Efficiency Maine’s Commercial and Industrial Prescriptive Incentives program provides standardized funding for qualifying HVAC, ventilation, refrigeration, and LED lighting upgrades across commercial and multifamily facilities.

High-value 2026 Prescriptive Incentives currently available include:

• VRF Retrofit Systems: Up to $12.00 per sq. ft.
• Small Business VRF Retrofits: Up to $13.50 per sq. ft.
• Multifamily Mini-Split Heat Pumps: Up to $1,400 per outdoor unit
• Affordable Housing Heat Pumps: Up to $8,000 per dwelling unit
• Heat Pump RTUs: Up to $168 per MBH
• DOAS Ventilation Systems: Up to $19.50 per CFM
• Small Business LED Upgrades: Up to 65% of project cost

This program provides standardized financial incentives for businesses installing qualifying high-efficiency equipment. For commercial facilities and industrial operations, these prescriptive incentives are designed to reduce upfront project costs, improve energy performance, and accelerate ROI without increasing capital expenditure

Which Heat Pump Upgrades Qualify for Prescriptive Incentives?

Below are the available 2026 Prescriptive Incentives for qualifying heat pump and HVAC systems.

Commercial Mini-Split Heat Pump Prescriptive Incentives

Multifamily Mini-Split Heat Pump Prescriptive Incentives

How Do VRF Systems Earn Commercial and Industrial Prescriptive Incentives?

Variable Refrigerant Flow (VRF) systems represent one of the highest-value categories within the Efficiency Maine Commercial and Industrial Prescriptive Incentives program.

Retrofit VRF installations may qualify for:

• $8.00 per sq. ft. for single-phase systems
• $10.00 per sq. ft. without heat recovery
• $12.00 per sq. ft. with heat recovery

Small business retrofit VRF systems may qualify for Prescriptive Incentives up to $13.50 per sq. ft. depending on system configuration.

Linear Expansion Valve (LEV) Kits used in VRF integrations with air handling units may also qualify for Prescriptive Incentives of $0.30 per Btu.

What Ventilation Equipment Is Eligible for Prescriptive Incentives?

Ventilation system upgrades may qualify for Commercial and Industrial Prescriptive Incentives when they meet defined performance thresholds.

Heat pump rooftop units (RTUs) may qualify for:

• Up to $168 per MBH for retrofit projects
• Up to $125 per MBH for larger retrofit systems

Dedicated Outdoor Air Systems (DOAS) with sensible heat recovery ≥75% may qualify for:

• $15 per CFM for New Construction
• $19.50 per CFM for Retrofit installations

Energy Recovery Ventilator (ERV) systems may qualify for up to $2.50 per CFM depending on system efficiency levels.

What Additional HVAC Equipment Qualifies?

Other HVAC-related upgrades that may qualify under Efficiency Maine Commercial and Industrial Prescriptive Incentives include:

• ECM Circulator Pumps: $75 instant discount
• Variable-Frequency Drives (VFDs): $400–$2,300 per unit
• Multifamily attic and basement insulation: 50% of project cost up to $5,000

These Prescriptive Incentives may be combined across multiple measures for larger facility improvement projects.

Are Refrigeration and Compressed Air Upgrades Eligible?

Yes. Efficiency Maine Prescriptive Incentives are also available for refrigeration and compressed air system upgrades, including:

• Scroll Compressors: $220–$660
• Evaporator fan motors: $20–$100
• Floating head pressure controls: up to $500
• High-efficiency compressor systems: $80–$110
• Air compressor receivers: $180–$3,500
• Low-pressure drop filters: up to $200
• Air-entraining nozzles: $7 per nozzle

Agricultural equipment such as milk compressors, adjustable-speed vacuum pumps, and potato ventilation fans may also qualify for Commercial and Industrial Prescriptive Incentives.

How Do LED Lighting Upgrades Qualify for Prescriptive Incentives?

Interior and exterior LED lighting upgrades may qualify for Prescriptive Incentives of $0.26 per kWh of first-year energy savings, covering up to 50% of total project costs.

Small business LED lighting projects may qualify for Commercial and Industrial Prescriptive Incentives covering up to 65% of total measure costs for qualifying interior and exterior LED lighting upgrades.

Indoor horticultural LED lighting retrofit projects may qualify for $0.22 per kWh of first-year savings, capped at 50% of total project cost.

Which Water Heating Systems Qualify?

Heavy-duty commercial heat pump water heaters that meet ENERGY STAR performance criteria may qualify for:

• $1,800 per unit for 80-gallon systems
• $3,000 per unit for 120-gallon systems
• $3,000 per unit for qualifying split systems

These Prescriptive Incentives are currently available for hospitals, hotels, multifamily housing, long-term care facilities, and office buildings.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does SGS mean?

SGS stands for Small General Service, which is a commercial electric utility account classification used by Efficiency Maine to determine eligibility for enhanced Prescriptive Incentives.

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 100kW may be eligible for enhanced incentives on qualifying LED lighting, heat pump, and Variable Refrigerant Flow (VRF) installations.

What does MBH mean in HVAC Prescriptive Incentives?

MBH stands for one thousand British Thermal Units per hour (1,000 BTU/hr). Efficiency Maine uses MBH as a measurement of heating or cooling capacity when determining Prescriptive Incentives for equipment such as heat pump rooftop units (RTUs) and other HVAC systems.

What does CFM mean for ventilation equipment incentives?

CFM stands for Cubic Feet per Minute and measures airflow volume in ventilation systems. Efficiency Maine Commercial and Industrial Prescriptive Incentives for equipment such as Dedicated Outdoor Air Systems (DOAS) and Energy Recovery Ventilator (ERV) systems are often calculated based on CFM performance levels.

What is a DOAS system?

DOAS stands for Dedicated Outdoor Air System. This type of HVAC equipment is designed to provide conditioned outdoor ventilation air to improve indoor air quality and reduce building energy use. DOAS installations that meet defined sensible heat recovery thresholds may qualify for Prescriptive Incentives through Efficiency Maine.

Partnering to Maximize Incentive Recovery

The Efficiency Maine Commercial and Industrial Prescriptive Incentives program offers significant funding opportunities across HVAC, refrigeration, ventilation, and LED lighting upgrades. However, capturing the full value of available Prescriptive Incentives often requires detailed documentation, eligibility verification, and pre-approval management. Partnering with a rebate management expert like Incentive Rebate360 helps ensure that qualifying projects are properly scoped, submitted, and tracked to maximize total incentive recovery and improve ROI across commercial and industrial energy efficiency upgrades. To speak to one of our rebate recovery specialists, call 480-653-8180, email [email protected], or schedule a call that fits your needs by clicking the button below!