MAINE PUBLIC • February 27, 2026
For years the state of Maine and local organizations have offered financial incentives to make homes and buildings more energy efficient. That includes rebates and low-income loans for insulation, weatherization and heat pumps through Efficiency Maine. But the process can be overwhelming, said Rozanna Patane, an organizer with York Ready for Climate Action. It can be tough to figure out where your home needs work, let alone hire the right contractor and filing for a state rebate. "It's like a flood of information coming at people," Patane said. "It's more than most people can deal with, just understanding what their options are and how to get things done and who does them." Four years ago, Patane helped organize an energy coach program in an effort to help. The volunteers help guide homeowners through their efficiency options. Similar energy coaching programs are popping up in Mount Desert Island, Camden and Rockport, Falmouth and Yarmouth and in the Kennebunks. Patane said she's working with other organizers to develop best practices for training and coaching to jumpstart new groups across Maine.