Resource Library
Home Energy Guides
176 guides on insulation, heat pumps, building science, and energy upgrades — written for Maine homeowners.
Heat Pumps
30 guidesPropane vs. Heat Pump in Maine: A Comparison for LP Users
Start with air sealing and insulation, then compare propane and cold-climate heat pumps for your home. Costs change with prices; comfort and system fit guide the choice.
Oil Heat vs. Heat Pump in Maine: The 2026 Decision Guide
Oil or heat pump? The real factors: price stability, efficiency, cold weather performance, insulation, and what makes sense for your Maine home.
Heat Pump Noise Levels: What Maine Homeowners Should Know
At typical low and medium fan speeds, modern cold-climate heat pumps run at 40-43 dB outdoors. Max capacity noise (46-52 dB) is rare and brief.
Do Heat Pumps Work in Maine Winters? What the Data Says
143,000 heat pumps are running in Maine. Field data from real homes shows how they perform at every temperature, and why insulation is the missing piece.
Not Ready for a Heat Pump? Try a Boiler Instead
Not every Maine home is ready for a heat pump. If you have existing hydronic heat, a high-efficiency condensing boiler may be the smarter move right now.
Is Your Heating System the Right Size for Your Home?
A heat pump sized for a 1,600 sq ft home will struggle in a 2,400 sq ft one. Here is why proper HVAC sizing matters for Maine homes.
High-Efficiency Boilers in Maine: What to Know
Not every home is ready for a heat pump. Wall-hung condensing boilers deliver 95%+ efficiency and can cut heating costs 15-25% over old cast iron systems.
Heat Pump vs. Oil Boiler: Maine Cost Comparison
How do heat pumps compare to oil boilers for heating a Maine home? We break down the real costs.
Cold-Climate Heat Pump Performance: Real Maine Data
Do cold-climate heat pumps actually work in Maine? Here is real performance data from installations, field studies, and the January 2024 cold snap.
Branch Box Heat Pumps: The System Installers Skip
We pulled three outdoor units off a Cape Elizabeth home last month and replaced them with one. The branch box made the difference.
Heat Pumps in Maine: Do They Really Work Below Zero?
Yes, modern cold-climate heat pumps work reliably in Maine winters. Here’s the science behind why.
R410A vs R454B: Heat Pump Refrigerant Change in Maine
Here is what Maine homeowners need to know about the shift from R410A to R454B refrigerant and what it means for new and existing heat pump systems.
Heat Pump Water Heater Sizing Guide
Choosing the wrong size heat pump water heater means cold showers. Here is how to figure out the right tank size for your household before you buy.
Heat Pump Water Heater Cost and Rebates in Maine
Here is what a heat pump water heater costs in Maine, what Efficiency Maine covers, and how to figure out whether the numbers make sense for your home.
Heat Pump Water Heater Installation in Maine
A heat pump water heater installation typically takes less than a day. Here is what the process involves, what your basement needs, and what to plan for.
Heat Pump Costs in Maine: What to Budget
Cold-climate heat pump pricing in Maine from single-zone to whole-home, plus rebate math and payback timelines. Here is what to plan for in your budget.
How Heat Pump Water Heaters Work
A heat pump water heater pulls heat from surrounding air instead of burning fuel. Here is why that matters and how the technology actually works.
Branch Box Heat Pump Systems Explained for Maine Homeowners
A branch box lets one outdoor unit serve six or more zones through a single refrigerant line. Here is what it is, when it makes sense, and what it costs.
Heat Pump + Boiler Hybrid Systems for Maine Homes
A hybrid system uses the boiler for primary heat and a cold-climate heat pump for cooling and supplemental heat. Here is how they work together.
Using Your Heat Pump for Cooling in Maine Summers
Heat pumps installed for winter heating also cool, and they are quieter, more efficient, and better at humidity control than any window AC unit.
Switching from Oil to Heat Pump in Maine: A Complete Guide
Here is how to evaluate the switch from oil heat to a cold-climate heat pump in Maine - costs, savings, and the practical steps involved.
