Background
In 2005, Marie and Ken Kevorkian purchased their forever home in Derry, New Hampshire – a nearly 2,000 square foot raised ranch with four bedrooms and two and a half bathrooms. Built in 1987, the house was ideal for raising a family and running an at-home daycare. However, as they approached retirement, the Kevorkians began noticing inefficiencies in the nearly 40-year-old home. They needed a cost-effective solution to improve comfort and help reduce energy bills.
After receiving a mailer about the NHSaves® Home Energy Assistance (HEA) program, Marie applied. The HEA program helps income-eligible homeowners and renters in New Hampshire reduce their energy use by covering 100 percent of the cost to weatherize a home or apartment and replace inefficient equipment. Once approved, they were connected with Turn Cycle Solutions, an Eversource-approved contractor, to assess their home’s energy efficiency needs.
Approximate energy savings:
- Annual gallons of oil reduced: 346
- Incentive received: $15,000
Goal
The primary goal for the Kevorkians was to identify areas where they could reduce their energy consumption while improving comfort and efficiency.
Result
Turn Cycle Solutions began with a home energy audit to identify key areas for improvement. Based on their findings, they created a customized plan for energy efficiency upgrades, which included:
- Insulation. More than 1,200 square feet of insulation was added throughout the home, including the basement ceiling, garage ceiling, attic and behind the stairs.
- Air sealing and weatherstripping. Weatherstripping and air sealing were added to close gaps, reducing energy loss and drafts.
- Energy-efficient appliances. An ENERGY STAR® certified bathroom exhaust fan was installed, which uses 50 percent less energy than standard models, helping to control moisture levels and improve indoor air quality.
After completing the upgrades, Turn Cycle Solutions conducted a final blower door test to measure the home’s air leakage and found that it had improved by 30 percent. Marie noticed a difference inside the house as well — no more drafts, no more frozen pipes and a more consistent indoor temperature, even in hallways.
Thanks to the HEA program and $15,000 in incentives from Eversource, the Kerkovians expect to save over 346 gallons of heating oil annually, and their home is now more energy-efficient, comfortable and affordable to maintain. It’s the perfect setting for their retirement years.
“As retirees on a fixed income, who are also helping raise our grandchildren, having this resource available to us was a huge stress reliever. Working with Eversource and Turn Cycle Solutions was great! Everyone was professional and respectful and didn’t make a mess. If given the opportunity, I’d work with them again on future projects.” – Owner, Marie Kevorkian