Heating Solutions
Businesses can save money, increase equipment reliability, and create more comfortable and productive workplaces by making energy-efficient choices when installing, renovating, or replacing heating equipment. Incentives are currently available for:
- Central heating systems (including high-efficiency boilers and furnaces);
- Supplemental or space heating systems (including heat pumps and heaters); and
- Controls (including programmable thermostats).
Systems can be fueled by natural gas, oil, and propane and can include ductless heat pumps and variable refrigerant flow systems.
Funding in the Summit Natural Gas territory is now fully invested for the current program year. Efficiency Maine incentives are not currently be available for natural gas projects where Summit Natural Gas is the service provider.
Scroll down to learn more about eligible high-efficiency systems and controls:
Central Heating Systems
High-Efficiency Boilers and Furnaces
Many businesses are heated with either a boiler or furnace. Energy-efficient models are available for all heating fuels. If you’re thinking about replacing your system, consider a new high-efficiency boiler or furnace. Click here for a full list of incentivized boilers and furnaces.
Some high-efficiency models are already discounted at participating Maine distributors for installation at Maine businesses — with no contractor paperwork required. Click here for a list of participating distributors.
Variable Refrigerant Flow Systems
Variable refrigerant flow systems can simultaneously heat and cool different parts of the building. These systems can be very efficient because they can take waste heat captured in one part of the building (e.g., a server room, or the face of the building exposed to the sun) and deliver it to spaces requiring heat. Because they rely on a different distribution network than is present in most existing buildings, variable refrigerant flow systems are most often installed in new buildings or as part of large renovation projects. Click here for more details on incentives for variable refrigerant flow systems. You can read more about variable refrigerant flow systems as a cooling solution here.
Supplemental or Space Heating Systems
Businesses may be able to offset the load of their primary heating system or meet additional heating needs with a high-efficiency supplemental heating system including ductless mini-split heat pumps, infrared heaters, and warm-air heaters.
Ductless Mini-Split Heat Pumps
Mini-split heat pump units are highly efficient systems that can save energy and reduce heating and cooling costs. Units must meet the minimum HSPF (Heating Season Performance Factor) requirements in order to qualify for incentives from Efficiency Maine. You can also read more about ductless mini-split heat pumps and available incentives here.
Infrared heaters
Infrared heaters warm spaces by providing radiant heat similar to the sun’s rays. They can maintain ambient temperatures with minimal heat loss even when large volumes of cold air are introduced. There heats can be a good solution for maintenance garages, firehouses, loading docks, and warehouses. Look for low-intensity systems in order to qualify for Efficiency Maine incentives. Click here for more information.
Warm-air heaters
Warm-air heaters are generally used where heat distribution is localized to a single specific area. Warm-air heaters work like large furnace systems but without the duct work. They are most frequently installed overhead in warehouses and garages. High-efficiency, warm-air heaters fueled by natural gas or propane are eligible for incentives. Look for systems with a thermal efficiency of 93% or higher. Click here for more information.
Heating Controls
Businesses can improve heating system efficiency by adding controls to existing systems. Efficiency Maine incentivizes burner controls, boiler economizers, boiler resets, oxygen-trim controls, programmable thermostats, and more. Click here to learn more about incentives for heating controls.
Get Started
Work with an Efficiency Maine Qualified Partner to install high-efficiency heating solutions. Click here to find a Qualified Partner working near you. As part of the project approval process, you will accept the C&I Prescriptive Program’s Terms and Conditions.
If you work with a contractor that is not yet a Qualified Partner, urge your contractor to find out more information here.
Click here for some heating system buying tips.