(July 2011) - Atlas Home Energy Works with HandsOn Frederick County for the 2nd Year on Your Energy Action House Calls Project

For the second consecutive year, energy auditors from Atlas Home Energy Solutions teamed with local non-profit HandsOn Frederick County (formerly Volunteer Frederick) to participate in the Energy Action House Calls program. The program is a grant funded partnership that gives youth participating in HOFC’s Summer Serve and Summer Serve Express program the opportunity to learn more about home energy auditing and energy efficient improvements. This year’s program had students performing energy audits and energy retrofits in 20 homes owned by Frederick Non-Profit organizations Advocates for Homeless Families and the Way Station.

During the first two weeks of the project students learned the basics of home energy auditing. Students used tools including the blower doors and infrared cameras to test homes for air leaks and insulation deficiencies. Students also inspected the homes for other important including interior moisture damage and proper exterior drainage. During these first weeks, students also made important energy improvements on homes including installing compact fluorescent lighting to replace traditional incandescent, installing water heater insulation and pipe insulation, and insulating and air sealing outlets and electric switches with insulating foam gaskets.

After learning the basics over the first two weeks, students progressed to making more comprehensive improvements like air sealing penetrations, sealing leaky HVAC ductwork, and insulating rim/band joists in unfinished basements. During the last week of the project students were tasked with prepping an attic to receive a fresh layer of fiberglass insulation and the final day concluded with the students actually installing about 10” of new fiberglass in to a home that had very little existing insulation.

The second year of the program was a huge success. The student volunteers had the opportunity to learn valuable techniques that they will be able to take home and implement in their own homes. They also learned more about the emerging field of residential sustainability and we given the opportunity to spend some time working in a field that would be a great career choice as they move on to the next step in their lives.

(April 2011) - Atlas Home Energy Helps the Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC) Implement Home Energy Improvements

The Cumberland Valley Chapter of the Associated Builders (ABCCVC) was recently awarded a generous grant from the Maryland Energy Administration to offer home energy audits and energy efficiency improvements to veterans demonstrating financial need. Through a partnership with the ABCCVC, Atlas Home Energy was selected as the firm that would provide the home energy audit, consulting services, and follow-up testing on the homes. After the process of selecting qualified veterans and completing the intitial audit, a group of students, who had completed an ABC course in home weatherization, were tasked with implementing the recommended energy improvements. Over the course of six weeks in March and April students completed projects including adding insulation in attic and wall cavities, sealing rim/band joists, weatherstripping doors and insulating pipes. This was a great opportunity for Atlas to give back to those who have served our country in the armed services by lending our expertise in residential energy efficiency to the project.

(December 2010) - Atlas Home Energy becomes a Marlyand Home Performance with ENERGY STAR Participating Contractor

In early 2010 Atlas Home Energy Solutions was selected as a participating contractor under the Maryland Home Performance with Energy Star program. This is an exciting step for our customers because it makes them eligible to receive rebates of up to 50% on qualified improvements. For more information about eligible improvement projects and rebates please check this out. Additional information about registering for MD home performance rebates can also be found here.