Prevent Frozen Pipes This Winter With Insulation
July 10, 2026
Sub-freezing days are common during the winter in Central Maine. In unprotected homes, frozen pipes are always a possibility during this time. Frozen pipes can be an inconvenience at best, or result in disastrous and expensive water damage at worst. Taking steps to prevent them is essential for all homeowners in the region. Insulation is
READ MoreWhy You Should Insulate BEFORE Getting a Heat Pump
July 6, 2026
When installed properly, heat pumps can be an efficient way to heat and cool your home. Many Mainers invest in them because of the sizable rebates available through Efficiency Maine. These systems depend on a well-sealed and -insulated home to perform at their best. If you’re planning on installing one, one of the best ways
READ MoreIndoor Air Quality In My Home
August 21, 2025
Predictable humidity in your home is PROVEN to make you healthier. Do you or your family struggle with allergies, asthma, frequent sickness? It might not just be the season—it could be your house. Hidden leaks in your walls, attic, and basement let in dust, pollen, mold spores, and other irritants. This also effects the indoor
READ MoreWhy Insulation Is Important and When To Replace It
July 13, 2025
Insulation is one of those parts of a home that’s easy to overlook. It’s hidden behind walls, above ceilings, and beneath floors—out of sight, out of mind. And since insulation typically doesn’t require regular upkeep, many homeowners forget it’s even there. But like all building materials, insulation doesn’t last forever. Upgrading your insulation can have
READ MoreRadon Resistant New Construction
June 17, 2025
Did you know? Maine has adopted Radon-Resistant New Construction (RRNC) standards-designed to stop radon from entering your home through the soil. Also adopted: IRC Appendix F (2021). Now, new one- and two-family homes must pass a radon test (< 4.0 pCi/L) to be considered code-compliant. Radon is the second leading cause of Lung Cancer in
READ MoreRadon Testing
March 4, 2025
Radon is a natural radioactive gas that comes from the ground. It has no smell, color, or taste, but it can build up in homes, especially in basements. Breathing in too much radon over time can cause lung cancer. Radon is very common in Maine, and Efficiency Maine allows radon testing costs to be included
READ MoreStack Effect
January 29, 2025
The weather is calling for -6 degrees Saturday in Central Maine. The temperature difference (delta T) between inside and outside will be in excess of 70 degrees in most homes. This has an affect on the “stack effect” If your home has poor air sealing and a temperature difference (ΔT), the stack effect can cause
READ MoreIndoor Air Quality
January 21, 2025
Testing indoor air quality helps identify pollutants like VOCs, mold, allergens, and radon, improving comfort, energy efficiency, and preventing long-term issues. It enables informed decisions for a healthier home or workplace. We can advise through chemical identification a plan for removal, or mitigation. Lakewood Home Energy offers a wide variety of environmental testing. Furthermore, included
READ More3 Paths to 2015 IECC Energy Code Compliance
January 8, 2025
There is still confusion regarding the Energy Code Maine has adopted. In an effort to promote understanding, I have tried to summarize the different paths as simply as possible so that homeowners can understand. Prescriptive path is by far the most common. Its easiest to think of this like a checklist. There are many parts
READ MoreMid Construction Blower Door Testing
January 5, 2025
This stage of blower door test depressurizes or pressurizes the home to identify issues with the air barrier and is implemented at mid-construction. It indicates if the proposed building airtightness target is likely to be met at time of completion. It is not a code requirement but is useful to determine if the home is
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