What is the best way to get started?
The best way to get started is to contact a participating contractor. You can find one here (pdf). For guidance on how to choose and energy auditor, what their certifications mean, tips on maximizing your audit and much more, see our comprehensive section on Home Energy Audits.
Is it a projected amount or measured?
Incentives are based on projected savings, as calculated by your participating contractor using an approved software program.
How are savings measured?
Savings are estimated during the initial energy audit using approved software. At the moment, it appears that two specific tools are approved for this: TREAT (Targeted Retrofit Energy Analysis Tool) from PSD Consulting and Real Home Analyzer (no details online that we can find) which is Conservation Services Group's in-house tool. There is some controversy amongst the Maine energy efficiency professional community about the variability of results when using each of these tools. We'll stay on top of it, and keep this updated.
Is the homeowner at risk if the project doesn't achieve projected savings?
The contractor takes responsibility if the project fails to achieve projected savings. In public meetings, Efficiency Maine and CSG have stated that the homeowner is not at risk (unless, some time after the project is approved, the homeowner decides not to follow through with recommended improvements).
Is there any way to estimate the full project cost before investing in the energy audit?
This is a conversation to have with your auditor, but our view is you'll need to commit yourself to the $350-500 that a typical audit costs. Without going through the audit, it is difficult to estimate what remediation will be required in your home and how much it will cost. We beleive that an energy audit is one of the very best investments you can make, however. Even if you don't end up using the state incentives immediately, a high quality energy audit report is a roadmap for energy improvements that you can take on yourself, or with professional assistance, at whatever pace you choose.
How feasible is a 25 to 50% reduction, and how much is such a project likely to cost?
The answer to this question depends entirely on the individual residence. In our experience, older homes that have not yet tackled their air leakage issues can make significant reductions through relatively simple weatherization and air sealing measures. The cost of these depends entirely on the complexity of the structure. We've seen many examples of projects costing between $2,000 and $10,000 that have achieved 50% reductions in heating energy or more. As more projects are completed under the ME Home Performance Program, we plan to publish real world examples here. (Note to auditors/contractors: if you'd like us to feature your projects, please email us at info at energycircle dot com.)
Is the price of the audit included?
Although that depends on the contractor, you should be able to strike up a package deal with him or her, and there's a good chance you can get the price of the audit included in the total cost of the work.
What is the source of funding for this program?
Funding for this program comes from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (commonly known as the federal stimulus package).
Who is administering this program?
The program is being administered by Conservation Services Group, a diverse company with a long history in residential energy efficiency going back 25 years. They're headquartered in Massachusetts.
Is it the expectation that the contractor will do the paperwork?
The contractor takes care of the paperwork, but the check goes directly to the homeowner.
Are specific types of retrofit projects required to be eligible for the incentive?
There is flexibility in the program, but keep in mind that to be eligible, you need to produce energy savings from heat or domestic hot water (DHW.) The most cost-effective approaches to reducing heat almost always involve air sealing and insulation, and the state is saying that these measures are "required if applicable". (Presumably this means that if you've already air sealed and insulated your home, you don't need to do it again.)
What other types of measures are eligible?
Besides air sealing and insulation, other possibilities include high efficiency heating equipment, high efficiency domestic hot water equipment, programmable thermostats and other controls, solar water heating, low-flow showerheads and aerators, and EnergyStar windows.
Is pre-approval required, or can I have the work done and apply for the incentive later?
Pre-approval is required. However, if you've had an energy audit done since January 1, 2009, but haven't yet had work done, you are eligible to apply for the incentive.
Can my contractor do the work, or do I have to find a contractor who is specially certified?
Participating contractors must be certified by either BPI, RESNET, or the Maine Housing Authority, and all work must be overseen by a contractor who has BPI certification in his/her core area or is otherwise approved in writing by the program manager. The ultimate goal is to provide BPI training to all participating contractors.
How much money is dedicated to the program and when is it expected to run out?
The original funding for the program was $9 million. Using the stated goal of retrofitting 4000 Maine homes, this would mean 2000 homes would receive the $1500 incentive for a 25% reduction and 2000 would receive the $3000 incentive for a 50% reduction. However, this math does not take into account administrative costs for the program. To our knowledge, these costs have not yet been disclosed. Based on what we're hearing, there isn't massive demand for the program at this time, but Efficiency Maine is in the process of launching a marketing program to promote it. We suggest jumping on the opportunity now.
Do you have other questions not answered here? Use the comments to ask away. We'll track the answers down.
Latest Update: 2.20.10
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