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In the Media
Our Hero: Matthew Damon of Penobscot Home Performance
Matthew Damon has a habit of crawling around the cramped, dirty and hidden spaces in strangers’ homes, all in the pursuit of energy efficiency.
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New Construction + Retrofits Testimonials
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
What Can Penobscot Home Performance Do for You?
The improvements to your home will result in a more comfortable, energy efficient, healthier living environment and energy cost savings.
Rather than focusing on a single component, such as drafty windows, an old heating system, or leaky duct work, we assess how improvements to all of these components can work together to provide:
- Lower energy costs
- Consistent temperature distribution throughout your home
- Better humidity control
- Proper ventilation
- Reduced drafts
- Improved health and safety for your family
- Extended longevity of the home
- Reduced carbon footprint
- Increased house value
- Elimination of ice dams
After the evaluation we will develop a customized plan for your home. Our most common improvements include:
SEALING AIR LEAKS
Air leakage can represent between 5% and 40% of your heating costs. Controlling air leakage is one of the most important functions of what we do. Many air leaks in your home such as around windows, doors, and electric outlets are fairly obvious. Others, like those in attics, around chimneys, and through recessed light fixtures are often a more significant source of energy loss. Having Penobscot Home Performance locate, block, and seal these hidden sources of air leakage is critical to your homes overall efficiency.
ADDING INSULATION
Heat transmission is the average homes leading cause of winter heat loss. Insulation slows heat transmission through your homes floors, walls, and ceilings. We often install additional insulation as part of our energy retrofits. Many older homes are not well insulated and some have no insulation at all. When properly installed in your home, insulation provides for a more even temperature throughout your home. Penobscot Home Performance can help you have a quieter, more comfortable living environment and a reduced energy bill.
Diagnostic Testing and Consulting to Evaluate Specific Concerns or Problems:
Typical problems or concerns include:
- Ice dams
- Hot or cold rooms
- Mold/moisture issues
We will generate a full estimate and detailed work proposal for all recommended improvements. If implemented, the cost of the evaluation or consultation will be deducted from the total cost of the job.
How does it work?
STEP 1: THE HOME PERFORMANCE ENERGY AUDIT
This audit will provide you with valuable information regarding the existing condition of your home and identify areas where energy efficiency, comfort, health, and safety improvements can be made.
Before the audit, we like to see at least one year’s history of your utility bills. In addition, please let us know about any issues or concerns you have about your home. We encourage you to accompany us as we perform the audit.
STEP 2: INSTALLATION OF YOUR ENERGY EFFICIENCY IMPROVEMENTS
We pride ourselves on being a “one stop shop” for our customers. Our team is fully equipped to install any or all of the recommended improvements to your home. We use only the highest quality insulating and air sealing materials to best weatherize your home. Our typical air leakage reductions average 25 to 40% and our fuel usage reductions average 20 to 60%. We have over 10 years combined experience evaluating and retrofitting homes in Maine.
STEP 3: FINAL HOME EVALUATION
To quantify the effectiveness of our improvements we will conduct a post-weatherization “Test-Out”. Our team adheres to the guidelines of the Building Performance Institute and we make recommendations with regards to ventilation requirements and combustion safety based on those guidelines. This final test is an added layer of quality control so you can be assured that all work was done properly and your house is now healthier, safer, and more energy efficient.
The improvements to your home will result in a more comfortable, energy efficient, healthier living environment and energy cost savings.
Rather than focusing on a single component, such as drafty windows, an old heating system, or leaky duct work, we assess how improvements to all of these components can work together to provide:
- Lower energy costs
- Consistent temperature distribution throughout your home
- Better humidity control
- Proper ventilation
- Reduced drafts
- Improved health and safety for your family
- Extended longevity of the home
- Reduced carbon footprint
- Increased house value
- Elimination of ice dams
After the evaluation we will develop a customized plan for your home. Our most common improvements include:
SEALING AIR LEAKS
Air leakage can represent between 5% and 40% of your heating costs. Controlling air leakage is one of the most important functions of what we do. Many air leaks in your home such as around windows, doors, and electric outlets are fairly obvious. Others, like those in attics, around chimneys, and through recessed light fixtures are often a more significant source of energy loss. Having Penobscot Home Performance locate, block, and seal these hidden sources of air leakage is critical to your homes overall efficiency.
ADDING INSULATION
Heat transmission is the average homes leading cause of winter heat loss. Insulation slows heat transmission through your homes floors, walls, and ceilings. We often install additional insulation as part of our energy retrofits. Many older homes are not well insulated and some have no insulation at all. When properly installed in your home, insulation provides for a more even temperature throughout your home. Penobscot Home Performance can help you have a quieter, more comfortable living environment and a reduced energy bill.
Diagnostic Testing and Consulting to Evaluate Specific Concerns or Problems:
Typical problems or concerns include:
- Ice dams
- Hot or cold rooms
- Mold/moisture issues
We will generate a full estimate and detailed work proposal for all recommended improvements. If implemented, the cost of the evaluation or consultation will be deducted from the total cost of the job.
How does it work?
STEP 1: THE HOME PERFORMANCE ENERGY AUDIT
This audit will provide you with valuable information regarding the existing condition of your home and identify areas where energy efficiency, comfort, health, and safety improvements can be made.
Before the audit, we like to see at least one year’s history of your utility bills. In addition, please let us know about any issues or concerns you have about your home. We encourage you to accompany us as we perform the audit.
STEP 2: INSTALLATION OF YOUR ENERGY EFFICIENCY IMPROVEMENTS
We pride ourselves on being a “one stop shop” for our customers. Our team is fully equipped to install any or all of the recommended improvements to your home. We use only the highest quality insulating and air sealing materials to best weatherize your home. Our typical air leakage reductions average 25 to 40% and our fuel usage reductions average 20 to 60%. We have over 10 years combined experience evaluating and retrofitting homes in Maine.
STEP 3: FINAL HOME EVALUATION
To quantify the effectiveness of our improvements we will conduct a post-weatherization “Test-Out”. Our team adheres to the guidelines of the Building Performance Institute and we make recommendations with regards to ventilation requirements and combustion safety based on those guidelines. This final test is an added layer of quality control so you can be assured that all work was done properly and your house is now healthier, safer, and more energy efficient.
