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Education

Infographic demonstrating energy-efficient electrical machines powering a school building.

According to the Alliance to Save Energy, school buildings are the third largest commercial building energy users, and nearly 30% of that energy is used inefficiently.* Optimizing energy use through upgraded energy solutions can help schools reduce energy costs, reduce maintenance requirements, improve productivity, and more. Read on for efficiency solutions for the education sector.

*Source: Alliance to Save Energy: ase.org/initiatives/education

Opportunities

Funding Opportunity Notice (FON) for School Buildings

Efficiency Maine is seeking applications for heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC)  projects in PreK-12 public schools that currently heat with oil or propane. Click here for more information.

Technical Assistance for School Decarbonization

Efficiency Maine’s School Decarbonization Technical Assistance program can provide a 50% cost share up to $20,000 for studies that involve beneficial electrification or other complex projects designed to lower emissions. Efficiency Maine also offers a 50% cost share for legal services to arrange solar PV power purchase agreements (PPAs) or net energy billing (NEB) agreements for schools willing to retain and retire the associated renewable energy credits (RECs). To review the School Decarbonization Technical Assistance guidelines and apply for an incentive, click here. 

Solutions

Heating, Ventilation, and Air-Conditioning (HVAC)

  • Schools can save money and increase equipment reliability by making energy-efficient choices when installing or replacing heating, cooling or ventilation (HVAC) equipment. Efficiency Maine offers incentives for:

    HVAC Solutions

    • Ductless Heat Pumps
    • Variable Refrigerant Flow (VRF) Systems
    • Heat Pump Rooftop Units (RTUs)
    • Energy Recovery Ventilators (ERVs)
    • And more

    Click here to learn more. 

Lighting 

  • Proper lighting is a necessity in schools to maintain a productive and safe environment but it can be a significant operating cost. High-efficiency fixtures and lighting controls can enhance aesthetics while decreasing cost. Efficiency Maine offers incentives for interior and exterior high-efficiency lighting solutions including:

    Lighting Solutions

    • LED Retrofit Kits
    • New LED Fixtures
    • Exterior Lighting
    • And more

    Click here to learn more.

Refrigeration

  • Schools can save energy and money with incentives provided for refrigeration controls and the purchase of new energy-efficient equipment and retrofits for existing equipment.

    Refrigeration Solutions

    • Scroll Compressors
    • High-Efficiency Evaporator Fan Motors
    • Strip Curtain for Cooler or Freezer
    • Door Heater Controls for Cooler or Freezer
    • Evaporator Fan Motor Controls
    • Floating Head Pressure Controls
    • And more

    Click here to learn more.

    Water Heating

    • Schools can reduce water heating costs by upgrading to high-efficiency water heating systems and choosing a system that meets each schools’ needs.
      Click here to learn more. 

    Case Studies

    Click on the link below to view a case study and learn more about previous school projects.

    • Fryeburg Academy – VRF System

    Get Started

    Find a Qualified PartnerReady to upgrade your facility with high-efficiency equipment and appliances? Work with an Efficiency Maine Qualified Partner in order to be eligible for these incentives. See our Qualified Partner video for more information on this process.

    Click here to find a Qualified Partner working near you. If you work with a contractor that is not yet a Qualified Partner, urge your contractor to find out more information here. As part of the project approval process, you will accept the C&I Prescriptive Program’s Terms and Conditions. If you’re interested in becoming a Qualified Partner, click here to see our Become A Qualified Partner page.

    If you’re interested in getting started with an energy efficiency project in your business but don’t know where to start, you can sign-up for a virtual customer consultation here.

    Additional Information

    Don’t see your energy solution listed above? Efficiency Maine offers incentives for custom energy solutions. Click here for more information on the Custom Program.

    At Work

    • Commercial and Industrial Prescriptive Initiatives
    • Commercial and Industrial (C&I) Custom Program
    • Discounted Screw-In LEDs
    • Electric Vehicles and Charging Solutions
    • Find a Qualified Partner
    • Virtual Customer Consultations

    Learn More

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