Program Benefits

• Increase the affordability of electricity services to low-income customers;
• Reduce the consumption of electricity; and,
• Provide environmental benefits.

Efficiency Maine minimizes administrative costs by working with MSHA and the CAPs to supplement an existing federal program. The federal program administered by MSHA and delivered by the CAPs provides energy audits and weatherization services to qualified customers. The mechanism that allows Efficiency Maine to supplement these efforts is a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with MSHA under which CAP energy auditors arrange for the replacement of refrigerators when the estimated energy savings are 750 or more kWh per year and replacement of freezers when the estimated energy savings are 978 kWh or more per year. The auditors also install energy efficient compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs) in locations where they will provide the greatest energy savings.

This year, Maine’s CAPs will deliver more than 2,500 refrigerators / freezers and 30,000 CFLs to low income customers. Altogether, the refrigerators, freezers and efficient lights are estimated to save each customer more than 2,000 kWh per year. The lifetime economic benefits of the program increased 115% from $1.3 million in 2004 to $2.7 million in 2006. For the same time period, overall program costs increased 77% from $1.1 million to $1.9 million. The program is cost effective with a benefit to cost ratio of 1.4 to 1. By statute, Efficiency Maine is charged to spend 20% of total efficiency funds on low-income programs. In 2006, we spent 21%.

CAP energy auditors and weatherization specialists will estimate the efficiency of the refrigerators and freezers in homes they are auditing. When the auditors find that a refrigerator replacement will save 750 or more kWh per year and for a freezer replacement that will save 978 or more kWh per year, Efficiency Maine funds the purchase of a new, more energy efficient model. While on site, the auditors may also install energy efficient compact fluorescent lamps in locations where they will provide the greatest savings.

This program is available to families or individuals that are determined income eligible under the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP). Incomes at or below 150% of federal poverty guidelines or incomes at or below 170% of federal poverty, if that household has a child or elderly member they may be eligible for the Low Income Appliance Replacement Program.

If you would like more information about this program, please contact Joy Adamson, the Efficiency Maine Program Manager at (207) 287-8350 or Jo-Ann Choate with the Maine State Housing Authority at (207) 626-4600.