Heat Pump Maintenance Guide for Maine Homeowners
A Maine cold-climate heat pump works harder than one further south. Here is the complete maintenance schedule to keep yours running well for 20+ winters.
Why Manual J Sizing Makes or Breaks Your Maine Heat Pump
Oversized heat pumps short-cycle, feel clammy, and cost more to run. What a Manual J load calculation reveals, and why it matters at -5°F.
Cold-Climate Heat Pump Guide for Maine Homeowners
Not all heat pumps handle Maine winters. Cold-climate models maintain heating output well below zero. Here is what separates them from standard units.
Ducted Mini-Split Heat Pumps for Maine Homes
Ducted mini-split heat pumps hide completely out of sight and deliver conditioned air through registers, just like central HVAC, but far more efficient.
Multi-Zone Heat Pump Systems for Maine Homes
A multi-zone heat pump gives each room its own thermostat and comfort level. Here is how multi-zone cold-climate systems work and what they cost in Maine.
Single-Zone Ductless Heat Pump Guide for Maine Homes
A single-zone ductless heat pump transforms one room into the most comfortable space in your home. Here is how it works, what it costs, and if it fits.
Heat Pump vs Boiler: Which Is Right for Your Home
Torn between a heat pump and a boiler upgrade? The answer depends on your home's distribution, envelope, and fuel costs. Often the best option includes both.
Mini-Split vs Central Heat Pump: Maine Guide
Mini-split or central heat pump? Most Maine homes don't have ductwork. Here's how to choose the right system for your home and climate.
Heat Pump Sizing: Why Getting It Right Matters
An oversized heat pump wastes money and underperforms. Here is why proper sizing matters and how insulation affects the equation.
Insulation
30 guidesCellulose vs Fiberglass Insulation in Maine: An Honest Comparison
Cellulose and fiberglass each have a place in Maine homes. An honest breakdown of moisture performance, air sealing, cost, and where each material wins.
Blown-In Cellulose vs. Fiberglass Batts: An Attic Insulation Comparison
Should you use blown-in cellulose or fiberglass batts in a Maine attic? The answer is clear, and the performance difference is measurable.
Insulating Homes with Knob-and-Tube Wiring
Told you cannot insulate because of knob-and-tube wiring? Here is what is actually required, when rewiring is needed, and how cellulose fits in.
Why Insulation Should Come Before Solar Panels
Insulating your home before adding solar panels means fewer panels, faster payback, and lower total cost. Here is the math that solar salespeople skip.
Cathedral Ceiling Insulation in Maine Homes
Cathedral ceilings in Maine Capes and A-frames are some of the hardest areas to insulate well. Here is how we approach them.
Attic Insulation Gone Wrong: 5 Mistakes in Maine Homes
Insulation on top of unsealed gaps does almost nothing. Here are five common attic insulation mistakes we find in Maine homes and how to fix them.
Dense-Pack Cellulose for Walls: Maine Homeowner Guide
Most pre-1980 Maine homes have little or nothing in the walls. Dense-pack cellulose fills every gap without removing drywall. Here is how it works.
Home Insulation Cost in Maine: A Homeowner’s Guide
What does insulation cost in Maine? Factors that affect pricing, typical ranges, and how rebates reduce your cost.
What to Expect During Your Free Home Energy Assessment
Wondering what happens during a home energy assessment? We walk you through the entire process.
Blown-In Cellulose Insulation for Maine Homes
Cellulose insulation is 85% recycled, fire-rated, and costs 40-70% less than spray foam. Here is why it is our primary material for Maine home retrofits.
How Long Does Attic Insulation Last in Maine
Attic insulation does not last forever. Here is how to tell when your cellulose needs topping up, when it needs replacing, and what Maine weather does to it.
Best Insulation for Old Maine Homes
Pre-1950 Maine homes need insulation that works with balloon framing, plaster walls, and knob-and-tube wiring. Here is why cellulose is the right choice.
