Small Business (review 12/21/2022)
Small businesses in Maine come in many shapes and sizes but most have energy saving opportunities. Many could benefit from upgrading to high-efficiency lights or updating their heating and cooling system.
Businesses that have an electric account labeled “Small General Service” (SGS), “General Service” (GS), or “Medium General Service” (MGS) with an average monthly electrical demand under 50kW may be eligible for enhanced incentives on lighting and heat pump retrofit installations. Not sure if you’re eligible for these enhanced incentives? Click here for bill examples or click here to check your eligibility with our team.
Lighting
High-efficiency lighting can cut energy costs and improve ambiance
Many small businesses in Maine have outdated, inefficient lighting. Upgrading to high-efficiency lighting can reduce energy costs and enhance the customer and employee experience. Efficiency Maine offers a variety of lighting incentives:
- Exterior Lighting
- Interior Lighting
- Screw-in LEDs
- Lighting Controls
Heating, Cooling, and Ventilation
Small businesses can reduce energy costs by upgrading to energy efficient heating and cooling systems, or by adding controls to existing systems.
Ductless Heat Pumps. Ductless heat pumps offer room-by-room control of heating and cooling. Many Maine businesses are choosing ductless heat pumps as an efficient and quiet way to meet heating and cooling needs. Click here for our heat pump user tips.
“We have been very happy with the heat pumps we installed; the entire restaurant was kept warm all winter and they are completely silent! They were the perfect choice.”
– David Poulin
Owner of Fat Cat’s Cafe, Augusta
Efficiency Maine also offers rebates on other high-efficiency heating and cooling equipment and controls:
- Furnaces and Boilers
- Variable Refrigerant Flow Systems
- Furnace and Boiler Controls
Water Heating
Small businesses may reduce water heating costs by upgrading to high-efficiency water heating systems and choosing a system that meets the needs of specific spaces.
Efficiency Maine offers incentives for:
- Heat Pump Water Heaters
Eligibility
| Lighting | Heat Pumps | |
| Eligibility | For Small General Service (SGS)/Rate Code B-1/B-2/C and Medium General Service/Rate Code M-2 rate class business customers that have an average monthly electrical demand under 50kW. | For Small General Service (SGS)/Rate Code B-1/B-2/C and Medium General Service/Rate Code M-2 rate class business customers that have an average monthly electrical demand under 50kW. |
| Incentive | Up to 90% of the total measure cost. Taxes and ancillary costs are not included in total measure cost. | $1,600 per single-zone heat pump system (per unit) with an HSPF of 12.5 and maximum incentive of $4,800. |
Other Opportunities:
- Restaurants may benefit from upgrading cooking and commercial refrigeration equipment. Click here to review Efficiency Maine’s guidance for restaurants.
- Auto repair and other businesses may consider upgrading compressed air equipment. Click here to learn more about compressed air incentives.
- Efficiency Maine has sector-specific information that may be useful to your small business. Click on the links below to access more information for:
Additional Information
- EnergyStar.gov has energy management guidance for small businesses. Click here to learn more.
Get Started
Ready 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 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.