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Multifamily Weatherization Solutions

Insulation is an important component of the thermal envelope of buildings across Maine. Adding insulation to a multifamily building can lower heating and cooling costs, increase year-round comfort, and reduce outside noise for tenants and landlords. Efficiency Maine’s Commercial and Industrial Initiative offers incentives for attic and basement insulation solutions in multifamily buildings that have 5 or more units (a unit is defined as a residential living area that includes one or more bedrooms, a bathroom, kitchen and living room). 

Click here for more information on incentives for multifamily weatherization efficiency solutions.

Solutions

Attic and Basement Insulation

  • Projects must be installed in a multifamily building that has 5 or more apartment units. Condominiums and mixed use buildings are not eligible. Cannot be part of a new construction or major renovation project. Project cost includes materials and labor for insulation (eligible measures only) and air sealing activities (per installer’s invoice to customer).
  • Click here for a copy of the Multifamily Weatherization Project Application. 
  • (Click below for details)

Attic Insulation

  • Attic must be air sealed prior to or as part of insulating the attic. This includes any penetrations between the attic and the floor below.
  • Attic must be insulated to one of the following levels:
    1. Open attic insulated to at least R49
    2. Enclosed cavities filled to capacity with dense-pack insulation
    3. A minimum of 5” of closed-cell spray foam
    4. Closed-cell spray foam applied to within 1.5” of the surface of cavities that were subsequently enclosed
  • Batt insulation not eligible for rebates
  • All exhaust fans must be ducted outside the building
  • Code-approved fire protection must be added to foam insulation when applicable

Basement Insulation

  • Defined as basement, crawlspace or other unconditioned space directly below a conditioned living area.
  • Basement must be air sealed prior to or as part of insulating the basement. This includes all penetrations between the basement and the first floor.
  • Upgraded by insulating:
    1. Basement or crawlspace ceiling with either dense-pack insulation or minimum 2” of foam
    2. Sill plate and rim joist areas with minimum 2” rigid or closed-cell spray foam.
  • Batt insulation not eligible for rebates
  • Code-approved fire protection was added to foam insulation when applicable

Air Sealing

  • There are several reasons to air seal a multifamily building BEFORE adding insulation. Foremost among these is to control heat loss and gain through the building envelope to save energy and improve comfort by eliminating drafts and temperature swings.  Other reasons to air seal include preventing moisture problems that may result when uncontrolled air leaks introduce humid air into building cavities, minimizing air movement between apartments and other spaces including crawlspaces, improve indoor air quality and to reduce thermal loads that can be served by smaller capacity heating and cooling systems.

Project Application Process

A multifamily weatherization project will need to complete the Multifamily Weatherization Project Application below. This application has inputs for customer information, weatherization details, and insulation and air sealing costs. Applications can be submitted to CIP@efficiencymaine.com. All projects must be installed by an Efficiency Maine Qualified Partner. 

  • Click here for the Multifamily Weatherization Project Application

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. 

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 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.