Efficiency Maine honors Dave’s World
FREEPORT — Efficiency Maine recently recognized contractors and vendors who have made outstanding contributions to inspire Maine homeowners and businesses to invest in energy efficiency.
Their activities include selling, installing, and servicing high-efficiency lighting, insulation, heating and cooling systems, refrigeration equipment, electric vehicles and other upgrades that are promoted through the quasi-state agency’s programs. Efficiency Maine also honored the Town of Winthrop with its Philip C. Hastings Award for significant contributions to Maine’s economy and environment through exemplary efforts in the field of energy efficiency. The event took place at the Harraseeket Inn in Freeport.
For outstanding contributions in the category of Residential Programs in 2025, the Trust recognized Dave’s World, Inc., which has multiple locations including in Dover-Foxcroft.
More than 160 electricians, plumbers, heating system installers, insulation technicians, distributors, manufacturers, business owners, electric vehicle dealers and other stakeholders, gathered for the recognition and to review results from Efficiency Maine’s programs last year and plans for the year ahead.
“Beneficial electrification,” which is achieved when consumers reduce their energy bills by switching from fossil fuels to high-efficiency electric alternatives, such as heat pumps, was a featured topic. In his keynote address, Patrick Woodcock, president and CEO of the Maine State Chamber of Commerce, also commended Maine’s business community for successfully promoting energy efficiency to Maine’s homes and businesses and helping them to lower their energy costs.
Independent contractors play a critical role in assisting Maine consumers to install energy upgrades. With the help of Efficiency Maine’s rebates and educational materials, home energy upgrades are delivered by Residential Registered Vendors while energy improvements at commercial and industrial facilities are provided by Efficiency Maine’s Qualified Partners. Efficiency Maine’s EV program is supported by 85 participating car dealerships throughout the state, three of which also were recognized as the top sellers of battery electric vehicles and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles.
Efficiency Maine presented 27 contractors, vendors and dealerships with awards for outstanding performance in selling and servicing energy-efficiency measures using financial incentives offered by the statewide energy efficiency administrator. These companies are among the more than 800 trade allies listed on the organization’s website that meet Efficiency Maine’s requirements to access available incentives.
“Last year Maine’s vendors and contractors blew away every previous record for the number of heat pumps installed,” said Michael Stoddard, executive director of Efficiency Maine. “More than 11,700 homes received new heat pumps that now serve as their primary heating system, while an additional 7,600 heat pumps were installed in commercial buildings. We are making significant progress toward transitioning Maine’s heating and cooling market to high-efficiency heat pumps.”
“Maine has built a reputation as a national energy efficiency leader because of the hard work of hundreds of Maine businesses to implement innovative business models, integrate cutting-edge technology, and build a trained and durable workforce,” said Woodcock. “I applaud Efficiency Maine Trust for their continued efforts to manage statewide programs that lower energy costs and for recognizing the incredible accomplishments of Maine energy businesses in delivering energy solutions for Maine households and businesses.”
The Efficiency Maine Trust (Efficiency Maine) is the independent, quasi-state agency established to plan and implement energy efficiency programs in Maine. Through its suite of nationally recognized programs, Efficiency Maine provides consumer information, marketing support, demonstration pilots, discounts, rebates, loans, and other initiatives to promote high-efficiency equipment and operations that help Maine’s homes, businesses, and institutions reduce their energy costs and lower their greenhouse gas emissions. The result is job growth, better grid reliability, improved energy independence, a stronger local economy, and critical progress toward meeting the State’s climate change goals. Efficiency Maine is governed by a Board of Trustees with oversight from the Maine Public Utilities Commission. Visit www.efficiencymaine.com for more information.