Home Energy Savings Program HOME COMFORT PAID FOR BY ENERGY SAVINGS Get up to $2,000* for pre-approved energy efficiency projects, regardless of income, with incentives from Efficiency Maine and federal tax credits. It all starts with a home energy audit by a Participating Energy Advisor.

This program is funded by a one-time grant from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. Learn if you're eligible, what you need to do, and how much you'll save. The link opens in a new window.   Home Energy Savings Program (Opens in a new window)



Federal Tax Credits for Energy Efficiency
UPDATED February 15, 2011

Tax Credits for Consumers:
Home Improvements Tax credits are now available for home improvements:
  • Tax Credit Amount: 10% of the cost, up to $500

  • Requirements

    Typical bulk insulation products can qualify, such as batts, rolls, blow-in fibers, rigid boards, expanding spray, and pour-in-place.

    Products that air seal (reduce air leaks) can also qualify, as long as they come with a Manufacturers Certification Statement, including:

    • Weather stripping
    • Spray foam in a can, designed to air seal
    • Caulk designed to air seal
    • House wrap
Tax Credit does NOT include installation costs.

Tax Credits for Home Builders:
  • Eligible contractors need to fill out IRS Form 8908 to get the tax credit. The IRS has provided the following guidance regarding the tax credits for constructing energy efficient new homes available under the Energy Policy Act of 2005:

  • IRS Notice 2006–27 provides guidance for the credit for building energy efficient homes other than manufactured homes.

  • IRS Notice 2006–28 provides guidance for the credit for building energy efficient manufactured homes.
Home builders are eligible for a $2,000 tax credit for a new energy efficient home that achieves 50% energy savings for heating and cooling over the 2004 International Energy Conservation Code (IECC) and supplements. At least 1/5 of the energy savings must come from building envelope improvements. This credit also applies to contractors of manufactured homes conforming to Federal Manufactured Home Construction and Safety Standards. Tax credits are now available for home improvements:

There is also a $1,000 tax credit to the producer of a new manufactured home achieving 30% energy savings for heating and cooling over the 2004 IECC and supplements (at least 1/3 of the savings must come from building envelope improvements), or a manufactured home meeting the requirements established by EPA under the ENERGY STAR program.

Please note that, with the exception of the tax credit for an ENERGY STAR qualified manufactured home, these tax credits are not directly linked to ENERGY STAR. Therefore, a builder of an ENERGY STAR qualified home may be eligible for a tax credit but it is not guaranteed.

These tax credits apply to new homes located in the United States whose construction is substantially completed after August 8, 2005 and that are acquired from the eligible contractor for use as a residence from January 1, 2006 through December 31, 2009.

Tax Deductions for Commercial Buildings:
A tax deduction of up to $1.80 per square foot is available to owners or designers of new or existing commercial buildings that save at least 50% of the heating and cooling energy of a building that meets ASHRAE Standard 90.1-2001. Partial deductions of up to $.60 per square foot can be taken for measures affecting any one of three building systems: the building envelope, lighting, or heating and cooling systems. These tax deductions are available for systems "placed in service" from January 1, 2006 through December 31, 2013.

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