Dave’s World honored by Efficiency Maine
FREEPORT — On Sept. 17 Efficiency Maine recognized contractors, vendors and distributors that have made outstanding contributions to support energy upgrades in Maine homes and businesses. These market-leading contractors sell, install and service high-efficiency lighting, insulation, heating and cooling systems, refrigeration equipment, electric vehicles, batteries and other upgrades offered through the quasi-state agency’s programs. The event took place at the Harraseeket Inn.
Dave’s World, which is a location in Dover-Foxcroft and elsewhere in the state, was among the honorees recognized for outstanding contributions in the category of Residential Programs in Fiscal Year 2026.
More than 130 electricians, plumbers, heating system installers, insulation technicians, distributors, manufacturers, business owners, electric vehicle dealers, battery distributors and other stakeholders, gathered for the recognition and to hear Efficiency Maine’s program results from last year and its plans for the year ahead.
In her keynote remarks, Maine Public Advocate Heather Sanborn acknowledged the role that Efficiency Maine programs and its contractors, vendors and distributors have played in supporting the state’s affordability objectives, noting that the next set of challenges for Maine will require new approaches, including an increased focus on energy storage solutions.
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 Electric Vehicle program is supported by 92 participating car dealerships throughout the state, three of which also were recognized as the top sellers of all-electric vehicles.
Efficiency Maine presented 27 awards. Contractors, vendors and dealerships were recognized for outstanding performance in selling and servicing energy-efficiency measures using financial incentives offered by the statewide energy efficiency administrator. In a new category, a battery distributor was recognized for helping to promote whole-home batteries in Maine. 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.
“As troubles abroad constrain the supply of imported oil and gasoline, Maine faces an ‘all-hands-on-deck’ moment,” Michael Stoddard, executive director of Efficiency Maine, said. “Today we celebrate the vendors and contractors of Maine who are helping to meet that moment by insulating homes and upgrading heating systems to soften the impact of high-priced imported fuels.”
“In this era when everyone is laser-focused on affordability, Efficiency Maine’s mission is more important than ever,” Sanborn said. “As technology evolves and electric load growth arrives, the next generation of programs will become more dynamic and grid responsive, shaping when and where we use electricity.”
The Efficiency Maine Trust (Efficiency Maine) is the independent, quasi-state agency established to plan and implement programs that promote energy efficiency, beneficial electrification, and grid flexibility 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. The result is lower energy costs, job growth, better grid reliability, improved energy independence, a stronger local economy and 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.