Insulating Floors Over Crawlspace & Basement
How to insulate floors above basements, crawlspaces, porches, and cantilevers in Maine homes. Methods by situation and solving cold floors for good.
How to Insulate a Bonus Room Over a Garage
The complete guide to insulating a bonus room over a garage. Five surfaces to fix, R-value targets, and why the floor matters most for comfort.
Insulating the Garage Ceiling in Maine Homes
How to insulate the garage ceiling when there is living space above. Air sealing, blowing cellulose, fire code requirements, and bonus room connections.
Insulating Flat and Low-Slope Roofs in Maine
How to insulate flat and low-slope roofs in Maine homes: above-deck rigid foam during re-roofing, dense-pack from below, and ice dam solutions.
Rim Joist Insulation Guide for Maine Homes
How to insulate rim joists in Maine homes. Spray foam is the preferred method, and rim joists are often the biggest air leak homeowners have never noticed.
Knee Wall Insulation for Maine Cape Cods
Why knee walls fail and how to fix them. Air barriers, dense-pack cellulose, and the complete approach to insulating knee wall attic spaces in Maine Cape Cods.
Cathedral Ceiling Insulation Options for Maine
How to insulate cathedral ceilings in Maine. Dense-pack cellulose, spray foam for shallow rafters, ventilation channels, and hybrid approaches explained.
Crawlspace Insulation and Encapsulation in Maine
A guide to crawlspace insulation and encapsulation in Maine: encapsulation vs. vented approaches, spray foam, moisture barriers, and pest prevention.
Basement Wall Insulation Guide for Maine
How to insulate basement walls in Maine: polyiso rigid foam for poured concrete, spray foam for rubble foundations, and why moisture comes first.
Exterior Wall Insulation for Maine Homes
How we insulate exterior walls in Maine homes without removing drywall. Dense-pack cellulose through small holes and what to expect during the process.
Attic Floor Insulation Guide for Maine Homes
A step-by-step guide to insulating your attic floor in Maine. Learn why air sealing comes first, how cellulose reaches R-50, and what to expect.
Attic Insulation in Maine: The Complete Guide
Most Maine attics have half the insulation they need. Learn why air sealing comes first, why cellulose beats fiberglass, and how to reach R-50 or higher.
Energy Upgrades for Cape Cod Style Homes in Maine
Cape Cods are the most common home style in Maine and the trickiest to insulate. Learn how to solve knee walls, sloped ceilings, and limited attic access.
Basement Insulation Guide for Maine Homeowners
Cold basement floors and damp walls cost you comfort and money. Here's how Maine homeowners insulate basements the right way.
What Is R-Value and Why It Matters in Maine
R-value measures how well insulation resists heat flow. In Maine's Zone 6 climate, knowing your R-value targets can save thousands per year.
Wall Insulation Options for Maine Homes
Dense-pack cellulose insulation fills wall cavities without removing drywall. Learn why it outperforms fiberglass for Maine's cold climate.
Cellulose vs Spray Foam: Which Is Right for Your Maine Home
Cellulose and spray foam each have a place in Maine homes. Here is an honest comparison of where each material works best.
How to Choose an Insulation Contractor in Maine
Hiring the wrong insulation contractor can cost you thousands. Here is a checklist to find the right one for your Maine home.
Building Science
13 guidesSpray Foam Problems: When Good Insulation Goes Wrong
Spray foam can fail in expensive ways. Shrinkage, off-gassing, and bad installation are real risks. Here is an honest look at when it makes sense.
How Wind Washing Reduces Your Insulation's Effectiveness
Your insulation may look fine and still be failing. Wind washing lets outdoor air move through it without displacing it, destroying its performance.
What Is a Blower Door Number and What Does It Mean
You got a blower door number from an energy assessment. Here is what ACH50, CFM50, and other air leakage measurements actually mean for your Maine home.
Passive House Standards: Are They Right for Maine
Passive House does not mean no heating system. Here is what the standard requires, what it costs, and whether it makes sense for Maine homeowners.
