Efficiency Maine extends its support to low- and moderate-income Mainers by offering cost-effective or free energy upgrades and more generous rebates for electric vehicles. These enhanced rebates are particularly advantageous for low-income individuals and households. Additionally, Efficiency Maine provides home energy loans to eligible homeowners to help improve energy efficiency.
To determine your eligibility, choose from the following options, which best describe your current situation:
- Qualified Low-Income Households: Those with at least one household member participating in any of the following programs may be eligible for the highest rebates for electric vehicles, heat pumps, water heaters, and insulation:
- Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP)
- Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) for food assistance
- Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) for cash assistance
- MaineCare for medical insurance coverage
- Qualified Moderate-Income Households: If your household’s federal Adjusted Gross Income (AGI) falls within the following criteria, you may be eligible for elevated rebates:
- AGI up to $70,000 for an individual filing as single, head of household, or married filing separately.
- AGI up to $100,000 if married filing jointly or if you’re an individual filing as a qualifying widower.
Efficiency Maine’s commitment to helping individuals and families improve energy efficiency and access cost-effective electric vehicle options is aimed at creating a more sustainable and accessible future for all.
Click here to learn more about Efficiency Maine Rebates.
Whole Home Heat Pump Incentives
Over 100,000 heat pumps have been installed in Maine and they are now more common than oil heat in new homes (source: 2021 Maine New Construction Baseline Assessment). They are the most popular heating system across all of Efficiency Maine’s rebates because they offer highly efficient heating, air conditioning, and dehumidification. Click here to find a contractor near you.
Incentives up to $10,600
- Federal Tax Credit up to $2,600 – Click here for details.
- Heat pumps up to $2,000
- 200+ amp circuit panels up to $600
- Efficiency Maine rebates up to $8,000
- Low income – 80% of project cost up to an $8,000 lifetime rebate limit per housing unit
- Moderate income – 60% of project cost up to a $6,000 lifetime rebate limit per housing unit
- Any income – 40% of project cost up to a $4,000 lifetime rebate limit per housing unit
Efficiency Maine Rebate Eligibility
Heat Pump(s)
- Only the costs of heat pumps with one indoor unit per outdoor unit (“single zone”) are eligible for a rebate. Both ductless and ducted indoor units are eligible.
- Heat pump indoor unit, outdoor unit (and air mover for ducted systems) combination is 25C federal tax credit-eligible (see “Air-Source Heat Pumps – North”)
- Heat pump(s) sized for at least 80% of home’s peak heating load
- Heat pump(s), combined with supplemental heat, sized for at least 100% of home’s peak heating load
- Installed according to the Heat Pump Installation Requirements Checklist
Participant
- Low-Income – Household member participates in MaineCare, HEAP, SNAP, or TANF and income eligibility verified here
- Moderate-Income – Adjusted Gross Income (AGI) up to $70,000 for individual tax filers, or $100,000 for joint filers and income eligibility verified here
- Any Income – Homeowner of any income
Building
- Primary, fossil-fueled, space-heating system, if any, connected only to a generator or disabled. Disabling can be done by disconnecting all related thermostats or, at minimum, securing the power switch in the off position with a switch lock cover and cable tie.
- single-family house, two-unit duplex, or condominium located in Maine
- Click here for all other building types, including mixed-use commercial/residential
- Existing or new construction
- Heated throughout heating season
- Homeowner principal residence (low- and moderate-income customers only)
Installer
Registered heat pump installer
Timeframe
- Heat pump(s) installed on or after 9/18/2023
Rebate claim form emailed or postmarked within 6 months of invoice date
Efficiency Maine Home Energy Loan Eligible?
- Yes, for low- and moderate-income customers. Click here for more details.
How to Get a Rebate
1. Verify eligibility for enhanced low- and moderate-income rebates (if applicable)
2. Hire a Residential Registered Vendor
3. Reserve low- or moderate-income rebate (optional)
4. Complete upgrade
5. Submit rebate claim form
6. Receive rebate check in mail
Terms and Conditions
Only one rebate will be paid for any given upgrade. Efficiency Maine does not warrant the performance of rebated upgrades. Program and incentives subject to change or termination. Please allow six weeks for rebate processing. Incomplete information may delay or disqualify your rebate. Efficiency Maine reserves the right to verify installation and perform an inspection.
