MaineHousing is leading the way to a greener Maine by investing in more energy efficient, environmentally friendly housing that is less expensive to operate and maintain.

Green Building Standards
MaineHousing is the first state housing finance agency in the country to adopt Green Building Standards for rental housing developments that the agency finances. By requiring the use of energy efficient, durable, sustainable, or locally produced products, the housing is better for the environment, healthier for the occupants, and more affordable to operate and maintain. A modified version of the standards also applies to new single-family homes built with financing help from MaineHousing’s Affordable Subdivision Program.
	Estimated savings: reduces energy costs by as much as 30%.

Renewable Energy
MaineHousing is encouraging the use of renewable energy to make rental housing more affordable to operate by funding solar panels on two new affordable rental housing developments. The solar panels supply electricity for the community buildings, which include laundry facilities, as well as additional common lighting.
	Estimated savings: each solar panel generates 12,600-kilowatt hours of power annually, and reduces carbon emissions by more than 13,000 pounds.

Residential Energy Assistance Challenge (REACH) grant
MaineHousing is testing new, energy efficient, and renewable technologies in 200 low-income households. With funding from a $1.1 million federal Residential Energy Assistance Challenge (REACH) grant, MaineHousing is testing wind power at two homes and one rental housing development, solar energy in 16 homes, cold climate heat pumps at approximately 20 homes for all heating, and 120 homes for hot water generation only. MaineHousing will report results in 2008-09.
	Estimated savings: estimated to cut household electrical energy purchased by up to 60%.

Home Energy Loan Program (HELP)
The Home Energy Loan Program (HELP) provides very low interest rate loans of up to $15,000 to moderate income homeowners for energy efficiency improvements. Borrowers may obtain loans with a 1% interest rate if they use an energy auditor; 3% interest rate if they do not. A HELP loan can be used to finance a variety of improvements that will cut the typical borrower’s energy bills.
	Estimated savings: reduces energy costs by as much as 20%.

Weatherization Program
MaineHousing’s Weatherization Program provides grants to make homes of low-income Maine residents more energy efficient. Weatherization improvements may include insulation, weatherstripping, caulking, and some safety-related repairs. The program includes grant funds to repair or replace central heating systems through the Central Heating Improvement Program (CHIP). In 2006, this program financed energy improvements in more than 1,700 homes.
	Estimated savings: reduces energy costs by 20%, on average.

Appliance Replacement Program
The Appliance Replacement Program provides grants to replace old, inefficient appliances with new, energy efficient ones in homes of Maine low-income residents. This program is linked to the Weatherization Program.
	Estimated savings: average 17% reduction in electric bills.Savings from replacing inefficient refrigerators alone averages over $100 a year. Replacing four light bulbs with CFL bulbs could save nearly $350 over the life of the bulbs

Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP)
The Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) distributes $20 - $25 million in heating assistance to nearly 50,000 low-income Maine households each year. Dealers who voluntarily participate agree to provide the oil to LIHEAP households at a discount, which stretches the benefit. MaineHousing also plans a pilot program that will clean, tune, and evaluate furnaces for some LIHEAP households when funding permits.
	Estimated savings: tuning and cleaning furnaces saves an estimated $124 in energy per household.