Old Home Renewal:

Deep Energy Efficiency Upgrades

on Islesboro

Bill Thomas

Vice Chair, Islesboro Energy Committee

Islesboro Energy Conference

10.14.2023

Introduction:

Bill Thomas,

Vice Chair of Town Energy Committee

• Considerable success in reducing the town energy costs through improved efficiency
• Recently received a $100,000 nationally competitive Energy Prize to broaden that work throughout the community
• Much of what I will share today is based on our work for the town.

• Our home was built in 1840
• When we inherited the house, it was literally unheatable
• Today our home is nearly completely electrified, and yet we have not paid for electricity in 4 years

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Also…

an island homeowner with personal experience in making our home energy efficient

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What I will share today is also based on that personal experience.

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Steps to improved energy efficiency

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• Energy audit
• Weatherize
• Insulate
• Improve the efficiency of household appliances
• Reduce waste
• Solarize
• Local backup (for resiliency)

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Energy Audit

• Seek a well respected local company
• Typically free
• Should include a blower door test with infrared imagery
• Should identify areas of concern

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Blower door test

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Weatherizing: stop air leaks

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Heat Flow & Insulation

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Heat source

Heat source

Heat source

Quality of Insulation

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• LED lights (replace incandescent, halogen and fluorescent bulbs)
• Heat pump hot water heater (replace gas and electric water heaters)
• Heat pump heat (replace oil and gas furnaces)
• Insulate pipes (especially hot water)
• Shorten hot water runs
• Choose EnergyStar appliances

Improve Efficiency

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• Turn off unnecessary lights (possibly timers and sensors)
• Set back thermostats (automatic set backs)
• Wear sweaters indoors in the winter
• Use wind, not air conditioners in the summer
• Wash clothes in warm water with cold rinse
• Hang clothes out to dry in sun and wind
• Don’t let water run while washing dishes and brushing teeth

Reduce Waste

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• Favor large, double-glazed south-facing windows
• Minimize north facing window area (triple glaze when possible, window inserts and/or storms)
• Choose dark, heat-absorbing flooring in sunny areas
• Roof overhangs to permit winter solar uptake and block summer sun
• Insulated curtains to close at night
• Install solar panels
• Wind turbine where practical

Solarize

• Propane generator
• Battery back up
• Combination of the two (short term battery; longer term generator)
• Wood heat option

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Emergency Backup

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