Home Performance program is simply a way to take a bite out of the (often daunting) upfront cost: the first 4,000 homes in the program are eligible for up to $3,000 in rebates for approved projects.
Energy efficiency upgrades eligible for the incentives are categorized into two tiers:
Tier 1 projects eligible for a rebate of 30% of the total cost of the project, capped at $1,500 per dwelling unit, must lead to an estimate heat or hot water energy reduction of 25% or more.
Tier 2 projects include those which will lead to heat or hot water energy reductions of 50% or more. These projects are eligible for a rebate of 50% of the cost of the project, capped at $3,000 per dwelling unit.
2) How do I take advantage of it?
To get started, you'll first want to call a certified contractor/energy auditor. We recommend getting right on it, because only the first 4,000 homeowners to sign up will be eligible. Check here to find an energy auditor in your area.
Even before you call a contractor, you'll want to start thinking about what projects your home is most in need of. You can choose to make one or several improvements, provided that all the work you have done will lead to an estimated energy savings of 25% or more (you will find out what projects will lead to what savings during your initial energy audit). Here are the improvements that are eligible:
- Insulation and air sealing (required where applicable)
- High efficiency heating and domestic hot water equipment
- Programmable thermostats and other controls
- Solar water heating systems
- Water saving devices such as low flow showerheads and faucet aerators
- Energy efficient replacement windows.
3) What's the fine print?
- Homes must be occupied and heated year-round (no upgrading the camp).
- Only 1-4 unit residential buildings are eligible (no upgrading the skyscraper).
- Pre-installation review and pre-approval are required.
- The energy audit portion of the process works retroactively: if you have had an energy audit conducted as far back as January 1, 2009, that may count as your pre-installation review. The installation portion of the process, however, does not work retroactively: you need to apply for the incentive before you have the work done.
- To be eligible for the incentive, projects must lead to a heating or domestic hot water energy reduction of 25% or more. Consulting an energy auditor is the best way to determine the best, most cost-effective way to reach that 25% reduction -- remember, to receive the rebate you will need to have an energy audit anyway, so we recommend getting a hold of an energy auditor as soon as possible.
- All income levels are eligible to participate. However, lower-income Maine residents should also check out the Maine Housing Authority website for further incentives.
- Energy audits must be conducted by certified and approved home energy auditors / home energy analysts.
- Installations must be completed by participating Maine Home Performance contractors.
4) Where do I find official information on the program?
Efficiency Maine's page on the program, including downloadable forms and other documents, is here.
For even more information, see Energy Circle's growing collection of Frequently Asked Questions.
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