Home Energy Upgrades Case Studies

The two case studies below are of the buildings that are located on Collage of the Atlantic’s campus. Since 2021 COA has started to implement the 10* steps to reduce energy costs to it’s aged buildings that were family residents in the past. Those buildings are really similar to average Maine homes.

Cottage Case Study

Small, white, two story house with a raised stone foundation and a large fenced and covered porch.

The Cottage house was built in 1880 and the residents over the years have complained of moisture issues and insufficient heating and cooling. The school also didn’t like the cost of the heating oil deliveries or that it it was dependent on fossil fuels. After doing a comprehensive energy audit it was determined to need two heat pumps (one on each floor) and a heat pump water heater. As well as the basement needing a vapor barrier and insulation.

Image of the basement of Cottage after energy improvements have been made. The walls have been spray foamed and there is thick rubber vapor barrier over the floor and half way up the walls. — Cottage basement after improvements were made.

Before the energy improvements were made the total amount of energy the house was using was high and most was being wasted do to the leaky basement. Now the house is much tighter, uses less energy more efficiently and is no longer reliant on fossil fuels. The residents no longer have moisture issues and comfortable heating and cooling year round.

Carriage Case Study

Image of the front of Carriage house. It is a wide blue house with a standing seem metal roof. There is a stone foundation and steps up to the front porch.

The Carriage house was built in 1887 and the residents over the years have complained of moisture issues and inconsistent heating and cooling throughout the house. The school also didn’t like the cost of the heating oil deliveries or that it it was dependent on fossil fuels. After doing a comprehensive energy audit it was determined to need two heat pumps and a heat pump water heater. As well as the basement needing a vapor barrier and the attic and basement needing insulation.

Image of Carriage's attic before improvements were made with stuff strewn about the floor and fiberglass batts coming out of the roof cavities — Carriage’s attic before undergoing improvements

Image of Carriges attic after the insulation was fixed and a ceiling was placed. — Carriage’s attic after energy improvements.

Before the energy improvements were made the total amount of energy the house was using was high and most was being wasted do to the leaky basement and attic. Now the house is much tighter, uses less energy more efficiently and is no longer reliant on fossil fuels. Now the residents have a much more evenly heated and cooled home.