The house Midcoast Habitat for Humanity is building in Thomaston, Maine will be more than a place to live for a local family in need. It will be a sound home that’s affordable to heat and comfortable to live in, thanks to its energy efficiency design and construction.
“We’re dedicated to serving families by helping them fulfill their dream of homeownership,” said MHFH Executive Director Tia Anderson, “and building energy efficient houses that keep monthly expenses to a minimum is an ideal way to fulfill our mission.”
House #24 marks MHFH’s second consciously efficient home, and its second collaboration with Rockland-based Evergreen Home Performance. Last year, Evergreen provided air sealing and attic insulation, and tweaked the heat recovery ventilator to complete House #23’s green profile. During the final energy efficiency evaluation, Evergreen President Richard Burbank used blower-door analysis to measure the home’s air-tightness and infrared analysis to reveal any air leaks.
Evergreen has been equally involved this year, providing expertise, analysis, and plenty of hard work. Habitat volunteers prepped the double-wall assembly by installing insulwebbing over the building frame, and Evergreen volunteers spent all day Saturday dense-packing the walls with about 150 bags of cellulose insulation.
“They did a great job with the HRV and air sealing in preparation for our coming to install cellulose,” said Burbank. Evergreen will insulate the attic in a few weeks, and Habitat hopes to dedicate the home in November.
“The decision to go ‘green’ was a logical step in our efforts toward sustainability,” said Anderson, “and we’re so pleased to have Evergreen as a partner and resource.”
For more information about Midcoast Habitat for Humanity, or to volunteer or donate, please visit www.midcoasthabitat.org. For more information about Evergreen Home Performance, or to schedule a free energy consult for your home, please visit www.evergreenyourhome.com.
