Local Students Explore STEM Careers

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A home energy audit is the last thing on the summer bucket list for most high school students, but that’s just what Jessie Knight found herself doing last month.  Knight shadowed Evergreen Home Performance Energy Advisor Liza Wheeler as part of a pilot program developed at the University of Maine Hutchinson Center.  The two-credit college course encouraged high school juniors and seniors and first-year college students to pursue careers in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM).

The eleven students who participated in the program conducted scientific research in Hutchinson Center labs, job-shadowed in local STEM-related jobs, and honed their math and language skills to communicate scientific ideas.

“The students really enjoyed their job shadow experiences,” said Molly Schauffler, the program director.  “Many knew they were interested in science but had no idea what jobs were available.”  Schauffler asked students to articulate areas of interest, then reached out to local businesses. Evergreen was a perfect fit for students interested in alternative energy and energy efficiency.

Energy Advisors like Wheeler specialize in building science, from the physics of air movement to the relationships between the home’s structure, heating system, and use.  They assess homes as systems and engineer comprehensive improvements that slash energy costs while improving comfort and building durability.

Knight shadowed Wheeler for the series of diagnostic tests that make up a home energy audit and give Energy Advisors the information they need to engineer comprehensive energy efficiency projects.  “The most interesting and surprising part of the job shadow with Liza was her favorite part: the blower door test,” said Knight.  In a blower door test, a large calibrated fan blows air out of the house, depressurizing the space and measuring the airflow through leaks in the thermal envelope.  “Once the fan was on, we went into the basement and you could feel the air being pulled in from every crack.  I had no idea how much air was being transferred and the vast areas of improvement that small changes could make.”

Wheeler, who is certified as a Building Analyst by the Building Performance Institute, was delighted to share her job with Knight.  “I’ve always had an interest in the practical application of science,” said Wheeler, “and I really enjoyed explaining the physics of home performance.”

The experience may have helped Wheeler recruit a future colleague, too.  “An energy auditor combines engineering, people skills, and energy efficiency, so it is definitely a career that is possible on my current career path,” said Knight.

In addition to Evergreen Home Performance, students shadowed professionals at Waldo County General Hospital, Searsport Veterinary Hospital, Front Street Shipyard, Ingredients Solutions, Inc., Penobscot Marine Museum, and Lotic, Inc. Environmental Consulting.

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Great job installing windows and insulation.

Bob S.

Rockland

We are so pleased with the work the team from Evergreen Home Performance did in our home. The project included encapsulation of our basement with a reinforced vapor barrier, installation of a sump pump, spray foam insulation on the walls and insulation of the heating duct work. Everyone at Evergreen was friendly and professional. The project was completed on time and in budget. Our home is much cozier and warmer since the project was completed.

Linda Metzger

Thorough, smart, informative, integrated, and communicative -- that's how my experience was with Evergreen even with the covid interruption midstream. The team picked up where they left off, insulated basement and air sealed attic and knee wall in 100' temps under the eaves! This business group was a pleasure to work with.

Karen W.

Gray

The Evergreen team was amazing from initial assessment and planning to the crew that came to complete the work. Our basement encapsulation is the best money we've spent on our house by far. The work was thorough and high quality. And what a wonderful group of people to work with. I highly recommend Evergreen!

Martha Bracy

Evergreen is a terrific company to deal with. Polite and efficient crews, meeting deadlines and major reduction in our heat bills. They corrected a lot of issues we suffered from doing work with a shoddy building contractor. We would recommend them to anyone.

Mary Carey

I was extremely pleased with the professionalism and quality of service that I received from the Evergreen team. I met Richard to discuss options for insulation. I knew immediately that I wanted to do business with them because he did not try to over-sell extra services that I did not need. Dave was the project manager. He was not only kind, but very respectful of my home. I would highly recommend this company.

Darlyann M

Bath

Evergreen listened and produced a thoughtful evaluation, proposal and comprehensive plan for our attic and basement. They exhibited excellent workmanship, teamwork, and came back as planned after the completion of the job to test the outcomes. Their overall performance as insulation and home improvement contractors is truly outstanding and we highly recommend them.

Susan S.

Saco

Evergreen did everything they said they would and more. I actually don't mind going into the basement now since they sealed it. The air quality in the house is noticeably better and it's warmer in the winter. We can even store clothing down there where before, whatever was in there would mildew. Even the spider population declined! I used to vacuum so many of them from the corners of the ceilings in the house. Not any more!

Loriel Van Dusen

Bryan, Dave and the entire Evergreen team are wonderfully professional, prompt and thorough. I enjoyed working with them and look forward to continued work as we upgrade our home! Thank you so much for your professionalism, fairness, time and diligence.

Cait

Yarmouth

Our house still the most efficient home we’ve ever lived in. And we have you folks to thank for that! A special howdy to Brian Robinson please!

Bruce O’Donal and Eva Butler

Led by Brian Robinson, the Evergreen Home Performance team just completed an insulation refit at my home. It was truly a great experience from start to finish, a period of time that was a fraction of the time that I originally anticipated due to the team's unbelievable work habits and professional knowledge of their tasks. As impressive were the communication skills and friendliness of each and every member of the team.

Anne W.

Rockport

"Working with Evergreen from start to finish was a great experience." See what our customers have to say about their experience with Evergreen Home Performance. 

Jeff L.

Evergreen came out 2 years ago to do an assessment and insulate our roof. This year we had them come back and do the basement as well. They are hands-down the best crew we've ever hired to work on our house. They are experts at what they do, and super meticulous in their work. After working in our house for a week with blown insulation, there was no trace they were ever here. We've seen a huge decrease in our energy bills while at the same time the house has become way more comfortable. Can't recommend them enough.

RC Lations II

Portland

Nothing but good things to say. The guys that came and did the actual work were extremely nice and did a great job. The energy audit was thorough and I was presented with multiple improvement options, I was even given ideas for improvement that Evergreen didn't offer. I never felt like I was being "sold".

Ryan Adams

I used to spend winters in the bathtub because my house was so cold. This was my first winter roaming around my whole house comfortably. This even led me to decorate a little. My heating oil usage has been reduced by over a quarter: I rarely have to boost the thermostat because the temp stays at a constant. The Efficiency Maine rebates, together with the energy savings, make it affordable for me to pay for the loan I took out to finance the project. I do not worry about my pipes freezing.

Claire Helene Bevan

Camden

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