Our Services
Home Energy Audits:
A home energy audit is the first step to assess how much energy your home consumes and to evaluate what measures you can take to make your home more energy efficient. An audit will show you problems that may, when corrected, save you significant amounts of money over time. During the audit, you can pinpoint where your house is losing energy. Audits also determine the efficiency of your home's heating and cooling systems. An audit may also show you ways to conserve hot water and electricity.
Air Sealing:
The enclosure of your home or building is like the material of a wetsuit. You can only stay as warm and dry as the wetsuit manages to keep out water and cold temperatures. Your home is not that much different. By testing the air barrier in your home we can pinpoint the leakiest spots first and move from largest to smallest. Air sealing is the first choice to increase efficiency and has the lowest upfront costs.
Spray Foam:
Spray foam is a great product that we use from time to time. It ability to air seal and insulate makes it a great tool. It also is not prone to mildew and mold which makes it particularly useful in a basement or crawl space. We use a closed- cell foam that is rated at an R-6.7 per inch. It is important to remember foam needs to be applied at the right temperatures, with a thermal barrier cover and be applied to a dry surface.
Deep Energy Retrofits:
This refers to a home or building that needs to reduce heating and hot water usage by a minimum of 50%. It usually involves insulation in all the walls, basement, attic and sometimes <basement moisture control>. It also regularly involves upgraded windows, heating/hot water system, foam insulated panels under siding or beneath roofing shingles and a <ventilation system. These are very exciting to work on and plan for.
Insulation New and Retrofit:
We specialize in using National Fiber Cellulose insulation. We are certified to install this type of insulation in a new or existing structure. We dense pack cellulose in walls or any enclosed cavity. I really like the results of cellulose because of its ability to slow air movement, its inexpensive cost, consistent R value and its environmentally friendly production. In attics, we use an open blow process that allows the cellulose to still fill in nooks and crannies, but is open to air on at least one side. We use other insulations when appropriate like spray foam being and rigid foam board. Between all of these products we can insulate and seal odd, complicated or simple structures with predictable results.
Windows and Doors:
Many times windows and doors are simply not installed correctly or not installed in the right order. Begin by using only high quality products such as Maine-made Paradigm Windows. Secondly, the installer must think of both water and air infiltration which can only be tested with a blower door to assure tightness. Third, consider when the best time is to replace your windows and doors. The typical sequence for energy saving upgrades is: 1) air sealing; 2) insulation; and 3) windows and doors. There are many options in this category as well as payback periods to consider. An audit can answer all of these questions and help you navigate this difficult decision.
Thermal Barrier Coatings:
The State Fire Marshall just recently allowed three products to be used over polyurethane foam that serve as a 15 minute fire barriers. We are certified to use both latex based items. TPR2 and DC333. Both are low VOC paints and are water-based.
Solar Energy and Hot Water:
While we do not install these ourselves we work closely with one of the best installers in Maine, Revision Energy. The tax credits for solar hot water right now are outstanding and we have been trained to determine when it may be right for your home. Solar hot water is low maintenance and a wonderful way to save 2/3 on heating water!
Ventilation Systems:
We use Venmar ventilation systems. It is a mechanical blower that pushes polluted, stale air out and brings fresh air in at predetermined times throughout the day. The exchanger is placed so it can vent the entire house. In Maine, we use an Energy-Recovery or Heat-Recovery system based on your needs. Through a highly sensitive core, both systems re-capture up to 85% of the heat that would otherwise be lost to the outside.
Wet Basement/Crawl Space Treatments:
While we love to insulate and air seal, finding and stopping moisture problems is always the first step to a healthy and durable home. Our two options are to stop the moisture on the outside of the basement or the inside. The outside is the best option, but requires space, time and more investment. The inside method allows the moisture to enter the walls or floor, but is diverted through perimeter drain that goes to a sump pump. Either way, we aim to make your basement or crawl space dry before we start your energy upgrades.
Heating and Hot Water Systems:
Boilers and furnaces do need to be upgraded from time to time, and these days, you have many, many efficient choices. I pride myself on being able to offer current information on many systems and concepts concerning heating and hot water storage. The goal is to install a system that is high efficiency, low maintenance, easy to service, has a good warranty and is preferably American made. We also have some low cost items (click for PDF) that can be added to existing units to make them more efficient.
