Dead River Co.’s Presque Isle open house
to showcase energy efficiency
PRESQUE ISLE — Presque Isle-area residents will receive cost-saving tips on energy-efficient home improvements at Dead River Co.’s open house Wednesday, June 15.
The event will feature a four-foot square model house built by high school students at the Presque Isle Regional Career and Technical Center (PIRCTC). Open house attendees are invited to have a free lunch while they watch energy audit demonstrations using the custom model home.
Dead River Co.’s Presque Isle office, located at 580 Main St., is hosting a community open house from 11 a.m.-2 p.m. and features a barbeque and the chance to win prizes like a propane grill or tickets to Feed The County Summerfest. Energy technicians will be providing helpful information while answering questions about weatherization and heating system modifications. Through an energy audit demonstration, the four-foot square model house will illustrate for attendees the areas of any home where energy can escape, rising heating or cooling costs.
“The PIRCTC students did a very impressive job building this model home for Dead River Co. and we appreciate their commitment to the project,” said Mark Wilcox, district manager of Dead River’s Presque Isle office. “We’re thrilled to be able to show off the students’ work at our open house through our demonstrations of how air flows through the home and where it can escape.”
Construction of the model house was led by PIRCTC instructors Spencer Bragan and Jim Ouellette who worked with Wilcox on the design. The student builders visited the Dead River Co. office for a pizza party and a lesson in energy efficiency when the model was delivered in the spring. The open house will be Dead River Co.’s first highly public opportunity to showcase the new exhibit.
David Maher, Dead River Co.’s Building Performance Institute (BPI)-certified energy audit technician, will use an infrared camera in the model house to show the circulation of air throughout the rooms. This is the same type of technology he uses during actual energy audits.
“Thin or poorly laid insulation in a house’s walls or ceilings can dramatically change the entire pattern of airflow in a house, resulting in hot and cold spots,” said Maher. “A homeowner’s up-front investment in repairs and weatherization will result in significant long-term savings on heating bills.”
Any open house attendee who receives an energy audit by Maher and subsequently contracts with Dead River Co. to implement any of the suggested changes will receive a rebate for up to the full cost of their audit. Dead River is also working in conjunction with Efficiency Maine to assist residents in communities participating in the PACE Loan Program – like Presque Isle, Houlton and Fort Kent – in making renovations to their homes. The PACE Loan Program provides low-interest loans for weatherization improvements and heating system upgrades.
The Dead River Co.’s Presque Isle office will celebrate its community open house June 15. Anyone interested in learning more about energy efficiency is welcome to stop by anytime between 11 a.m. and 2 p.m.; no RSVP is necessary. Area residents who would like to donate a non-perishable food item to Catholic Charities of Maine’s Feed the County initiative can drop it off at the Presque Isle office, as well. Individuals who would like more information about the open house or BPI-certified energy audits can call 207-769-2931. More information about Dead River Co. is online at www.deadriver.com.