Home Energy Scores: What They Are and How They Work
Home energy scores appear in real estate listings and policy discussions. Here is what the systems mean and whether they should affect your decisions.
The Physics of Heat Loss in Maine Homes
Heat escapes through conduction, convection, and radiation. Understanding each mechanism reveals why some energy improvements matter far more than others.
IECC 2024 Energy Code Changes for Maine
Maine's energy code is now the 2021 IECC, in effect since April 7, 2025. Higher ceiling and wall insulation and mandatory ventilation are the changes.
What Is BPI Certification and Why It Matters
BPI certification is the leading credential in home performance. Here is what it requires and why it matters when hiring for insulation or heat pump work.
Air Barrier vs Vapor Barrier: What's the Difference
Most homeowners confuse air barriers with vapor barriers. They serve different functions and go in different places. Here is what you need to know.
Maine Building Energy Codes: What Homeowners Need to Know
Maine building energy codes set minimum requirements for insulation, air sealing, and heating efficiency. Most homeowners have never heard of them.
Thermal Bridging in Maine: What It Is and How to Fix It
Thermal bridging lets heat bypass your insulation through studs, joists, and solid framing. Learn what it looks like and how to reduce it in Maine homes.
Understanding Dew Point and Condensation in Walls
Water inside walls is not a plumbing leak. It is dew point condensation. Learn why it happens in Maine homes and how insulation and air sealing fix it.
Moisture Management in Maine Homes: A Building Science Guide
Moisture is the silent threat to Maine homes. Learn how condensation forms, where it hides, and what building science says about managing it.
Indoor Air Quality
10 guidesThe Connection Between Home Energy Improvements and Health
Energy upgrades do more than cut heating bills. Research shows weatherization reduces asthma, allergies, headaches, and missed work and school days.
Pets and Indoor Air Quality: What Homeowners Should Know
Love your pets but notice more dust and odors since air sealing? Here is how pet dander, hair, and moisture interact with your home's air quality system.
Carbon Monoxide Safety in Maine Homes: A Complete Guide
Carbon monoxide kills silently. Maine homes with oil boilers, gas appliances, and wood stoves need proper detection, maintenance, and ventilation strategy.
What Is ASHRAE 62.2 and Why It Matters for Your Home
There is a national standard for how much fresh air your home needs. Most Maine homes fall short. Here is what ASHRAE 62.2 means for your indoor air quality.
Asthma, Allergies, and Your Home's Air Quality
If your family's asthma or allergies get worse indoors, your home may be the trigger. Air sealing and insulation can reduce the pollutants driving symptoms.
Kitchen Range Hoods and Indoor Air Quality
Most range hoods in Maine homes recirculate air instead of venting outside. That means cooking pollutants stay in your home. Here is what to know.
Bathroom Moisture Problems in Maine Homes
Peeling paint, foggy mirrors that stay foggy, and mold in the grout. Bathroom moisture problems in Maine homes often point to bigger building envelope issues.
How Tight Is Too Tight: Balancing Efficiency and Air Quality
The myth that sealed homes are unhealthy persists. Here is the building science behind why a tight house with ventilation beats a leaky house every time.
VOCs in Your Home: Sources, Risks, and Solutions
That new paint smell is not harmless. VOCs from building materials, cleaners, and furniture accumulate in poorly ventilated Maine homes, especially in winter.
CO2 Levels at Home: What They Mean for Air Quality
High CO2 levels in your home cause headaches, poor sleep, and brain fog. Learn what the numbers mean and how to fix them in Maine's tight older homes.
Electrification
7 guidesBackup Heating Strategies for Heat Pump Homes
What happens when it hits -20F or the power goes out? Here are the real backup heating options for Maine homes with cold-climate heat pumps.
Time-of-Use Rates and Heat Pump Operating Costs
Will time-of-use rates make heat pumps more expensive to run? The opposite is true. Here is how TOU rates work in Maine and why heat pump owners benefit.
Induction Cooking and Kitchen Electrification
Induction cooking is faster, more efficient, and eliminates indoor combustion. Here is what Maine homeowners switching from gas need to know.
