Augusta, Maine – December 4, 2023 – Efficiency Maine today announced it has added two instructional videos to the resources that support its initiative to loan out electricity monitors through participating libraries. The aim of the videos is to help consumers learn how to monitor and measure their electricity usage with the goal of reducing their electricity bill. Maine residents can now access the updated electricity monitor webpage, which features these new items, as well as includes updated monitor instruction sheets.   The initiative is a part of the quasi-state agency’s growing ..read more

Mainers are a frugal lot and always on the lookout for ways to better manage and reduce household expenses. Efficiency Maine is happy to help by offering tips and tools for managing electricity consumption and costs. For instance, one easy, do-it-yourself resource homeowners and tenants can use is an electricity monitor. To help make this handy resource more convenient and easier to use, Efficiency Maine has recently produced two new instructional videos that can be found on our website. Electricity monitors enable residents to monitor and measure their electricity consumption by showing how m ..read more

Augusta, Maine – September 14, 2023 – Efficiency Maine today recognized top-performing contractors that sell, install, and service high-efficiency lighting, heating and cooling systems, refrigeration equipment, electric vehicles (EVs), insulation, and other upgrades that are promoted through the quasi-state agency’s programs. Efficiency Maine also honored the Industrial Energy Consumer Group (IECG) with its Philip C. Hastings Award, which recognizes extraordinary commitment to energy efficiency in Maine. The event took place at the Hilton Garden Inn Freeport, Maine. More than 280 electricians ..read more

Quasi-state Agency Signs Capital Providers and Moves Forward with Finance Initiative to Facilitate Energy Efficiency and Clean Energy Improvements in Commercial Properties Augusta, Maine – August 24, 2023 – The Efficiency Maine Green Bank today congratulated the Town of Cumberland, the City of Augusta, and the City of Westbrook for being the first municipalities in the state to adopt an ordinance authorizing the use of Commercial Property Assessed Clean Energy (C-PACE) loans in their communities. The ordinance was passed in Cumberland on July 10, in Augusta on July 20, and in Westbrook on Augu ..read more

Augusta, Maine – August 1, 2023 – Recharge Maine, the State’s initiative to develop a statewide network of public, high-speed EV chargers, today announced planned awards of more than $6 million in National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (NEVI) Program funds authorized by the federal Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL). The planned awards will be used to support development of new chargers at seven sites in locations, such as grocery stores, shopping malls, and gas stations, spanning Bangor, Augusta, and the stretch of U.S. Route 1 between Ellsworth and Freeport.  Planned awards, and the ..read more

Augusta, Maine – April 12, 2022 – Bangor officials and businesses joined state agencies today to celebrate continued progress in building out strategic segments of Maine’s electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure. Specifically, they announced two new DC fast charging stations now open to the public in Bangor and Newport, and new solicitations to increase availability of high-speed EV chargers in Aroostook County, Washington County, the Mid-Coast area, and in Augusta and Bangor. These new facilities will be open to the public and have the capacity to serve all brands of EVs, building out M ..read more

Efficiency Maine has added two new guidebooks to its growing library of electric vehicle (EV) resources. “How to Charge Your Electric Vehicle at Home and Away” and “Installing Level 2 Electric Vehicle Chargers for Commercial and Public Properties” complement an existing guidebook titled “How to Select and Install a Home Electric Vehicle Charger.” These resources help residents and business owners become more familiar with electric vehicles, electric vehicle chargers and charging, and the Efficiency Maine EV rebate process. Digital copies of these guidebooks are available at EfficiencyMaine.com ..read more

Winter is finally in full swing in Maine, which means it’s time to think about how cold temperatures might affect your comfort in your electric vehicle (EV), as well as its performance on the road.  To keep warm in your EV this winter, we recommend using your vehicle’s heated seats and/or heated steering wheel, if applicable, rather than heating the cabin. According to an American Automobile Association (AAA) study, the average winter EV driving range could decrease by as much as 41% when the heater is turned on.* Alternatively, winter range could fall by only 12% in 20° F when the car’s ..read more

Tens of thousands of Mainers own heat pump water heaters. They’re popular because they produce lots of hot water, dehumidify, and can save more than $5,000 over their 10-year life.* Efficiency Maine offers a $950 incentive on heat pump water heaters for Mainers of any income and a free heat pump water heater, including installation, to eligible low-income Mainers.** By using Efficiency Maine’s $950 instant discount, homeowners can pay as little as $449 for a heat pump water heater. Homeowners across the state are upgrading to heat pump water heaters for their comfort and energy savings. Accord ..read more

Drivers in Maine and around the world are making the switch to electric vehicles. Electric vehicles, or EVs, are fun to drive, cheaper to operate, and cleaner for the environment. Efficiency Maine offers rebates to make the switch to an electric vehicle even easier. If you’re interested in buying an EV, we’d like to share some useful information about owning and driving them. Over the last few months, we’ve covered a variety of EV topics that we hope will help Mainers across the state feel confident and excited about switching to an EV. Today’s topic: how do EVs work in cold weather? There are ..read more