Efficiency Maine Commercial and Industrial Programs

Cut Energy Costs with Maine's Efficiency Incentives

Maine businesses, municipalities, schools, and nonprofits have access to meaningful financial incentives for energy efficiency upgrades through Efficiency Maine's Commercial and Industrial Prescriptive Initiatives. To access those incentives, you need to work with an Efficiency Maine Qualified Partner.

Cx Associates is a certified Efficiency Maine Qualified Partner with building commissioning and energy consulting experience across Maine and New England since 1994. We help commercial and institutional clients identify the right efficiency measures, navigate the incentive process, and get projects across the finish line.

Efficiency Maine Commercial Incentives At a Glance

Who it's for

Maine businesses, nonprofits, municipalities, schools, multifamily buildings (3+ units), and industrial facilities

Program Type

Commercial and Industrial Prescriptive Initiatives (CIPI)

Custom Projects

The C&I Custom Program covers site-specific projects not addressed by prescriptive incentives, with awards from $10,000 to $1 million

How it Works

Work with a Qualified Partner to select and install eligible equipment; incentives applied at project completion

How Cx Associates Can Help

We evaluate your building to help you identified the best ways to improve its efficiency and assist in applying for incentives

Qualified Partner Requirement

Customers must work with a Qualified Partner to be eligible for incentives

Payment Options

Incentive check to customer, or deducted directly from project invoice

Financing Available

Small Business Energy Loans and Commercial C-PACE financing through Efficiency Maine

Community Resilience Partnership

Grants and technical assistance to eligible Maine communities

What is the Efficiency Maine Qualified Partner Program?

Efficiency Maine offers financial incentives to Maine businesses, nonprofits, municipalities, schools, multifamily buildings, and other non-residential property owners to upgrade to energy-efficient technologies. A Qualified Partner is a contractor, installer, engineering firm, or energy manager  trained in Efficiency Maine programs and incentives who can assist in completing a project and securing financial incentives.

Working with a Qualified Partner is not optional — certain prescriptive incentives must be implemented by an Efficiency Maine Qualified Partner to be eligible. Cx Associates is trained and certified across multiple solution categories, giving clients a single point of contact for both the engineering work and the incentive process.

For larger or more complex projects, the Commercial and Industrial Custom Program targets cost-effective, site-specific energy efficiency projects that require tailored engineering analyses. Awards range from a minimum of $10,000 to a maximum of $1 million per customer per year, or up to 50% of the total project cost. Customers may also be eligible for free scoping audits and technical assistance incentives.

Our Efficiency Maine Services

Cx Associates serves commercial and institutional clients across Maine and New England, including office buildings, schools and universities, healthcare facilities, municipalities, manufacturers, and multifamily housing owners. If your facility is served by Central Maine Power or Versant Power, you are eligible for Efficiency Maine commercial incentives.

Cx Associates is able to deliver Efficiency Maine incentives including:

HVAC and VAC Electric Solutions

Heat pump systems, variable refrigerant flow (VRF) systems, heat pump rooftop units, energy recovery ventilators, and other heating and cooling upgrades. HVAC improvements are among the highest-impact measures available through the Efficiency Maine commercial programs, with incentives for both small business and large commercial installations.

Energy Audits

A commercial energy audit is often the right starting point — identifying where your building is losing energy and which measures offer the best return. As a certified auditor and energy engineering firm, Cx Associates provides the analysis to prioritize projects, inform incentive applications, and support the C&I Custom Program process for larger investments.

Refrigeration Solutions

Incentives for commercial refrigeration equipment upgrades, including case controls, ECM fan motors, and system efficiency improvements. Particularly relevant for grocery, convenience, food service, and cold storage facilities.

Lighting Solutions

LED lighting upgrades for commercial interiors, exterior, and site lighting, with prescriptive incentives available for qualifying installations.

Compressed Air Solutions

Compressed air system assessments and efficiency upgrades for manufacturing and industrial facilities, including leak detection, controls, and system rightsizing.

Agricultural Solutions

Energy efficiency measures for Maine farms and agricultural operations, including lighting, refrigeration, ventilation, and motors.

Batteries and Energy Storage

Battery storage solutions for commercial customers, including demand management and backup power applications.

Heat Pump Water Heaters

Commercial water heating upgrades using heat pump technology, with incentives available for qualifying installations.

Multifamily Weatherization

Weatherization services for multifamily buildings with three or more units, including insulation, air sealing, and building envelope improvements.

How the Process Works

Cx Associates Capabilities

Energy Audits

Design Review

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Retrocommissioning

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Decarbonization

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Incentive Navigation

Scope of Work Development

Implementation Support

Troubleshooting

Frequently asked questions