Maximize the Benefits of Your Heat Pump with These Simple Home Upgrades

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So you recently had a heat pump installed in your Midcoast or Southern Maine home, and you’re ready to start enjoying benefits like greater energy efficiency and a reduced carbon footprint. But what if your heat pump doesn’t deliver the results you expect? Maybe your new unit is working constantly to keep up, it takes forever to make your home comfortable, or your energy bills are higher than anticipated. Is there more you can do to get the benefits you expect from your new heat pump?

Absolutely, there is. Your HVAC system works hand-in-hand with other parts of your home — such as your insulation and windows — to keep it comfortable. If your heat pump installer didn’t take these other parts of your home into account, there’s a chance your ductless heat pump (or mini split) system is working harder than it needs to.

As home performance experts, we can help you eliminate areas of energy loss and improve your home’s building envelope so your heat pump can do its job better. With the right improvements (many of which qualify for generous Efficiency Maine rebates), your heat pump will run more effectively and respond more quickly to drastic changes — whether that’s a 20-degree drop in temperature outside or a major adjustment to the thermostat.

Here are the home upgrades we recommend to help you get more from your heat pump.

Seal Those Air Leaks

You may not realize it, but your home likely has holes, cracks, and gaps throughout which allow air to travel freely into and out of your home, all year long. You’ll often find these air leaks near windows and doors, plumbing penetrations, recessed lighting, the attic hatch, and more.

Without sealing these leaks, your home will lose valuable heat in the winter, gain unwanted heat in the summer, and have indoor drafts — regardless of how efficient your heat pump system is. Air sealing eliminates these leaks for more consistent indoor comfort.

Insulate, Insulate, Insulate

Insulation works hand-in-hand with air sealing to keep your home comfortable year-round, providing a thermal barrier that keeps valuable heat in during the winter and unwanted heat out during the summer.

Many homes in the Portland and Rockland areas are under-insulated, so there’s a good chance it’s time to upgrade your home’s insulation. We recommend high performance types of insulation like cellulose, mineral wool, and spray foam, which will do a better job of regulating indoor temperatures and reducing the workload on your heat pump system.

Treat Your Basement

Did you know that switching from a hot air furnace or boiler in the basement to a heat pump system can actually decrease your home comfort in some ways? This is because furnaces and boilers located in the basement heat the basement air, helping warm the floor on the first story of your home. With a new heat pump system, suddenly there is nothing warming your floors from below.

Basement encapsulation and insulation can resolve this problem. Encapsulation involves installing a heavy duty vapor barrier along the basement floor and walls and sealing it to keep out air and moisture. Insulation, meanwhile, will stabilize basement temperatures and prevent those dreaded cold floors in the winter. The end result — a more comfortable home that’s easier for your heat pump to condition.

Upgrade Your Windows

Once your home is well sealed, insulated, and protected against excess moisture, it’s a good time to consider upgrading your windows. Old single pane windows are often leaky and allow heat to travel more freely into and out of the home. This forces your heat pump system to work harder all year long to keep your home comfortable.

With energy efficient double pane windows, indoor temperatures will be more consistent all year long, putting less stress on your heat pump.

Improve Your Home with Evergreen

For a heat pump that doesn’t have to work as hard, lasts longer, and delivers consistently low utility bills year-round, it pays to make these simple upgrades to your home. These upgrades are also great to consider if you’re thinking of installing a heat pump, as your home will be as efficient as possible beforehand, allowing you to install a smaller unit.

As home comfort and efficiency experts, we can help you determine exactly which upgrades your home needs to perform better. It all starts with a free consult!

Get even more from your heat pump with the right home upgrades. Contact us or call 207-594-2244 to schedule your free consult!

Get the most out of your new mini-split or heat pump

Find out exactly which upgrades your home needs 207-594-2244

Greetings one and all! I am writing to express my gratitude to all involved in my insulation project.  From start to finish, I appreciate the universal theme which was maintained by each and every one of you, to ensure that my home was insulated and protected from freezing pipes as if it was your home. Andrea, thanks for helping me navigate my way to the project. Nate, thanks for the thorough initial assessment and the time you took to explain this project to me, step by step. Brian, thanks for setting up my project - so happy

Michele

Professional, friendly and hard-working staff. The product/approach they use for insulation is top notch. We felt the difference immediately, both from added warmth and eliminating drafts. The team and management were easily available to answer our questions or coordinate meeting times. Highly recommended.