Heat Pump Electrical Panel Upgrade: Do You Need One?
Getting your panel heat pump-ready costs $2,500-$5,000 when an upgrade is needed, but many homes need no panel work at all. Here is how to tell which you are.
Grid-Interactive Homes: What Maine Homeowners Should Know
Grid-interactive homes coordinate energy use with the grid to lower costs. Here is what Maine homeowners need to know about demand response.
Low-GWP Refrigerants: What's Changing in Heat Pumps
Heat pumps are transitioning to low-GWP refrigerants like R454B. Here is what the regulatory shift means for new installations and Maine homeowners.
Energy Savings
53 guides
What Is Whole-Home Performance? A Guide for Maine Homeowners
Most contractors do insulation or heat pumps separately. Whole-home performance means doing both in the right order so your home works as a system.
Your First Winter in a Maine Home: Energy Guide
Bought a Maine home and survived your first winter? Here is where to start fixing the problems your home inspector did not catch.
Why Tight Homes Need Fresh Air: Ventilation in Maine
After air sealing a Cape in South Portland, the homeowner asked: did we seal it too tight? Here is why tight homes need a deliberate ventilation plan.
How to Reduce Heating Bills in Maine: What Works
Heating oil prices keep climbing. These Greater Portland strategies cut heating costs by hundreds or thousands a year, ranked by real impact.
Why We Insulate Before We Install a Heat Pump
Why the building envelope has to come first, what happens when it does not, and how sequencing insulation before a heat pump saves homeowners thousands.
Heat Pump Water Heaters: A Smart Upgrade for Maine Homes
A Scarborough homeowner was paying $65 a month for hot water. We replaced her electric tank with a heat pump water heater and cut that bill by two-thirds.
Phasing Your Home Energy Upgrade Over Time
You do not have to do everything at once. Here is how to phase your home energy improvements for the biggest impact at each step.
What Is a Deep Energy Retrofit? A Guide for Maine Homes
A home spending $4,800 a year on heat does not need another incremental fix. It needs a deep energy retrofit of the envelope and mechanical systems.
Building Science Basics: How Your Maine Home Works
Cold rooms, ice dams, uneven temperatures: the answer is almost always the same: your house is a system, and something in that system is out of balance.
Energy Audit vs Energy Assessment: What Maine Homeowners Need to Know
Energy audit and energy assessment get used interchangeably in Maine, but they are not the same thing. What each term means and which one you need.
The True Cost of Doing Nothing About Home Energy
Every winter you delay insulating and air sealing is another season of high heating bills and cold rooms. Here is what doing nothing actually costs.
High-Efficiency Boiler Installation in Maine
Your old boiler is wasting 20 cents of every fuel dollar up the chimney. A wall-hung condensing boiler cuts that to 5 cents. Here is what the upgrade involves.
Blower Door Test: Why Your Maine Home Needs One
A blower door test measures exactly how much air leaks out of your home. Here is what the numbers mean and why it matters for your Maine heating bills.
Maine Energy Efficient Heating Options Compared
Cold-climate heat pumps, boilers, and hybrid systems compared for Maine homes. See real costs, efficiency ratings, and available Efficiency Maine rebates.
What to Ask Before Hiring a Heat Pump Installer
Three quotes for the same home often differ on system and price. Here are the questions that reveal which heat pump installer knows what they are doing.
ERV and HRV Systems: Fresh Air for Tight Homes
After air sealing, your home needs a ventilation plan. ERVs and HRVs provide fresh filtered air without wasting the energy you just saved.
How Thermal Imaging Finds Hidden Energy Problems
Infrared cameras reveal what your eyes cannot see - missing insulation, hidden air leaks, and moisture problems inside your walls and ceilings.
Weatherization Services in Maine: What to Know
Weatherization is a word Maine homeowners hear constantly but rarely get a straight explanation for. Here is what it actually means and how it works.
Should You Insulate or Replace Your Heating System First
Most HVAC contractors say replace your heating system first. Building science says the opposite. Here is why insulating first saves more money.
