Home Energy Audits and Energy Saving Services in MA

2012 Energy Conservation Code Raises Energy Standards

Wed, April 25 2012, 00:00:00 -500

Rockland, MA - Developed by the Washington, DC-based International Codes Council, the 2012 International Energy Conservation Code (IECC) will be used by federal agencies like the National Park Service, Department of State, U.S. Forest Service and the Veterans Administration. The IECC will eventually be used by many state and municipal building departments all across the country.

Even though the 2012 IECC focuses on new and commercial construction, green building experts, such as Dr. Energy Saver®- a nation-wide network of energy specialists, predict that this new building code will have a major impact on upgrading the energy performance of existing houses. Alex Wilson, founder of BuildingGreen, Inc. and executive editor of Environmental Building News, is certain that the new code will have a major impact on home energy performance.

“Simply having code language finalized doesn't mean that a code is in force,” Wilson explains. “But any time a new building code is adopted, designers, builders, and building owners change their practices. I’m hopeful that we will see a residential version of this code in the not-too-distant future.”

Highlights from the new Energy Conservation Code that will impact existing home performance

More airtight construction. Blower door tests are already performed on houses during a standard home energy audit, to measure and detect energy-wasting air leaks. The IECC calls for mandatory blower door testing on new buildings. In colder climate zones, airtight construction techniques should yield a blower door reading equivalent of just 3 air changes per hour (at 50 Pascals pressure). This tight construction standard reinforces the need to stop energy-wasting air leaks with expert air-sealing work.

Higher insulation levels. The new code stresses the importance of insulation in all areas of a building, from basement to attic. For existing houses, the best opportunities for insulation upgrades are in basement, crawl space and attic zones.
Well-sealed ductwork. Leaky ductwork wastes energy by increasing HVAC system run time. The IECC proposes a maximum leakage of just 4cfm (cubic ft./min.) for every 100sq.ft. of floor area. Even though it’s easy to seal ducts when a house is first built, this work is often neglected or entirely omitted. That’s why duct sealing improvements remain very important for existing houses.

More efficient lighting. Recognizing advancements in efficient lighting technology, the new code calls for at least 75% of a new building’s lighting to be “high efficacy.” Thanks to the widespread availability of low-watt compact fluorescent lights (CFLs) and even more efficient LED lights, this standard is just as easy to achieve in existing houses as it is in new construction.

Contact Dr. Energy Saver today to schedule your home energy audit or estimate for any of their services, which includes: crawl space encapsulation, replacement windows, ductwork, air conditioning in Marshfield, MA and more!

Make Every Day Earth Day With Dr. Energy Saver

Mon, April 16 2012, 00:00:00 -500

For more than 40 years now, we have set aside April 22nd, Earth Day, as a time to increase awareness and appreciation of the earth’s natural environment. Around the globe, individuals, communities and businesses volunteer in large ways and small to protect our resources, to foster learning and educational activities, all in the effort to save our planet.

Whether focusing on recycling, saving energy, indoor air quality, water pollution, sustainability and a myriad of other topics, people are eager to take action to help out around this time of year. They join community clean-ups, turn out the lights, walk vs. drive, and engage kids in workshops and festivals to do their part. And it all helps.

But not for long. To be effective, actions and results, need to be sustained for the long haul. Saving energy is topping the list of environmental protection because its effects are felt in so many ways. Dr. Energy Saver® focuses on saving energy all the time. Not for a day, or a week. All the time. It’s your prescription for lower energy bills®. As home-energy experts, Dr. Energy Saver shows you what you can do in your home to save energy while simultaneously reducing your energy bills, and improving your comfort and health . . . every day of the year.

We aim to provide you with cost effective solutions. In order to do just that, we first like to conduct a home energy audit. Here, we utilize a blower door test and evaluate your whole home—quite different from the typical audit performed by other companies. We then are able to properly diagnose the cause and recommend the best solution. Sometimes our homeowners are surprised to see what’s really causing the problem!

Once complete, we prioritize a list of solutions customized for your home!

Contact Dr. Energy Saver today to schedule an estimate for any of our many services including a home energy audit in Marshfield, Bridgewater, Pembroke, and all surrounding areas throughout MA, RI and NH.

