Maine Schools Save Energy, Lower Costs, and Improve Comfort with New VRF Systems

Schools across Maine are transitioning to electric heating and cooling. Upgrading to energy-efficient systems can lower operating costs, enhance comfort for students and staff, and improve equipment reliability. Efficiency Maine offers financial incentives for technologies like heat pumps, variable refrigerant flow (VRF) systems, energy recovery ventilators (ERVs), and heat pump rooftop units (RTUs).

This blog highlights two Maine schools that have successfully upgraded to VRF systems — efficient, versatile, and reliable heating and cooling solutions designed for medium to large commercial and public buildings. Many organizations across the state are benefiting from energy savings and improved comfort as they replace fossil fuel systems with VRF technology.

Hussey Elementary School in Berwick recently installed five VRF units, completing its transition to electric heating and cooling. Supported by over $350,000 in incentives from Efficiency Maine, the project has proven cost-effective. 

“The new technology is perfect,” said Kevin M., facilities director at Hussey Elementary. “The VRFs are so easy to use and so much more up to date compared to the old technology. It was an easy winter; we didn’t have one problem. Efficiency Maine has been great to work with; any questions I had were answered. It’s the best of both worlds. We now have great equipment thanks to great incentives.”

Perry Elementary School in Eastport has also benefited from VRF systems, installing four units to boost energy efficiency and comfort for students and staff. With over $70,000 in incentives from Efficiency Maine, the transition was both smooth and financially manageable. 

“The VRF systems have been a life-saver in our classrooms,” said Penny J., principal at Perry Elementary. “Our experience with Efficiency Maine was great; it was a very easy process. The incentives were taken off the total cost, so we didn’t have to allocate that money up front, which really eased the school budget.” 

VRF systems offer heat recovery options, allowing simultaneous heating and cooling by utilizing excess hot or cool air from different areas of the building. Schools are ideal candidates for VRF technology, as they can efficiently transfer heat from spaces like computer server rooms to classrooms, enhancing energy savings and reducing costs.

If you’re considering an upgrade to more efficient technology but aren’t sure which option is best for your school, sign up for a free, no-obligation virtual consultation with Efficiency Maine. Fill out this form on our website to submit your request.