Before & After Photos

Heating a home during the winter can be expensive, and if you have an open crawl space, you're virtually burning money. A crawl space without insulation leads to cold air coming in through your foundation during the winter and hot air warming your home during the summer. Looking to save money on their energy bill and protect the health of their home year-round, this York, ME, homeowner called Dr. Energy Saver by TC Hafford Basement Systems for a free estimate.

System Design Specialist Nima Farshid worked with the homeowner to test how energy-efficient their home is with a Blower Door Test. A Blower Door Test measures how much air leaks in or out of a building, helping the homeowner and Nima have a better understanding of what needs to be done to the home. Encapsulating the crawl space was the first step in the plan, so CleanSpace with Drainage Matting was laid down, creating an inorganic seal between the crawl space and the earth. Vent Covers were installed to close off vents that would otherwise let outside air flow right into the crawl space. SprayFoam was installed on the walls and rim joists to insulate the crawl space. SprayFoam is a closed-cell foam that is not only a thermal barrier but also a powerful moisture barrier since it does not absorb water.

With the crawl space encapsulated with CleanSpace and sealed with SprayFoam, the homeowner now owns a more energy-efficient home that is healthier, and they no longer have to deal with cold floors in the winter and a humid crawl space during the summer.

This Cape Neddick, ME, homeowner had been dealing with cold floors due to an uninsulated crawl space. Wanting to save money on their energy bills and make their home more energy efficient, the homeowner called TC Hafford Basement Systems for a free estimate. Dr. Energy Saver System Design Specialist Josh Hamel met with the homeowner to work with them to design an energy-saving system for their home. Closed cell SprayFoam was installed along the rim joists and on the walls to insulate the crawl space. Cold air is kept out and warm air in, keeping the homeowners floors warmer in the winter without the need to spend money keeping the heat on in their home higher than it needs to be.

Too little attic insulation and too much air leakage can waste a great deal of energy, leading to an uncomfortable home and higher energy bills. TruSoft Cellulose insulation reduces heating and cooling bills by as much as 32 percent (based on a study by The Leominster Housing Authority), meets and exceeds fire-resistance testing, and is a “green” product as the material contains 85 percent recycled paper that would otherwise end up in a landfill.

This Wells, ME, homeowner was ready to insulate their attic and save money on their energy bill, so they scheduled a free estimate with Dr. Energy Saver by TC Hafford Basment Systems. System Design Specialist Nima Farshid worked with the homeowner to design an energy-efficient system that would make their home healthier and more comfortable. First, their attic was sealed with ZypFoam where necessary and haft-inch Foamax. After the area was finished being sealed, TruSoft Cellulose insulation was blown into the space to insulate the attic and create a home that would be warmer in the winter and keep the AC in during the hot summer months.

A homeowner in Kennebunkport, Maine, reached out to TC Hafford Basement Systems after an energy audit revealed that their home was losing significant heat through both the attic and basement. We installed Dr. Energy Saver spray foam in both areas, TrueSoft cellulose to insulate the attic floor, and Zip Foam for air sealing. The improvements resulted in a much more comfortable and energy-efficient home.

This Westbrook, ME, homeowner had a unique problem on their hands. Not only did they have a basement with water coming in, but they also had an attached crawl space that wasn’t sealed, and a Blower Door Test proved that they had air leaking. Their basement was wet, and their energy bills were higher than they should be to keep the home warm during the winter months. The homeowner needed help and booked a free estimate with TC Hafford Basement Systems, which offers Dr. Energy Saver and can take care of all of the issues in the basement and crawl space at one time.

Waterproofing the Basement

Before making the basement more energy efficient, the area needed to be waterproofed. A WaterGuard perimeter drain was installed to capture groundwater and channel it to the new TripleSafe Sump Pump. The TripleSafe includes two Zoeller sumps with the addition of a battery-powered backup to protect the homeowner in the case of a power outage. The TripleSafe was connected to a Buried Discharge line that takes the water far away from the home and is protected against ice buildup with IceGuard.

Sealing the Crawl Space

The crawl space had a dirt floor and needed to be encapsulated to seal off the area from the outside elements. Drainage Matting was laid down and CleanSpace was installed on top and attached to the walls. CleanSpace is a durable vapor barrier that keeps moisture out of the area along with small critters that could cause issues. Once CleanSpace with Drainage Matting is installed, the homeowner is able to use the area for storage, and their belongings will be protected against the elements.

Making the Space More Energy-Efficient

To create a more energy-efficient area, the space needed to be insulated better than it was before. Two-inch-thick Foamax Board was installed along the basement walls to trap in heat and work to keep the cold out. Next, SprayFoam was installed along the rim joists and on the walls of the crawl space to insulate the area. Closed Cell SprayFoam insulates better than open cell and doesn’t absorb water, meaning it acts as a vapor barrier as well.

After waterproofing the basement, encapsulating the crawl space, and making the area more energy-efficient, the homeowner is happy knowing their home is protected.