Air Sealing Rim Joists: A Maine Homeowner's Guide
Rim joists are one of the biggest air leak sources in Maine homes. Here is how they get sealed, what materials work best, and what it costs.
Combining a Boiler and Heat Pump in Maine
Maine homes with hydronic heat can keep their radiators and add cooling by pairing a primary condensing boiler with supplemental cold-climate heat pumps.
Whole-Home Energy Upgrade: Where to Start
Overwhelmed by energy upgrade options? Start here. The right sequence saves money, reduces equipment costs, and gets better results from every dollar spent.
Boiler Maintenance Guide for Maine Homeowners
Your boiler runs 3,000+ hours every heating season. Skipping service leads to cracked heat exchangers and CO hazards. Here is the maintenance that matters.
How to Read Your Maine Energy Bill
Your CMP or Versant bill contains clues about your home's performance. Here is how to decode it and benchmark your energy use against similar Maine homes.
Hydronic Heating Systems: A Maine Homeowner Guide
Hydronic heating circulates warm water through pipes. It is the most common heating distribution in Maine, and understanding it helps with upgrades.
Boiler Replacement Guide for Maine Homeowners
A 1990s boiler running at 65% efficiency wastes fuel constantly. Most homeowners have no idea. Here is how to tell when it is time to replace yours.
Propane Condensing Boiler Guide for Maine
A 1980s oil boiler running at 72% efficiency is burning money. Here is what propane condensing technology offers and what the switch involves.
Natural Gas Condensing Boiler Guide for Maine
Gas boilers from the 1990s run at 80% efficiency. A condensing boiler hits 95-98%. Here is what that gap costs you and what a replacement involves.
Air Sealing Attic Floor Penetrations in Maine
The attic floor in most Maine homes is full of holes: wires, pipes, ducts, and flues leaking heated air around the clock. Here is what needs sealing.
Air Sealing Dropped Soffits and Bulkheads
The lowered ceiling above your kitchen cabinets is likely connected to the attic. Dropped soffits are hidden air highways most homeowners never know exist.
Air Sealing Old Whole-House Fan Openings
That whole-house fan from the 1970s is a giant hole in your ceiling. Here is why it is one of the worst air leaks in a Maine home and how to seal it.
Maine Home Energy Loans & Financing: Complete Guide
Compare Maine home energy loans and financing options: Efficiency Maine Green Bank, NEIF, PACE, HELOC. Rates, terms, and how to combine with rebates.
Air Sealing Bathroom Exhaust Fan Penetrations
Cold air blowing back through your bathroom fan means the housing is unsealed. Here is how to fix the fan penetration, damper, and duct in your ceiling.
Air Sealing the Basement-to-First-Floor Connection
Where framing meets foundation is a gap factory. The basement-to-first-floor connection is one of the largest air leakage zones in a Maine home.
After Your Energy Assessment: What Happens Next
Your assessment is done and you have a report with recommendations. Here is how to read your priorities, access rebates, and decide what to do first.
Air Sealing Window and Door Frames in Maine
In most Maine homes, the real air leak is the gap between the window frame and the rough framing behind it, not the glass. Here is how to seal those gaps.
Sill Plate Air Sealing for Maine Homes
The gap where your house meets the foundation leaks more air than most homeowners realize. Learn how sill plate sealing works and why it matters in Maine.
Common Energy Assessment Findings in Maine Homes
After thousands of assessments, we see the same issues in Maine homes. Here are the ten most common findings organized by the era your house was built.
Air Sealing Knee Walls in Maine Cape Cods
Cape Cod homes in Maine are notorious for uncomfortable upstairs rooms, and knee walls are usually the reason. Here is how proper air sealing fixes it.
Understanding Your Energy Assessment Report
Your assessment report recommends several improvements at different price points. Here is how to read it, what the priorities mean, and what to do first.
Chimney Chase Air Sealing in Maine Homes
Your chimney chase may look sealed from below, but from the attic it is often wide open. Learn the code-compliant way to seal it without creating a fire hazard.
