Energy Retrofits, Upgrades & Weatherization Services

There are many things that can be done to improve a homes efficiency.

A tight building envelope, efficient utility systems and other efficiency measures all contribute to a homes comfort and efficiency. Energy retrofits & Upgrades to your home will improve comfort, lower energy costs and reduce pollution.

Weatherizing your home is one of the most effective energy saving measures you can take. It is also one of the most economical. You will see an immediate return on your energy investment while increasing your homes efficiency and comfort. Best of all, there are rebates and incentives available to help defray the costs.

Second Generation Energy offer full weatherization services. We focus on the envelope of your home — its outer walls, ceiling, windows, doors, and floors. We seal leaks, ducts and add insulation to make the building tighter and more efficient. The result will be lower energy bills, increased comfort and a lighter impact on the environment.

Air Sealing:
The problems or in-efficiency are caused by air infiltration. The building has “holes” that allow air to pass through causing energy loss and discomfort. We locate and close the holes with foam, insulation or caulk. The attic, basement, crawlspace, old windows and around the foundation are the most common problem areas.

After any sealing work is done we recommend having a heating and cooling technician check that your appliances are venting properly.

Adding Insulation:
In most cases, a home that has energy problems is not insulated properly. Insulation works best without air flowing around it so after air sealing, we will thoroughly check your home and add insulation where needed to ensure that it is tight and efficient.
The type of insulation used depends on the place we will be using it. We use fiberglass batts, foam board, spray foam as well as blown-in cellulose. Different areas of your home have different recommended R-Values (the ability to resist heat flow). As it is with most things, it is very important that the insulation is installed correctly, non-compressed and fastened properly.

Sealing Ducts:
An unacceptable amount of energy is lost through poorly sealed, leaky ducts. If you have forced air heating or cooling you may be loosing 20% of the air that passes through the system (epa.gov). This means that higher utility bills and occupant discomfort. We use duct mastic and thermal tape to seal any leaks and where possible, insulation to wrap ducts in un-conditioned spaces (attics, crawlspaces etc).
The result is a more efficient delivery of conditioned air to the desired location in your home with lower utility bills and a higher level of occupant comfort.

After any sealing work is done we recommend having a heating and cooling technician check that your appliances are venting properly.

Weatherization services include:

Caulking
Spray Foam
Air Sealing
Weather Stripping
Duct Sealing
Patching
Adding Insulation
Window repair