News and Updates
Is your home energy efficient?
In today’s economy, home energy efficiency is a key concern for many homeowners. Poor insulation and hidden sources of air leakage can lead to high utility bills, heating costs, and uncomfortable living conditions – especially in Maine’s harsh climate. Read more
You can afford to make your home more comfortable and energy efficient...let us help.
What people are saying about Penobscot Home Performance
We had thought that our 1890s house was reasonably tight, what with blown cellulose in the cap and walls, high quality storm windows, and heavy insulating bats along the foundation. To our surprise, the blower door test showed cold air pouring into the basement, as well as at the wall between the finished and unfinished parts of the attic. The entire energy audit was an education, as Matt and Paul took plenty of time to explain what they were doing and learning. An excellent detailed report helped us to understand how our house compared to national standards and similar homes. The estimate was broken down into sub-jobs showing clear costs and potential benefits for each, which helped us to decide which to prioritize.
Ultimately we had additional cellulose blown under the floor and along the outer walls in the unfinished attic, a new insulated wall built, and smaller leaks sealed around plumbing vents and in storage cubbies of the finished attic. In the basement, the fiberglass bats were replaced with expanding foam insulation, and new energy efficient windows were installed. While insulating the damp crawlspace at the back of the house, the crew also sealed that area with heavy polyethylene. This dramatically improved air quality in the basement and in the rooms above the crawlspace.
Matt and Paul and their workers were great to deal with, always professional, pleasant and reliable. They came when they said they would, worked hard on the job, and cleaned up after themselves. Matt kept us well informed about the work schedule and was very accommodating about any changes we might request.
While it's too early to predict the impact on our winter fuel bill, this autumn the house is definitely holding heat better through the night and feels much less drafty on windy days.
Thanks, Matt and Paul, for helping us to stay cozy and put a bit less carbon out into the atmosphere! We'll keep you posted on the results after the cold weather arrives.
Naomi J. , Bangor
Kurz Case Study
“We were amazed at the immediate impact the energy upgrades had on our fuel usage and level of comfort!” - K. Kurz
Customer:
K. Kurz
Location:
Hampden, ME
Work completed:
- Insulated attic with dense-packed cellulose
- Air Sealed
- Insulation installation: closed-cell spray foam
Improvements:
- Whole house air sealing eliminates drafts
- Warm floors
- Even temperature distribution
- Lowered fuel usage
Benefits:
“We were comfortable all year long!”
Project investment:
$6,011.00
Annual savings:
$1,040 per year
Return on Investment (ROI) estimated to be 5.7 years.
40% reduction of building envelope air leakage.
Background
K. Kurz moved to her Cape home in Hampden in 2009. The home was insulated with standard fiberglass batts, rated at levels of R-6 or less due to poor quality and excessive air leakage. The concrete block foundation and the rim joists in the basement were not insulated at all. This was inadequate for the home, resulting in drafts and high fuel bills.
Key Reasons for Project
Energy bills were extremely unreasonable and comfort levels varied around the home.
This home exchanged more than its total volume of air every hour!
Getting Started
K. contacted Penobscot Home Performance to conduct an energy evaluation in October 2010. Paul Shepherd performed whole-house diagnostic tests to find out what was causing the home’s comfort, health, and energy issues.
Top Priorities Identified
The main priorities in the Kurz home were air sealing, followed by insulation upgrades. The images below show the attic and basement, both of which are now properly air sealed and insulated to R-60 and R-14 respectively.
Attic is now R-60 with Cellulose Insulation!
Spray foam was used in the basement.
Summary of Benefits
By following through with installation upgrades by Penobscot Home Performance, K. was able to reduce air leakage by nearly 40%, lower her energy bills, and improve the overall comfort in her home.
Results
K. has reported, “From Apr. 2009 - Apr. 2010, we used 715 gallons of heating oil, BUT - we didn't have our first oil delivery that year (we had just bought the house) until June 15th, so in reality if we had been in the house, we would have used oil from Apr - June 15th that isn't accounted for in the 715 gallons.
From April 2010 - April 2011, we used 607 gallons.”
“We were amazed at the immediate impact the energy upgrades had on our fuel usage and level of comfort!” - K. Kurz
Customer:
K. Kurz
Location:
Hampden, ME
Work completed:
- Insulated attic with dense-packed cellulose
- Air Sealed
- Insulation installation: closed-cell spray foam
Improvements:
- Whole house air sealing eliminates drafts
- Warm floors
- Even temperature distribution
- Lowered fuel usage
Benefits:
“We were comfortable all year long!”
Project investment:
$6,011.00
Annual savings:
$1,040 per year
Return on Investment (ROI) estimated to be 5.7 years.
40% reduction of building envelope air leakage.
Background
K. Kurz moved to her Cape home in Hampden in 2009. The home was insulated with standard fiberglass batts, rated at levels of R-6 or less due to poor quality and excessive air leakage. The concrete block foundation and the rim joists in the basement were not insulated at all. This was inadequate for the home, resulting in drafts and high fuel bills.
Key Reasons for Project
Energy bills were extremely unreasonable and comfort levels varied around the home.
This home exchanged more than its total volume of air every hour!
Getting Started
K. contacted Penobscot Home Performance to conduct an energy evaluation in October 2010. Paul Shepherd performed whole-house diagnostic tests to find out what was causing the home’s comfort, health, and energy issues.
Top Priorities Identified
The main priorities in the Kurz home were air sealing, followed by insulation upgrades. The images below show the attic and basement, both of which are now properly air sealed and insulated to R-60 and R-14 respectively.
Attic is now R-60 with Cellulose Insulation!Spray foam was used in the basement.
Summary of Benefits
By following through with installation upgrades by Penobscot Home Performance, K. was able to reduce air leakage by nearly 40%, lower her energy bills, and improve the overall comfort in her home.
Results
K. has reported, “From Apr. 2009 - Apr. 2010, we used 715 gallons of heating oil, BUT - we didn't have our first oil delivery that year (we had just bought the house) until June 15th, so in reality if we had been in the house, we would have used oil from Apr - June 15th that isn't accounted for in the 715 gallons.
From April 2010 - April 2011, we used 607 gallons.”
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