The midcoast of Maine is one of the most beautiful places in the world, with endless natural beauty to explore in Rockport, Rockland, Belfast, Searsport, and beyond. But it’s also home to some pretty severe weather, with frequent snow & ice storms in the winter and lightning and thunderstorms during the summer. The snow, ice, and wind of these storms (and the aging Maine power grid) can wreak havoc on power lines and leave you in the dark for days on end.
You probably already have an emergency kit prepared for power outages, with canned food, flashlights, and extra batteries at the ready. But have you thought about how you’ll handle freezing temperatures without central heating in the winter or sweltering heat without AC in the summer? Investing in quality insulation and air sealing will help your home retain its heated or cooled air and be less affected by outside temperatures so that you can stay comfortable until your HVAC system is back up and running.
Signs You Need New Insulation & Air Sealing
Most homes have some sort of insulation, but many are vastly underinsulated and have a whole lot of room for improvement. If you’ve noticed any of the following signs at your MidCoast Maine home, your insulation and air sealing may be lacking:
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Drafty rooms
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Inconsistent temperatures from one room or floor to the next
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Unusually high energy bills
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Leaks in your attic or basement
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Mold or mildew growth
Without the right amount of insulation and air sealing, you’re bound to experience extreme heat gain in the summer and heat loss in the winter. Your HVAC system will do its best to compensate, but when the power goes out, it won’t be able to help. That’s why it’s crucial to invest in high-quality insulation and proper air sealing.
Update Your Maine Home’s Insulation
Once you know your home needs more or better insulation, you’ll want to start looking for experienced insulation companies near you. A good insulation contractor will be able to evaluate your home’s overall performance, starting with an energy audit, and then recommend the most effective solution, which may be:
There are many different types of insulation, including spray foam insulation, cellulose insulation, mineral wool insulation, and rigid foam insulation. All of these insulation materials offer their own benefits, but some are more suitable for certain applications than others. That’s why it’s so important to partner with a skilled insulation company; a good contractor will be able to explain the differences between every type of insulation and recommend the product that will work best where you need it.
Air Sealing Is Just as Important as Insulation
Insulation is most effective when it’s paired with proper air sealing, so you’ll want to tackle both of these projects at once in order to ensure maximum comfort at your Maine home during a power outage. But what exactly is air sealing? Well, in most homes, there are a number of gaps and holes in the construction, especially in the basement, attic, and around doors and windows. Air sealing is the process of finding and filling in these holes before insulation is installed. This stops air leakage, prevents drafts, and makes it much easier for your insulation to do its job.
Home performance improvements like insulation and air sealing will benefit your home for years and across all seasons. And, in addition to helping your home stay comfortable whether the power is out or not, they’ll also help you save energy. Wondering just how much air sealing and insulation will save you? Home Performance companies that specialize in a whole-home approach to efficiency (including air sealing & insulation ) can help Mainers reduce their home’s air leakage by 15%-50%!