Weatherization and Home Health: Crawl Spaces, Air Sealing, Ductwork in Massachusetts

Mon, April 9 2012, 00:00:00 -500

Energy efficiency and a healthy home are so intertwined that a conversation of one demands inclusion of the other. After all, considering the time we spend inside our home, we are bound to be affected by its conditions. And affected we are. Total-home weatherization is the best defense against potential health hazards and problems. Here’s a look at how the connection between home health and energy efficiency works. We at Dr. Energy Saver offer the resources and tests to identify and solve your home’s specific problems.

Many homeowners may not realize the link between their home’s condition and unnecessary expenses such as: medical bills, high energy bills, illness, and more! As a company offering a whole-house approach to energy efficiency, comfort and health—Dr. Energy Saver performs a home energy audit to first identify the sources of your home’s problems and discomfort. Next, we suggest the repairs or upgrades to better seal and ventilate your home, decrease the moisture and relative problems, and make way for adequate duct function.

One of the greatest contributors to an unhealthy home and family is the existence of damp and musty environments such as those in basements and crawl spaces, poorly managed rainwater or groundwater, and plumbing leaks are sources of excess moisture in the home. Moisture leads to mold and mildew growth which can cause irritations of the skin, nose and throat, and respiratory problems such as asthma, allergies, and nasal and sinus congestion.

Weatherization defense to control moisture includes crawl space encapsulation; diverting water from the foundation via drainage techniques, sump pump installation and dehumidification.

It’s clear that a more energy-efficient home leads to a healthier one. Understand the connection, make the necessary adjustments, and reap the rewards.

Federal and state initiatives continue to implement an integrated, whole-house approach to addressing the connection between energy efficiency and health allowing more homeowners than ever to benefit. Indoor air quality is a great concern for leading organizations and we aim to improve the quality of the air in your home.

We proudly offer crawl space encapsulation, air sealing and ductwork in Marshfield, Bridgewater, Pembroke, East Bridgewater, Abington, Norwell, and more!

Importance and Need for Air Sealing in Plymouth, MA

Tue, February 14 2012, 00:00:00 -500

Plymouth, MA air sealing needs are as great as those in any other part of the country. Special attention needs to be given to proper air sealing so that all the energy that goes into heating and cooling your home does not get wasted. It is needless to say that people in Plymouth spend plenty of their hard earned money on heating their homes in winters and cooling the premises in the summer. It is also an unfortunate fact that there is plenty of energy that leaks out and is lost through gaps and lack of insulation in your home, which serves no purpose except maybe trying to change the ambient temperature of your yard, in vain.

What You Can’t See

Finding a leak or hole in your home is not quite as easy as it sounds. This is where specialists in air sealing at Plymouth, MA come in. Old doors and windows eventually begin to give a little to the use and possible abuse they have sustained throughout the years. These leaks are easy to spot however, there are many other leaks that may have developed while the house was being built itself that are not that easy to diagnose and thereby correct.

Stack Effect

In order to understand the importance of air sealing in Plymouth, MA, it is important to understand how the stack effect works. Warm air from inside the home rises toward the ceiling and roof. The problem arises because this warm air then escapes out of air leaks that you cannot see such as tiny holes in the ceiling, apertures created for smoke detectors, light fixtures, fans, and even skylights. Once this warm air escapes, it is replaced by colder and danker air that rises from the crawlspace under the foundation of your home. A house suffering from air leaks will always seem to have a relatively cold floor irrespective of your insulation status.

With the help of Plymouth, MA air sealing contractors, you can test your home for air leaks and remedy the situation so as to save a fine chunk of money on your heating and cooling bills. The primary focus of air ceiling is to minimize the stack effect as much as possible.

Make the Most of Your Insulation

You may have invested a reasonable amount of thought and money in obtaining the right insulation installation for your home. However, all your efforts will be for nothing without conducting air sealing in Plymouth, MA. The quality and level of thermal conductivity of the insulation materials that you may have used are measured by R-values.

A higher R-value rating indicates a better insulating material but the fact is that R-values are representative of the insulating capacity of a material when there is no deviant air movement. This means that without conducting adequate air sealing in Plymouth, MA homes, your insulation will never be able to give you maximum effectiveness. It is important to choose a good air sealing contractor who can have the job done quickly and effectively so that you can begin saving on your energy bills and living a more comfortable existence.