How to Prepare for Your Home Energy Assessment
You do not need to do much before we arrive. But a few small things help us help you get the most from your free home energy assessment visit.
Sealing Plumbing and Wiring Penetrations
Plumbing stacks, wiring holes, and ductwork chases create a hidden highway for air leaks. Learn where to find them and how we seal them in Maine homes.
What to Expect During a Home Energy Audit in Maine
Scheduled a home energy audit in Maine? Here is what actually happens during your assessment. No equipment, no obligation, no surprises. Greater Portland area.
What Is a Condensing Boiler and How It Works
Wall-hung condensing boilers reach 95%+ AFUE and cut heating costs significantly compared to older cast iron units. Here is how they work.
Insulation Contractors: Red Flags to Watch For
Not every insulation contractor delivers quality work. Here are the warning signs to watch for before you hire, during the project, and in the estimate itself.
Air Sealing Electrical Outlets on Exterior Walls
Cold air from electrical outlets on exterior walls signals bigger problems. Learn why it happens, what works to fix it, and when it means a larger issue.
Air Sealing Recessed Lights in Maine Homes
Recessed lights punch holes in your ceiling's air barrier. Learn how we seal them safely, prevent ice dams, and cut heat loss without removing fixtures.
Attic Hatch Air Sealing Guide for Maine Homes
Your attic hatch may be the single biggest air leak in your home. Learn how to test it, seal it, and stop losing heat through this overlooked gap.
How to Read a Home Energy Improvement Estimate
Three estimates for the same home can look completely different. Here is how to read an energy improvement estimate, compare quotes fairly, and spot gaps.
Propane Boiler vs Oil Boiler in Maine
Compare propane condensing boilers at 95%+ AFUE against conventional oil at current Maine fuel prices, and see where the savings actually come from.
Is a Home Energy Assessment Worth the Time
A free energy assessment takes 30-60 minutes and can unlock thousands in rebates. Here's what it reveals and why it's worth your time.
What Is a Building Envelope and Why It Matters
Your building envelope is the barrier between inside and outside. Its condition determines your comfort, energy bills, and air quality.
Home Problems
13 guides
Drafty Windows vs. Drafty Walls: Where You Are Losing Heat
You feel cold air near the windows, so you assume the windows are the problem. In most Maine homes, the draft is coming from somewhere else entirely.
Why Is My Second Floor So Hot in Summer?
If your upstairs feels 10 degrees warmer than your first floor every summer, the problem is not your AC. It is your attic. Here is why, and how to fix it.
Radon, Moisture, and Mold: What Every Maine Basement Needs
Maine has the highest radon levels in the country. Your basement is ground zero, and proper insulation and air sealing keep radon, moisture, and mold out.
Humidity and Condensation in Your Maine Home: A Guide
Window condensation in February and musty basements in July share the same cause: moisture in the wrong place. Here is how to understand and fix both.
Ice Dam Prevention Starts in the Attic
Ice dams form when heat escapes through your attic. The real fix is air sealing and insulating to R-50, not heat cables or roof raking.
Carbon Monoxide and Combustion Safety in Maine Homes
A separated exhaust pipe and a dead CO detector. That is what we found in a routine assessment. Here is what combustion safety requires in Maine homes.
Bathroom Exhaust Fans and Insulation: Maine Guide
Most bathroom exhaust fans in Maine are vented wrong or missing. When you are up there for insulation, fixing them costs a fraction of a standalone job.
Air Sealing and Indoor Air Quality in Maine
Many homeowners worry that sealing their home too tight will hurt air quality. The truth is the opposite: a leaky house pulls in your worst air.
Ice Dams in Maine: Causes, Fixes, and Prevention
Ice dams are a symptom of heat loss through your attic. Learn why band-aid fixes don’t work and how proper insulation prevents them.
5 Signs Your Maine Home Needs Better Insulation
Drafty rooms, high energy bills, and ice dams are all signs your Maine home may need better insulation. Learn what to look for and how to fix it.
