Initiative for Electrification in New Affordable Multifamily Housing

The Initiative for Electrification in New Affordable Multifamily Housing is funded through the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) and offers rebates for qualifying efficient HVAC heat pump systems in new construction of multifamily buildings that will serve low-income households. This initiative is being launched under a Funding Opportunity Notice (FON or “opportunity”) administered by Efficiency Maine’s Commercial and Industrial Prescriptive Initiatives (CIPI). Interested participants can find more information about this program and instructions on how to apply in the FON document posted below under Program Documents.

Eligible Participants:

Owners of multifamily buildings that are planned to be built within which at least 50% of the dwelling units will be reserved for low-income households, designated as:

Public Housing (housing owned and operated by Public Housing Authorities),
Privately owned multifamily buildings receiving project-based assistance (Section 8, Section 202, Section 811),
Privately-owned multifamily buildings that house residents receiving tenant-based assistance, OR
Section 42 Low Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC)

Eligible Buildings:

Single multifamily buildings with 18 or more dwelling units
Campuses of multifamily buildings with 18 or more total dwelling units, where each individual building has at least six (6) dwelling units

Eligible Equipment:

Mini-split heat pumps
Variable refrigerant flow (VRF) systems
Heat pump rooftop units (RTUs)
Single package heat pumps (with through-the-wall outdoor air ducting)

Steps to Participate in the Initiative

Review the Funding Opportunity Notice.
Submit Application A: Intent to Enroll via the form below. (This includes basic contact/building info and anticipated equipment types.)
Develop a project scope and select a qualifying installer. Then the participant (or their installer) submits Application B: Project Design and Installation to Efficiency Maine. (This application includes specific information on HVAC system design, equipment, and configuration, along with other required eligibility documentation.)
Efficiency Maine reviews Application B and, if compliant, issues an Incentive Agreement (i.e., contract). Participant signs the Incentive Agreement to secure a rebate reservation.
After project is installed and commissioned, participant (or their installer) submits all required post-completion documentation to Efficiency Maine.
Efficiency Maine reviews all post-completion documentation and performs an on-site inspection.
Efficiency Maine issues project rebate.

Informational Webinars:

Wednesday, October 16, 2024 at 9:00 AM
Tuesday, October 22, 2024 at 1:00 PM
Wednesday, November 6, 2024 at 3:00 PM

Program Documents

Funding Opportunity Notice: Initiative for Electrification in New Affordable Multifamily Housing (.pdf) (Revised 5/1/2026)
Application A: Intent to Enroll – use form below
Application B: Project Design and Installation (.pdf)
Incentive Agreement Template (.pdf) (Revised 9/29/2025)
Qualified Partner Agreement Addendum (.pdf)
Project Invoice Template (.docx)

Application A: Intent to Enroll

Please complete this form if you’re in development of a project eligible under the Initiative for Electrification in New Affordable Multifamily Housing.

Participant Information

Housing Category(Required)

Public Housing (housing owned and operated by Public Housing Authorities)

Privately owned multifamily buildings receiving project-based assistance (Section 8, Section 202, Section 811)

Privately-owned multifamily buildings that house residents receiving tenant-based assistance

Section 42 Low Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC)

Restrictive Covenant Confirmation(Required)

Yes

Select button above to confirm that the applicant will have a restrictive covenant from Maine State Housing Authority or a municipality indicating that at least 50% of the building’s dwelling units will be preserved for low-income residents (<80% of county Area Median Income [AMI]).

Name of Building Owner or Housing Developer(Required)

Project Name(Required)

Name of Installation Contractor (Qualified Partner), if selected

Contact Person Name(Required)

First

Last

Contact Person Role(Required)

Building Owner

Housing Developer

Other

Business Mailing Address(Required)

Street Address

Address Line 2

City

ZIP Code

Email Address(Required)

Email Address

Confirm Email Address

Phone Number(Required)

Project Information

Project Design, Architectural, or Engineering Firm (if selected)

Address of the Proposed Project Site

Street Address

Address Line 2

City

State / Province / Region

ZIP / Postal Code

Country

Electric Utility Provider

Electric utility provider for the proposed project site.

HVAC System(s) Under Consideration(Required)

Please include the number of heat pump systems and system types, if determined. Equipment eligibility criteria can be found in the FON document. Eligible equipment includes:

Mini-split heat pumps
Variable refrigerant flow (VRF) systems
Heat pump rooftop units
Single package heat pumps (with through-the-wall outdoor air ducting)

*Electric resistance heating is only permitted in spaces that cannot be served by heat pumps (e.g., a bathroom, storage room, or closet).

Proposed Number of Dwelling Units

Proposed Number of Buildings

Campuses of multifamily buildings with 18 or more total dwelling units are eligible, where each individual building has at least six (6) dwelling units

Please Check