Kevin J.

Yarmouth

This team of individuals was professional at all times. They set up barriers that kept the dust at a minimum. They conducted an air flow audit and cut the draft circulation from the outside in half by sealing cracks. They hauled out the old insulation and replaced it with blown in insulation with an R - 60 Value. They also did the rebate paperwork so that I could get my $1500.00 rebate from the state of Maine. I highly recommend Evergreen Home Performance!

Daniel B.

Rockland

We had Evergreen energy do blow-in cellulose. I was very happy with the result. They tested with blower-door before and after. House is now MUCH warmer. Also, in the time since when I've had to open walls for various access, I've been impressed with how they got the insulation packed in everywhere. I'd use them again.

Noah

Peaks Island

First we have Evergreen do a BIG project worth about $20K (windows, basement, insulate & rebuild an entire wall, a door, attics, and air sealing). They were so great we had them come back later when we decided we did want to do our other door. They are professional and do great work. They take care of your home and are trustworthy, and on top of all that friendly! I highly recommend you call them!

Garreth C Debiegun

We had a fantastic experience working with Evergreen to insulate our roof this winter. Everyone was extremely friendly throughout the process - the crew at our home worked hard, were approachable with questions, and the team leader even showed me around the project to point out specific areas they were working to improve.

Joel Wentz

Evergreen has a professional and reliable team of people who do excellent work. If you want the best of the best in the area, select Evergreen to accomplish your insulation needs.

Mary E.

St. George

I was very impressed by the professionalism of this company and the workers. Brian R. was very prompt in replying to my questions; the crew was meticulous in all parts of the work and attentive to the safety aspects concerning Covid; and Brian was extremely thorough in the final inspection. My attic is now snug and warm and I've noticed that the second floor is warmer as well.

Julia S.

Rockland

We absolutely loved our experience with Evergreen. The team was incredibly kind, professional and great to work with. We're very impressed with the quality of work of the Evergreen team and how easy they made everything! Our house had barely any insulation ahead of this project and the results are amazing. Insulating the attic, walls and basement with Evergreen allowed us to tear a 50-year-old furnace, ductwork and oil tank out of the basement and now heat the home with new heat pumps. Evergreen also added 100 sq ft of clean, new storage space to the attic!

Nick S.

South Portland

We just finished a large project air sealing and reinsulating our 1890s basement and attic. It had been completely renovated 8 years ago, but still felt cold, and lacked proper energy assessment and corrections. We met with Justin in December and were very impressed with his knowledge, professionalism and communication skills and knew Evergreen was who we wanted to work with. Dave was our on hands project manager and was excellent. The office staff has been quick to respond and helpful as well when needed.

E Gallant

Kennebunk

We needed basement encapsulation to stop moisture coming up into the house from our regularly flooding basement. We had mold growing on windowsills and furniture. All the staff were friendly, respectful of our home, and easy to work with. Humidity has gone from 70% down to 40% and mold has not grown back after two months. Very grateful.

Sarah C.

Belfast

Evergreen came back this year to finish insulating our house. We have been remodeling and renovating an 1850s cape for several years. Their employees are very professional and pleasant to deal with. Over several years Brian Robinson has been able to schedule us in for several small areas that needed addressing and finally turning a room we used to close off in the winter into a comfortable usable space. We primarily heat with wood and since Evergreens great work our furnace has only come on ONCE this winter. Fantastic. Really satisfied customer in Thomaston.

Chris F.

Thomaston

Evergreen did an amazing job insulating our historic home. Their professional staff worked hard to ensure the tough areas in the attic were covered, and clearly communicated their progress. We are seeing the results with our discounted heating bills. Thank you, Evergreen!

Melissa Knoll

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

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

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