Case Studies

A Comfortable Home, Ten Years On

How Sam and Linda Transformed Their Freeport, Maine Home with …

From Cold and Leaky to Warm and Efficient: A Rockland Home Reimagined

How Jay and Rebecca Prioritized Comfort, Efficiency, and Their Home’s …

From Damp to Dry — A Westbrook Basement Transformed

Basement Waterproofing in Westbrook, Maine: Heather’s Project with Evergreen Home …

Creating a Comfortable Nest for Baby: Clare and Tim’s Story in Portland

How Clare & Tim Upgraded Their Comfort with New Attic …

Prioritizing Projects for a 19th Century Deering Center Home

Matt and Christa knew that the home they had just purchased in the neighborhood they loved — for the price they could afford — was going to need a lot of work. Their new home was a three-bedroom, one-and-a-half bath, 2,200-square-foot single family structure, built circa 1895 and last updated in the mid-1960s. It still had original plumbing, knob and tube wiring, lath and plaster walls, and a mix of hardwood and pumpkin pine flooring. The original wood stove heating system had been converted to an oil boiler with single pipe steam radiators. The house had no insulation to speak of — unless you count the many layers of wallpaper covering the walls.

Making a 2005 Palermo, ME Home Comfortable with Insulation & Air Sealing

After purchasing a home in Palermo, ME, the homeowner, Denise, quickly realized there were some serious issues. During the winter, the boiler was running for over 20 hours a day, and the master bedroom was still cold, despite having a dedicated baseboard radiator and thermostat (the previous homeowners used the boiler, an LP Fireplace insert, and two wood stoves to stay warm). The final straw was when an upstairs baseboard radiator froze and then burst, sending water flooding into the main floor and basement.

A Profound Difference Worth Every Penny

When Nancy fell in love with this 24-year-young gambrel-style house, she threw herself into personalizing it with cosmetic upgrades that made it hers. But worrying about heating bills and uneven temperatures kept her from fully enjoying her home. “When my pipes froze, I knew I needed to do something,” says Nancy. “I’d seen the Evergreen signs around, so I knew exactly who to call.”

Eliminating Basement Moisture – and Anxiety

Wyatt and Emily hadn’t lived in their 1930s bungalow very long before they called Evergreen. From “crazy ice dams” to basement moisture, they had a list of concerns that weren’t going away – or allowing them to fully enjoy their home. “It didn’t seem like the house was about to fall down, but it didn’t seem sustainable either,” says Wyatt.

Planning for Sustainable Comfort

When Hans & Jen bought this beautiful gambrel in the heart of Brooks, they aimed to turn the “beautiful – but drafty as all get-out” house into a cozy, dry home. They scheduled an energy audit and got right to work on efficiency upgrades, and like many homeowners, they’re working in phases.

Being Environmentally Responsible – and Financially Savvy

When Matt & Patsy bought their first house, they knew the 1890 New Englander needed work. “The bones were solid, but there were a lot of issues,” Matt reports, including a wet basement, drafty rooms, and high energy usage that worried their budget and their consciences.

Investing in Comfort – and Savings

Jen grew up spending summers down the road from this Cushing, Maine cottage, so she snapped it up when it went on the market in 1985. But transforming it into a cozy home took years. She moved walls, reconfigured rooms, and renovated the living space, but didn’t know where to start on energy efficiency. “I was afraid that if I did something myself, I’d do the wrong thing and make it worse.”

Aging in Place, Warm & Cozy

Vera and her husband built this log cabin in Cushing, Maine 30 years ago and had always heated with wood they cut on their own land. But when her husband passed away, Vera couldn’t keep up with the chopping and hauling. She began relying on the oil furnace – and noticing all the drafts. “It’s been such a cold home, and I knew I couldn’t keep living there if I couldn’t get it warm,” says Vera.