Energy Efficiency Archives | The Green Cocoon

Insulate Your Home and Save Money

Cellulose, Energy Efficiency, Insulation, News, Save Money, Spray Foam

The fall has officially arrived in New England and winter is approaching quickly! With temperatures already slipping below freezing in some areas, the thought of high heating costs is on our minds. Insulate your home and save money. By adding or upgrading your insulation can save money on heating costs, thus making your home more energy efficient. By using Efficiency Maine, you can save up to $3,000 by upgrading the insulation in your home!

The Green Cocoon is located just over the border in Massachusetts, but we also service our sister states like Maine. Maine is known for its diverse landscapes, lighthouses, and its delicious bounty from the sea. However, it is also known for its harsh winters. And, that has many homeowners bracing themselves for indoor drafts, cold floors, and hard-to-heat rooms. What if you didn’t have to put up with these home comfort pains this winter?

Why Upgrade My Home’s Insulation?

Many Maine homeowners don’t realize just how effective insulation can be at making their homes more comfortable and efficient. Insulation in key areas like the attic, basement, and exterior walls slows heat transfer into and out of the home. This means that in the winter, that valuable heat you’ve paid for stays inside your home, right where you want it. Cellulose and spray foam insulation are especially effective insulation materials (which is why we install them in homes here in Maine!)

With the right insulation upgrades, you can expect benefits like:

Fewer drafts and cold spots
Warmer floors
Lower annual heating/cooling costs
Enhanced overall comfort
Greater home energy efficiency
Reduced outside noise

When insulation is paired with proper air sealing to eliminate air leaks, the benefits go even further!

Insulate & Save up to $3,800 with Efficiency Maine Rebates

While an insulation upgrade does have an upfront investment, there are valuable local incentives available through Efficiency Maine to offset that cost. As a matter of fact, upgraded insulation helps you save money on your heating bills over time, and insulation has a remarkably short payback period.

Currently, you can receive up to $3,000 on an insulation rebate, $400 on an energy assessment and another $400 when you air seal troubled spots. The Department of Energy graphic below has a useful cross-section diagram illustrating the most common air leakage spots.

Take Advantage of Efficiency Maine Rebates with The Green Cocoon

As a Residential Registered Vendor with Efficiency Maine, we’re here to help homeowners on the southern coast of Maine save on their next insulation project. In addition to assessing the unique insulation needs of your home, we’ll help you determine the rebates for which you qualify.

The Green Cocoon would love to help you. We are just a phone call away at (978) 462-0082.

5 Easy Ways to Increase Energy Efficiency and Save Money

Energy Efficiency, News, Save Money

Home losing heat through roof, windows and doors With winter approaching, The Green Cocoon has five easy ways that homeowners can use to increase energy efficiency and save money, besides using our fabulous spray foam insulation! As the weather gets cooler, your furnace will start to come on and that means you’ll be using more energy. Consequently, your heating bills will increase. Try these five easy DIY (do-it-yourself) projects to help cut down on energy loss and expenses.

Replace worn weather-stripping around doors and windows

Did you know that worn weather-stripping can create drafts and let cold air in? This puts a high demand on your furnace and takes away your comfort. Replacing it takes little time and is a low-cost, high-impact solution.

Caulk around windows to increase energy efficiency

Cracks and crevices are a source of heat loss. They can also be an entryway for water/moisture, as well as for undesired insects. Preventative maintenance, such as caulking, can improve energy efficiency and prevent costly repairs.

Change your furnace filter

A dirty furnace filter means less efficiency and that costs money! Check your furnace filter monthly and if it’s dirty, change it or have it changed. Moreover, have a technician come in and inspect the entire furnace at least once per year.

Update light bulbs to LEDs to save money

LED is a highly energy efficient lighting technology, and has the potential to fundamentally change the future of lighting in the United States. Residential LEDs—especially ENERGY STAR rated products—use at least 75% less energy, and last 25 times longer than incandescent lighting.¹

An automatic thermostat increases energy efficiency and saves money

You can save money and increase energy efficiency on your heating and cooling bills by simply resetting your thermostat when you are asleep or away from home. You can do this automatically without sacrificing comfort by installing an automatic setback or programmable thermostat.

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1 Department of Energy (2019). LED Lighting. Retrieved from energy.gov.

Tax and Rebate Incentives

Energy Efficiency, Insulation, Save Money

Do you live in Southern Maine and are looking to upgrade your existing insulation? If so, Efficiency Maine is currently offering rebates and incentives for energy improvements. This includes air sealing and insulation through the Home Energy Savings Program, which can give you tax and rebate incentives.

Inadequate Insulation

Efficiency Maine data indicates that the majority of Maine homes have inadequate insulation. Furthermore, insulating to recommended levels in Maine attics, basements, and walls can cut heating costs by 40 percent or more.

Qualified Insulation Partner in Maine

The Green Cocoon is proud to be a Qualified Insulation Partner with Efficiency Maine. Go to their website today to find out if you qualify for the program.

Old Farmhouse Gets Facelift in Rye NH

Closed Cell, Energy Efficiency, Insulation, Portfolio, Roxul (Mineral Wool), Spray Foam

The Green Cocoon was thrilled to work on an old farmhouse in Rye, N.H. We used closed cell spray foam on most of the farmhouse.

Brought Up to Current Energy Codes

The house was completely gutted and rebuilt to current energy codes. We made sure that the house was well insulated all around, using spray foam on the roof and exterior walls. We used mineral wool for the interior walls and in the ceilings to help with sound deadening.