Recent Projects - Island Commons

Island Commons
Chebeague Island

About the House

1800’s Cape 
Multiple additions Ell added 1990’s
3,620 sf
7 full time residents, plus staff

Original Cape
Basement with rubble wall foundation
Crawlspace with dirt floor
Enclosed slopes, flat attic, hatch access

Ell Addition
Crawlspace with dirt floor, some poly
Trussed roof with Flat Attic, hatch access

Oil fired Boiler - hot water, cast iron radiators
Water heating – indirect storage, off boiler

Our Analysis 

Assessment Process

• Gather the Team
• Energy Evaluation
• Heating: Hot Water Systems Evaluation
• Develop Master Plan
• Community Education: Residents, Staff, and Board Members
  
  

Moisture Issues

• Major ice dams, water/drainage, comfort
• Basement — wet
  
• Crawlspace with dirt floors - Bulk moisture source

​Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) Issues

• Crawlspace @ Ell
• Leaking pipes and poor vapor barrier

Attic

• Insulation look for type, level and quality
• Thermal Bypasses
• Utilities, pipe chases

Findings and Recommendations

Structural repairs, leaks 
Bulk moisture – dirt floors, water seepage, open bulkheads
IAQ – central vac exhaust 
Little to no or ineffective insulation 
LOTS of air leakage
Water heating options
Heating system – fine tune operation

​Master Plan - Holistic and Phased Approach

​Phase 1 – Building Durability/Water Issues

• Address drainage issues
• Install doors at bulkheads
• Structural repairs, fix leaks

Phase 2 – Moisture Mitigation & IAQ

• Exhaust central vacuum to outside
• Install vapor barriers 
• Install make-up air for boiler
• Insulate foundation walls and sills

Phase 3 – Ventilation and Building Envelope 

• Install high quality bath fans w/ timer controls
• Air seal – Insulate attics, building connections
• Radon testing

Phase 4 – Water Heating
Phase 5 – Heating System Improvements

Results
Air Leakage Reduced by 48% – almost half
Improved Comfort, IAQ, and Building Durability
Minimized ice dam issues
​Substantially Reduced Heating Costs

Building Durability & Water Issues
​Moisture Mitigation & IAQ

Ventilation & Building Envelope Improvements

Air Sealing – Insulation