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
Paul and Matt performed an energy audit for our 80 year old home this past spring. They were very professional as they explained what they were testing, how and why. During the audit they discovered many areas in our home that had cold air pouring in (and heat pouring out!). They walked us around the house using the thermal imaging camera to show us all the trouble areas, although in some places it wasn’t needed as we could feel the draft easily!
They also checked our boiler & water heater for efficiencies and safety and pointed out small exhaust leaks that needed attention in both appliances. After the audit they discussed several projects we could do ourselves, as well as a full report of the projects they could do for us and how soon they would pay for themselves in lower fuel costs. Equally as important, they didn’t try to sell us on more expensive projects that didn’t have good payback times.
In the end we opted to have our basement and attic sealed and insulated, as well as a more powerful and quite bathroom fan to get excess moisture out of our home. Great job guys and looking forward to the savings this winter!
Tim O., Bangor
Wood’s home
“I’m so happy with the results. I’m comfortable in my own home and I no longer need to run a space heater in my home office to keep warm!” - S. Wood
Customer:
S Wood
Location:
Belfast, ME
Work completed:
- Insulated walls and attic with dense-packed cellulose
- Air Sealing
- Insulated basement with closed-cell spray foam
Improvements:
- Whole house air sealing eliminates drafts
- Warm floors
- Even temperature distribution
Benefits:
“In addition to much lower fuel bills, the level of comfort has increased dramatically!”
Project investment:
$8,975
Annual savings:
$1,350 per year!
Return on Investment (ROI) estimated to be 6.6 years.
40% reduction in fuel usage per year.
Background
S. Wood moved back to Maine from the Mid-Atlantic and purchased a Cape home built in 1820. Energy bills were extremely unreasonable and comfort levels varied around the home.
Key Reasons for Project
S works from home and was extremely cold in the winter. She was working in a small office and using a space heater to compensate for drafts and poor comfort levels.
Getting Started
In the summer of 2009, S decided to obtain an energy audit to identify the problem areas causing skyrocketing utility bills and the uneven temperatures around the house.
Top Priorities Identified
Due to the age of the home, the quality and level of insulation was insufficient. After evaluating the home’s thermal envelope, Penobscot Home Performance created a scope of work to provide whole home air sealing, insulating the main attic, back kitchen attic, and exterior walls with cellulose. The image below (left) shows the basement walls and rim joists insulated with closed cell spray foam, keeping Su’s feet warm in the winter! The image to the right is and infrared image showing cold air infiltrating an attic hatch. A new attic hatch was built and insulated to R-50 to eliminate air leakage.
Basement walls and rim joists insulated with foam.
Dark areas show air leakage.
Summary of Benefits
Fuel use has decreased by 40% and overall comfort has increased.
Results
As a result of energy upgrades installed by Penobscot Home Performance, a Bangor Mane Energy Audit company, S. Wood is now comfortable working from home year round. “I went from using close to 900 gallons of fuel before the upgrades to 544 gallons after, thanks to the guys at Penobscot Home Performance!”
“I’m so happy with the results. I’m comfortable in my own home and I no longer need to run a space heater in my home office to keep warm!” - S. Wood
Customer:
S Wood
Location:
Belfast, ME
Work completed:
- Insulated walls and attic with dense-packed cellulose
- Air Sealing
- Insulated basement with closed-cell spray foam
Improvements:
- Whole house air sealing eliminates drafts
- Warm floors
- Even temperature distribution
Benefits:
“In addition to much lower fuel bills, the level of comfort has increased dramatically!”
Project investment:
$8,975
Annual savings:
$1,350 per year!
Return on Investment (ROI) estimated to be 6.6 years.
40% reduction in fuel usage per year.
Background
S. Wood moved back to Maine from the Mid-Atlantic and purchased a Cape home built in 1820. Energy bills were extremely unreasonable and comfort levels varied around the home.
Key Reasons for Project
S works from home and was extremely cold in the winter. She was working in a small office and using a space heater to compensate for drafts and poor comfort levels.
Getting Started
In the summer of 2009, S decided to obtain an energy audit to identify the problem areas causing skyrocketing utility bills and the uneven temperatures around the house.
Top Priorities Identified
Due to the age of the home, the quality and level of insulation was insufficient. After evaluating the home’s thermal envelope, Penobscot Home Performance created a scope of work to provide whole home air sealing, insulating the main attic, back kitchen attic, and exterior walls with cellulose. The image below (left) shows the basement walls and rim joists insulated with closed cell spray foam, keeping Su’s feet warm in the winter! The image to the right is and infrared image showing cold air infiltrating an attic hatch. A new attic hatch was built and insulated to R-50 to eliminate air leakage.
Basement walls and rim joists insulated with foam.Dark areas show air leakage.
Summary of Benefits
Fuel use has decreased by 40% and overall comfort has increased.
Results
As a result of energy upgrades installed by Penobscot Home Performance, a Bangor Mane Energy Audit company, S. Wood is now comfortable working from home year round. “I went from using close to 900 gallons of fuel before the upgrades to 544 gallons after, thanks to the guys at Penobscot Home Performance!”
Follow us online:
