Blue Hill, Maine - Thanks to a grant from the Stephen and Tabitha King Foundation, as well as funding from the Friends of the Blue Hill Library and other private sources, the Blue Hill Library has completed a weatherization of its facility. The library building’s “heat envelope” was upgraded, allowing it to become more weather-tight and retain nearly 40% more heat in the winter.
In 2011, an energy audit using blower door testing and infrared imagery revealed significant gaps in the attic insulation, and areas around windows, vents and the basement sill where air infiltration occurs. In addition there were numerous areas where gaps in the structure were allowing air to also move easily between floors, robbing those areas of intended heating or cooling.
The work was performed by Eastern Building Performance, LLC. Initial tests show a reduction from 13,300 CFM (cubic feet per minute) of air infiltration down to 8,400 CFM. Bruce Stahnke, an architect who volunteered time to help with the project stated, “The aggregate holes that were closed in the building envelope are approximately equal to 2' x 2' opening, resulting in a decrease of 37% of air infiltration. The projected annual fuel savings for seasonal heating is approximately $3,244 based on a typical year and today's wood pellet prices.” Library officials also expect to save a significant amount in electricity costs because of reduced demand for air conditioning and heat distribution.
Two years ago the library converted to a wood pellet-based heating system, which alone resulted in cost savings up to 50% compared to the cost of heating oil. Switching to wood pellets and tightening the building could save the library a combined 70% off annual heating costs.
An image taken during the 2011 energy audit that shows heat escaping between the main building and an added-on wing
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