From the Field
Home Energy Insights
Honest, practical advice on heat pumps, insulation, and energy savings — from the crew that does the work.
Energy Assessment vs Home Inspection: What Maine Home Buyers Need to Know
A home inspection checks safety and code compliance. A home energy audit checks performance. Here is how to think about the timing for each.
How Often Should You Get a Home Energy Audit? (And When It Matters Most)
Most homes benefit from an energy assessment every 5-10 years, or sooner after major changes or comfort problems. Seven triggers that mean it's time.
Efficiency Maine Green Bank Loan: A Contractor's Walkthrough
What the Efficiency Maine Green Bank loan process actually looks like, from a contractor who helps homeowners apply every week.
How to Pay for a Heat Pump in Maine: 2026 Rebates + Loans Guide
Maine heat pump financing explained: Efficiency Maine rebates, Green Bank loans, and NEIF options. Real costs, payments, and how to combine programs.
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Can You Get a Loan for a New Boiler in Maine?
Yes, but not through Efficiency Maine Green Bank. The financing options for a boiler or furnace replacement in Maine, including NEIF Energy Plus.
How Much Does a Home Energy Audit Cost in Maine? (2026 Guide)
"Home energy audit" is what most Maine homeowners search for. Horizon Homes does not sell audits. We start with a free energy assessment: a visual walkthrough and a prioritized plan.
The 5 Best Energy Efficient Home Improvements for Maine Homes (2026)
Maine's housing stock is old and heating costs are high. These five upgrades deliver the biggest return, in the right order.
DIY vs. Hiring an Air Sealing Contractor in Maine: What You Need to Know
Caulking a window is a weekend project. Sealing a building envelope is not. Here is where DIY air sealing ends and professional work begins.
Federal Tax Credits Expired. Here Is What Maine Still Offers in 2026
The 25C federal tax credit ended December 31. But Efficiency Maine rebates are state-funded and still available, covering up to $18,650 in combined incentives.
What a Home Energy Audit Revealed About Our 1940's Portland Cape
The homeowners thought their problem was the drafty living room. The energy audit told a different story, starting with a 4,200 CFM50 blower door result.
Spring Is the Best Time for an Energy Assessment in Maine
We booked 14 energy assessments last week in Greater Portland. By October that number triples and the wait doubles. Why spring gives you the advantage.
This Winter Cost You a Fortune. Next Winter Doesn’t Have To.
Maine heating oil hit $4+/gallon this winter. Spring is the best time to weatherize, add heat pumps, and lock in Efficiency Maine rebates before next...
The Snow Is Gone. Here Is What It Revealed About Your Insulation
Spring thaw exposes what winter hid. Ice dam scars, attic bypasses, and compressed insulation all signal your home is working too hard. What to look for.
Maine's Oldest Homes Waste the Most Energy. Here Is How to Fix Yours.
Pre-1970's Maine homes were built with little or no insulation. They also benefit the most from weatherization, because the gap to improve is enormous.
Energy Upgrades for Older Portland Homes: Where to Start
Portland's housing stock is old, and older homes lose heat in predictable ways. Here is where to start if you own a pre-1960's home in Greater Portland.
From Oil to Heat Pump: One Portland Family's Switch
A 1960s Cape Cod in Portland was spending $3,800 a year on oil heat with cold bedrooms and ice dams. Weatherization plus two heat pump heads changed that.
Case Study: Westbrook Ranch - From Oil Heat to a Comfortable, Efficient Home
A Westbrook family cut annual heating costs from $3,500 to $1,400 by switching from oil to heat pumps.
Beyond Energy Bills: The Hidden Benefits of Weatherization
Most people call us because their heating bills are too high. But the improvements we make change things they did not expect, and those get talked about.
Your Heating Bill Was $1,200 Last Month. Here Is Where That Money Went.
A breakdown of where heat escapes in a typical Maine home, what each area costs you, and which fixes deliver the best return on investment.
When to Install a Heat Pump in Maine: Timing Your Project Right
The best time to install a heat pump in Maine is the season before you need it. Why the shoulder seasons beat the rush, and how to be ready.
Going Solar? Here’s Why You Should Weatherize Your Home First
Before investing in solar panels, reduce your home’s energy waste with insulation and air sealing.
The $500 Heat Pump Bonus: Efficiency Maine's 2026 Incentive
Efficiency Maine is adding $500 to heat pump rebates through the end of 2026. Here is what qualifies and how to capture it.
Case Study: How a Portland Cape Cod Cut Heating Bills by 40%
A 1950's Cape Cod in Portland was drafty, had ice dams, and cost $350/month to heat. See how insulation and air sealing cut heating bills by 40%.
The Whole-Home Approach: Why Smart Homeowners Insulate Before Installing Heat Pumps
Installing a heat pump without insulating first means a bigger, more expensive system. Learn why the order matters.
Home Energy Guide for Gorham and Windham, Maine
Gorham and Windham homes tend to be larger, oil-heated, and under-insulated. Here is how whole-home performance upgrades apply to these properties.
Maine's Heat Pump Adoption: By the Numbers
Maine has installed over 143,000 heat pumps, more per capita than almost any other state. The real numbers behind adoption and cost savings.
Energy Savings for Scarborough Homeowners
Scarborough homes built in the 1970s through 2000s still lose energy in predictable ways. Here is how to find and fix the gaps that drive up your bills.
Weatherization for Westbrook, Maine Homes
We are headquartered in Westbrook at 865 Spring St. Here is what we know about weatherizing the mill-era homes and workers' cottages in our own backyard.
Insulation and Heat Pumps in South Portland, Maine
South Portland's post-war ranches and capes lose heat in predictable ways. Here is how insulation and cold-climate heat pumps work together to fix them.
Finding an Insulation Contractor in Portland, Maine
Portland's older homes present unique insulation challenges. What to look for in an insulation contractor and why cellulose works for New England.
Air Sealing Services in Portland, Maine
Portland's older homes lose 25-40% of heated air through gaps in the building envelope. How air sealing with blower door testing stops drafts at the source.
Heat Pump Installation in Portland, Maine
Portland homes need cold-climate heat pumps rated to -15F. Learn about sizing for triple-deckers, Victorians, and coastal homes plus Efficiency Maine rebates.