Renovating a basement space is a great way to increase the living area of your home. However, transforming a Maine basement into a living area should only be considered after all moisture and soil gas concerns have been addressed. Use this checklist as a guide. If in doubt, hire a qualified professional, or contact the…
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By Heather Chandler Thinking about a getaway? In need of a little rest and relaxation? How about a healing yoga retreat that combines time away with a healthy serving of yoga and relaxation? There’s no need to go far. Check out the list below for five options in Maine and one in Western Massachusetts that will…
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Time and technology are changing. What’s the best heat for your house? The numbers are dropping fast, but roughly seven in 10 Maine homes still rely on oil as the primary heating fuel. So the recent sharp drop in wholesale petroleum prices has many homeowners wondering whether it’s worthwhile to convert from heating oil or kerosene to other fuels.…
DetailsHeather Chandler publishes the 10th edition of her annual SunriseGuide just in time for Christmas. On December 17, 2015, SunriseGuide owner and founder Heather Chandler was interviewed by Edward Murphy for the Portland Press Herald’s weekly business section feature, A Word with the Boss. Read the full story here.
DetailsSimple strategies for extending your growing season by Lisa Wolff It’s a Saturday afternoon in July and Eliot Coleman is sitting atop his picnic table under a grape arbor on the terrace of his Harborside, Maine farm. He is sipping port wine, wearing felted slipper boots adorned with bright orange carrots, made for him by his neighbor. The…
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The age of the air source heat pump By Tux Turkel Transformational. That’s a word to describe the heating transition in Maine a half-century ago, when home-owners started saying goodbye to their coal bins and hello to oil tanks. Compared to coal, oil was cleaner, more convenient and more efficient. In 2015, we may be on…
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It’s often repeated that a heat pump works like a refrigerator, and it heats your home like a refrigerator in reverse. But how many people know how a refrigerator works? This is how Dana Fischer, the residential program manager at Efficiency Maine, explains what’s going on. The basis for both devices is to move heat energy from one…
DetailsBy Heather Chandler I became the proud owner of an all electric Nissan LEAF in April, 2014. I have a level 2 (220 volt) charging station installed on the side of my house adjacent to the driveway, which means I can plug in when I get home each day and then leave the house with a…
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With the Winter chill in the air, we decided to catch up with Scott Libby, owner of Royal River Heat Pumps in Freeport to learn more about heat pumps and how evolving technology can help us efficiently heat our homes. SRG: What is a heat pump and why are they so popular right now? SL:…
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Awards Honor Individuals, Organizations or Businesses Who Demonstrated Commitment to Environmental Sustainability in 2015 PORTLAND, MAINE – (March 24, 2016) Scarborough High School’s Environmental Club “ECOS” and Portland’s East Brown Cow Management captured the 2016 awards for overall excellence at this year’s eco-Excellence Awards on March 23. “We are proud to recognize both of these…
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