Dr. Energy Saver South Shore provides air sealing in Plymouth, MA. Visit them online to schedule a whole-house energy audit.

Save Money by Choosing the Right Home Insulation in Plymouth, MA

Tue, February 14 2012, 00:00:00 -500

Home insulation is probably not something you think about much. While it is out of sight, the fact is that it affects the quality of your life and savings to a large extent. It is important to understand the need for appropriate insulation, how insulation works, and the differences between available options. This is important so that you can reduce your carbon footprint, as well as save you quite a few dollars.

Types of Insulation Materials

In its essence, home insulation involves ensuring that the heat stays in during the winter season so that you are not cold and stays out during the summer so that your home does not become overheated and/or unbearable to live in. Home insulation in Plymouth, MA is rated in terms of R-values. R-values are used to measure the home insulation materials for their thermal conductivity. It logically follows that the higher the R-values, the better the insulating material.

Since heat has a tendency to rise at all times, the R-values of the insulation material chosen for the roof needs to be relatively higher compared to the rest of the house. There are many different types of home insulation that you can choose from that will fit the textural and spatial design of your home and not be so difficult on your pocket book.

Batt Insulation

This type of insulation is generally used around the beams and studs in the walls, as well as the ceilings. Though it is made of minute glass fibers, it is deceptively fashioned to look like pink cotton candy. Don’t be fooled by the way it looks, batt insulation is one of the most affordable and effective options for a Home Insulation in Plymouth, MA.

Rigid Foam Insulation

Like the name suggests, this type of insulation involves the use of rigid foam boards made out of Styrofoam that are installed in the form of long sheets. These are installed behind the exterior walls of your home as well as in the ceilings. The very nature of this option of home Insulation necessitates the use of drywall when it comes to interior applications. There might be lapses in the insulation that this rigid material provides to you as home insulation contractors will have to cut holes through the sheet for plumbing as well as electrical needs.

Loose Fill and Spray Foam Insulation

Loose fill insulation is made up of small confetti like substances made out of a variety of materials such as fiberglass, wool, and even cellulose. Loose fill will prevent almost all of the heat in your home from escaping. Spray foam on the other hand is a more expensive option when compared to batt insulation but it offers almost twice the level of insulation. Spray foam and loose fill insulation may be the best options since the winters in MA are tough.

It is best to consult a specialized contractor in home insulation in Plymouth, MA since there are some areas that require special insulation materials, for instance, foam rubber sleeves created for plumbing pipes in the exterior of your home.

Dr. Energy Saver South Shore specializes in home insulation in Plymouth, MA as well as other surrounding areas. Visit them online to schedule a whole-house energy audit.

Dr. Energy Saver South Shore Joins Largest Energy Savings Network in Country

Tue, February 14 2012, 00:00:00 -500

Rockland, MA- Dr. Energy Saver South Shore is the most recent addition to the country-wide network of energy specialists. They are the energy expert serving the Greater Plymouth area in and around Duxbury, Scituate, Hanover, Kingston, and all surrounding areas.

These experts hold more than15 years of experience in helping Massachusetts homeowners with improving their homes through restoration services. This franchisee is an addition to the renowned Able Restoration company.

Now offering home energy services, these home science specialists provide an extensive home energy audit to identify where a home is using, losing, and wasting energy.

In addition to this home energy audit, they are also certified to provide the necessary repairs and upgrades. They target air leakage, insufficient insulation, water conservation, and more! Below is a list of several more of the services this franchisee provides its customers.

Air Sealing
Home Insulation
Water Heater Installation and Repair
HVAC
Ductwork
Replacement Windows
Radiant Barriers
And more!

Dr. Energy Saver is a network of the energy-conservation contractors across the country that specializes in conducting energy and comfort assessments quickly and efficiently. All Dr. Energy Saver franchisees are fully trained at the corporate headquarters in Seymour, Connecticut.

Dr. Energy Saver South Shore provides home energy audits in Plymouth, Duxbury, Scituate, Hanover, Kingston, Carver, Middleboro, Rockland, Rochester, Brockton, and nearby!