Maine — Did you know that you could get up to $3,000 in rebates for approved energy efficiency projects, regardless of income, thanks to incentive programs offered by our state energy efficiency agency, Efficiency Maine?

It all starts with a home energy audit by a Participating Energy Advisor: you'll get an accurate accounting of your energy usage and a fully priced road-map to savings you could realize out of your home. Homeowners and landlords of all income levels are eligible for single family homes and one-to-four unit structures (up to three stories), although it is recommended that Low-income homeowners should contact their local Community Action Program (CAP) agency for weatherization assistance programs and services as there can be some upfront investment in efficiency retrofits and upgrades in order to achieve the efficiencies that will pay off year after year. The following efficiency improvements are eligible for the rebate program: insulation, sealing air leaks, high-efficiency heating systems, solar heating systems, and the installation of ENERGY STAR® windows and doors.

There are some simple requirements for the program, namely: home energy audits must be performed by a Participating Energy Advisor, air sealing and insulation must be included if recommended by the audit, efficiency improvements must save at least 25% on space and/or hot water heating, and pre-approval is required.

So how much can you see in immediate rebates, not including lifetime savings brought about by any improvements? If you take the home energy audit steps necessary to save at least 25% on heating and hot water, you could receive an incentive check for 30% of your completed project cost, up to a maximum of $1,500. Achieve 50% or greater savings and you could receive a check for up to 50% of your completed project cost, up to a maximum of $3,000.

As for savings, if you are spending more than $1 per square foot per year on fuel your home could be a good candidate for this program. By improving your energy efficiency, you'll be well positioned if fuel prices start to rise again. If you own a single family home and spend around $3,000 a year on heating oil, an energy retrofit that delivers 25% energy savings can save you $750 a year in fuel costs alone. Plus you'll realize immediate savings in the first year, even with the cost of any work, due to the combination of fuel savings, rebates, and tax credits.

On top of the rebates for 25 to 50% energy savings, there are also additional incentive funds in the form of the Efficiency Maine $1,000 summer special rebate: all told, between the efficiency rebate, federal tax credit, and Efficiency Maine Summer Special you could see up to $5,500 come back to you while you save energy and money in your home! Homeowners simply need to sign up by August 31, 2010 and submit an incentive application by September 30, 2010 to be eligible; projects then need to be completed by December 31, 2010.

To find out more contact Efficiency Maine by calling 866-376-2463 or by email efficiencymaine@efficiencymaine.com . You can also lean more online at www.efficiencymaine.com/at-home/hesp_program The Home Energy Savings Program is funded by a stimulus grant from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA).

(Thanks to Efficiency Maine for the information!)