Why Your Home Feels Drafty Even with New Windows
Spent thousands on new windows but your house is still drafty? The real problem is almost never the windows. Here is where the air is actually getting in.
Indoor Air Quality and Weatherization: The Connection
Will sealing up your house trap bad air inside? The short answer is no. Here is how proper weatherization actually improves the air you breathe.
Mold Prevention in Maine Basements
That musty basement smell is not normal. Here is what causes mold in Maine basements, and how proper insulation and air sealing reduce the risk.
Rebates & Incentives
7 guides
Maine's Weatherization Assistance Program: Free Upgrades
Maine's Weatherization Assistance Program provides free energy upgrades to income-qualifying households. Most eligible homeowners have never heard of it.
How to Stack Efficiency Maine Rebates for Maximum Savings
Insulation rebate plus heat pump rebate plus water heater rebate plus the heat pump bonus. Here is how to layer every available incentive into one project.
Maine Insulation Rebates: How Much You Can Get in 2026
A couple in Gorham paid a fraction of their expected $6,200 insulation bill after Efficiency Maine rebates. Here is how the rebate program works in 2026.
Heat Pump Rebates in Maine: 2026 Breakdown
Federal tax credits are gone, but Efficiency Maine heat pump rebates reach $9,000 for qualifying households. Here is exactly what is available in 2026.
Low-Income Weatherization in Maine: How to Qualify
Maine offers generous weatherization assistance for income-eligible homeowners through HEAP, LIHEAP, and Efficiency Maine.
PACE Loans for Maine Home Energy Upgrades
PACE loans let Maine homeowners finance energy upgrades through their property tax bill. Learn how they work, who qualifies, and how to stack them with rebates.
Seasonal
8 guidesWinter Emergency Preparedness and Home Energy
A well-insulated home is your first line of defense in a winter emergency. Here is how building performance affects your resilience when the power goes out.
How Coastal Maine Weather Affects Your Home's Envelope
Salt air, humidity, wind, and freeze-thaw cycles create unique challenges for homes along the Maine coast. Here is what that means for your building envelope.
Spring Energy Assessment: Best Time to Plan Upgrades
Spring is the ideal time to plan energy upgrades. The heating season just showed you every problem. Now you have time to fix them before next winter.
Fall Energy Checklist for Maine Homeowners
September is the best time to find and fix energy problems before heating season. Here is a practical checklist based on what we see in Maine homes every fall.
Summer Heat in Maine: Staying Cool Without Central AC
When your second floor hits 90 degrees in July, the problem is not a lack of AC. It is a building science problem with a building science solution.
Why Your Pipes Freeze and How Insulation Prevents It
Frozen pipes in Maine homes are almost always an insulation problem, not a plumbing problem. Here is why they freeze and how to stop it permanently.
What Happens to Your Home When the Power Goes Out
Insulated homes retain heat 2-3x longer during a power outage. Here is the building science behind passive survivability and what it means for your family.
Preparing Your Maine Home for a Nor'easter
A nor'easter tests every weakness in your home's building envelope. Here is how to prepare your house before the storm hits and what to fix after.
Rentals & Landlords
5 guidesMaine Landlord Guide to Efficiency Maine Rebates
Maine landlords can claim Efficiency Maine rebates on rental properties. Here is how the program works for investment properties and what to expect.
Tenant Comfort and Energy Efficiency
Tenant complaints about cold rooms and high heating bills are building performance problems, not tenant problems. Here is how to fix them permanently.
Heat Pumps for Multi-Unit Buildings in Maine
Multi-unit buildings present unique challenges for heat pump installs. Here is what works in Maine triple-deckers and apartments from our field experience.
Insulation ROI for Maine Landlords
Maine landlords often assume tenants should just pay more for heat. The numbers tell a different story about insulation ROI and property value.
Energy Upgrades for Rental Properties in Maine
Maine rental properties lose more energy than most landlords realize, and targeted upgrades pay for themselves through lower vacancy and reduced turnover.