Annual Recognition Event Acknowledges the Achievements of Maine Contractors and Vendors that Support Efficiency Maine’s Initiatives

Augusta, Maine – September 11, 2025 – Last night, Efficiency Maine recognized contractors and vendors who have made outstanding contributions to inspire Maine homeowners and businesses to invest in energy efficiency. Their activities include selling, installing, and servicing high-efficiency lighting, insulation, heating and cooling systems, refrigeration equipment, electric vehicles (EVs), and other upgrades that are promoted through the quasi-state agency’s programs. Efficiency Maine also honored the Town of Winthrop, Maine, with its Philip C. Hastings Award for significant contributions to Maine’s economy and environment through exemplary efforts in the field of energy efficiency. The event took place at the Harraseeket Inn in Freeport, Maine.

More than 160 electricians, plumbers, heating system installers, insulation technicians, distributors, manufacturers, business owners, electric vehicle dealers, and other stakeholders, gathered for the recognition and to review results from Efficiency Maine’s programs last year and plans for the year ahead. “Beneficial electrification,” which is achieved when consumers reduce their energy bills by switching from fossil fuels to high-efficiency electric alternatives, such as heat pumps, was a featured topic. In his keynote address, Patrick Woodcock, president and CEO of the Maine State Chamber of Commerce, also commended Maine’s business community for successfully promoting energy efficiency to Maine’s homes and businesses and helping them to lower their energy costs.

Independent contractors play a critical role in assisting Maine consumers to install energy upgrades. With the help of Efficiency Maine’s rebates and educational materials, home energy upgrades are delivered by Residential Registered Vendors while energy improvements at commercial and industrial facilities are provided by Efficiency Maine’s Qualified Partners. Efficiency Maine’s EV program is supported by 85 participating car dealerships throughout the state, three of which also were recognized as the top sellers of battery electric vehicles and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles. 

Efficiency Maine presented 27 contractors, vendors, and dealerships with awards for outstanding performance in selling and servicing energy-efficiency measures using financial incentives offered by the statewide energy efficiency administrator. These companies are among the more than 800 trade allies listed on the organization’s website that meet Efficiency Maine’s requirements to access available incentives. 

For outstanding contributions in the category of Residential Programs in 2025, the Trust recognized: 

• Dave’s World, Inc., multiple locations 
• Evergreen Home Performance, LLC, multiple locations
• F.W. Webb Company, multiple locations
• Free Energy Maine, multiple locations
• The Granite Group, multiple locations
• The Home Depot, multiple locations
• Mattra, Inc., Lewiston
• Northeast Heat Pumps, Brunswick
• Rheem Manufacturing Company, multiple locations
• Riser Heat Pumps, Gray
• Taco Comfort Solutions, Cranston (Rhode Island)
• Valley Home Services, Inc., multiple locations

For outstanding contributions in the category of Commercial Programs in 2025, the Trust recognized:

• Dave’s Heat Pumps, Winthrop
• Do It All Dragon, Van Buren
• EcoHeat Maine, Norway
• F.W. Webb Company, multiple locations
• Gilman Electrical Supply Co., Ellsworth
• J.H. McPartland & Sons, Houlton
• Johnstone Supply, multiple locations
• Mechanical Services, Portland
• Oberon Initiatives, Sanford
• Logix, LLC, Belfast
• Sundog Solar, Searsport
• Wesco Electrical Supply, Bangor 

For outstanding contributions in the category of Electric Vehicle Program in 2025, the Trust recognized:

• Charlie’s Auto Group, Augusta
• Lee Toyota Topsham, Topsham
• Rowe Ford Hyundai, Westbrook

“Last year Maine’s vendors and contractors blew away every previous record for the number of heat pumps installed,” said Michael Stoddard, executive director of Efficiency Maine. “More than 11,700 homes received new heat pumps that now serve as their primary heating system, while an additional 7,600 heat pumps were installed in commercial buildings. We are making significant progress toward transitioning Maine’s heating and cooling market to high-efficiency heat pumps.”

“Maine has built a reputation as a national energy efficiency leader because of the hard work of hundreds of Maine businesses to implement innovative business models, integrate cutting-edge technology, and build a trained and durable workforce,” said Patrick Woodcock, president and CEO of the Maine State Chamber of Commerce. “I applaud Efficiency Maine Trust for their continued efforts to manage statewide programs that lower energy costs and for recognizing the incredible accomplishments of Maine energy businesses in delivering energy solutions for Maine households and businesses.” 

The annual Philip C. Hastings Award was presented to the Town of Winthrop, Maine. The Award recognizes an individual or organization for significant contributions to Maine’s economy and environment through exemplary efforts in the field of energy efficiency. The Hastings Award is named after the original director of state energy conservation programs when they were administered by the Maine Public Utilities Commission and celebrates his legacy by memorializing his extraordinary commitment to and leadership of energy efficiency programs.

The Town of Winthrop used American Rescue Plan Act grant funding administered by Efficiency Maine to complete six high-efficiency heating, ventilation, and air conditioning projects in its buildings since 2024. These projects benefited their fire department, police department, ambulance building, public works building, transfer station office, and town offices. The Town of Winthrop has two additional efficiency projects underway; a lighting project in the transfer station and a heating and cooling project in the recreation center. 

“It’s hard to imagine the Town of Winthrop having the financial wherewithal to invest in energy-efficient heat pumps and lighting without its partnership with Efficiency Maine,” said Anthony Wilson, town manager of Winthrop. “There are always worthy and competing interests within a municipal budget. Leveraging the incentives that Efficiency Maine offers helps municipal managers and elected officials realize the value of investing in energy-efficient infrastructure. We’re proud to contribute to the resiliency of our community and state and we greatly appreciate our partnership with the dedicated team at Efficiency Maine.” 

“The Town of Winthrop is leading by example by installing new and efficient equipment throughout their public buildings,” said Stoddard. “These projects not only improve the inside environment and comfort of the town’s buildings for all who work in and visit them, they illustrate that the town is committed to saving taxpayer money.”

About Efficiency Maine Trust

The Efficiency Maine Trust (Efficiency Maine) is the independent, quasi-state agency established to plan and implement energy efficiency programs in Maine. Through its suite of nationally recognized programs, Efficiency Maine provides consumer information, marketing support, demonstration pilots, discounts, rebates, loans, and other initiatives to promote high-efficiency equipment and operations that help Maine’s homes, businesses, and institutions reduce their energy costs and lower their greenhouse gas emissions. The result is job growth, better grid reliability, improved energy independence, a stronger local economy, and critical progress toward meeting the State’s climate change goals. Efficiency Maine is governed by a Board of Trustees with oversight from the Maine Public Utilities Commission. Visit www.efficiencymaine.com for more information.

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Contact:
Kate Rankin, Director of Communications
Efficiency Maine Trust
207-512-5905
Kate.rankin@efficiencymaine.com