Choosing The Right Contractor For Insulation

Selecting the Right Insulation Contractor in Maine


Choosing the right insulation contractor is vital for ensuring that your home’s energy upgrades lead to real benefits like reduced energy bills and enhanced comfort. The selection process, however, can be daunting. It is not just about finding someone who can install insulation but finding a partner who understands the complexities of maintaining a balanced indoor environment in Maine's varied climate.


The Importance of Expertise and Equipment


Hiring a contractor with specific experience in spray foam insulation and other energy-efficient technologies is essential. Contractors with inadequate experience or outdated equipment may not achieve the tight seal necessary for maximum energy savings, leading to potential issues such as uneven heating and cooling or moisture problems. Additionally, proper equipment is crucial for ensuring that the insulation is applied safely and effectively, adhering to the latest industry standards.


Benefits of Working with Efficiency Maine Approved Contractors


Efficiency Maine approved contractors are not only vetted for their skills and reliability but also for their adherence to energy-efficient practices. These contractors:

  • Receive ongoing training on the latest insulation techniques and materials.
  • Can help homeowners navigate the various rebates and financial incentives available, ensuring that you get the best possible deal on your insulation project.
  • Are familiar with local building codes and can ensure that all work is compliant, an essential consideration for maintaining the value and safety of your home.


Understanding Spray Foam Insulation


Spray foam insulation offers one of the most effective barriers against Maine’s harsh weather, but understanding its application and benefits can help you make informed decisions about your home’s energy needs.


How Spray Foam Insulation Works


This insulation type is applied as a liquid that quickly expands to fill the cavities in walls, floors, and ceilings. As it expands, it forms an airtight seal that significantly reduces the unwanted air exchange that can lead to high heating and cooling costs. The material also has excellent moisture-resistant properties, preventing common issues like mold and mildew.


Key Areas for Spray Foam Application


In addition to the common areas like attics and external walls, consider insulating:

  • Garage ceilings and walls if they are adjacent to conditioned spaces.
  • Spaces around electrical outlets and light fixtures, where air leaks can occur.
  • The junctions where walls meet floors, significantly reducing potential draft areas.


Efficiency Maine Rebate Programs Explained


Efficiency Maine offers robust rebate programs designed to make home insulation upgrades both accessible and affordable for homeowners across the state. These incentives are part of a concerted effort to increase energy efficiency and reduce overall energy costs for Maine residents.


How the Program Works


Efficiency Maine’s rebate programs provide financial assistance for a variety of home energy improvements, including comprehensive insulation upgrades. Homeowners can benefit from rebates that cover a significant portion of the project costs, with rebates starting at a minimum of 40% and potentially covering up to 100% based on the specific project and applicant eligibility.


Steps to Qualify for Rebates


To maximize the benefits of these rebates, homeowners should follow these steps:

  1. Home Energy Audit: Begin with a professional energy audit performed by a certified auditor. This audit will identify critical areas where insulation can have the most impact on energy conservation and comfort.
  2. Selecting a Qualified Contractor: It’s essential to choose a contractor who is approved by Efficiency Maine to ensure that the insulation work meets the program’s standards for quality and efficiency. These contractors are familiar with the program’s requirements and can guide homeowners through the rebate process.
  3. Application and Documentation: After the upgrades are completed, homeowners need to submit the necessary documentation, including proof of work and expenditure. Efficiency Maine reviews these submissions to verify that the work meets their standards before issuing the rebate.



By following these steps, homeowners can significantly reduce the financial burden of home insulation projects, making essential energy efficiency upgrades more feasible and rewarding.


The High Cost of Under-Insulation in Maine Homes


The impact of under-insulation in homes extends beyond discomfort. Inefficient energy use not only leads to higher utility costs but also places a greater strain on the environment. Proper insulation mitigates these issues by maintaining stable indoor temperatures, reducing the need for continuous heating or cooling.


Take Action: Enhance Your Home’s Efficiency!


Improving your home's insulation is one of the most cost-effective ways to enhance energy efficiency and comfort. Contact Mattra, Efficiency Maine approved contractor today by filling out our get-started form or by calling us at 207-777-6020 for a free estimate and eligibility assessment.


With the right upgrades, you can enjoy a more comfortable home and lower energy bills.

Start the Efficiency Maine Application

Maine Attic Nightmares: Condensation, Mold, and Protecting Your Home

By Mattra Inc • August 18, 2025
That musty smell. The faint water stains on your attic ceiling. Maybe you’ve even spotted some unwelcome dark spots. If you’re a Maine homeowner, especially in our older homes, these could be signs of a serious problem brewing in your attic: condensation leading to mold growth. It's a more common issue than you might think, and it can have significant consequences for your home’s health and your wallet. Why is your Maine attic suddenly feeling like a rainforest? The culprit is often a perfect storm of factors we see frequently here at Mattra: a lack of proper air sealing and insufficient insulation. Think of your warm, humid indoor air rising into the colder attic space. Without proper air barriers, this warm, moisture-laden air sneaks through cracks and openings around wiring, plumbing, and light fixtures. Once this warm, moist air hits the cold surfaces in your uninsulated attic – like the roof sheathing – it cools rapidly. Just like water beading on a cold glass on a summer day, this cooling air releases its excess moisture in the form of condensation. And in a Maine winter, those surfaces stay cold for a long time! Several other common issues exacerbate this problem. That uninsulated attic hatch? It’s a direct pathway for warm, humid air to escape. An uninsulated chimney acts as another cold surface where condensation can form. And those bathroom and dryer vents that aren’t properly ducted to the outside? They’re pumping even more moisture directly into your attic – a recipe for disaster. So, what happens when all this condensation builds up? That’s where mold enters the picture. Mold spores are everywhere, both indoors and out. They thrive in damp, dark environments with organic materials to feed on – like the wood in your attic. Consistent condensation provides the perfect breeding ground. As mold grows, it doesn't just create unsightly stains and that telltale musty odor. It actively deteriorates the materials it grows on. Over time, mold can weaken the structural integrity of your roof sheathing and rafters, leading to costly repairs. It can also damage any stored items in your attic. Beyond the structural damage, mold growth can also impact your indoor air quality. Mold spores can become airborne and circulate throughout your home, potentially triggering allergic reactions, asthma symptoms, and other respiratory issues for you and your family. As a licensed vendor with Efficiency Maine , we understand the importance of a healthy home environment. The good news? These attic issues are often fixable! Proper air sealing prevents that warm, humid air from entering the attic in the first place. Adequate insulation helps maintain a more consistent temperature in the attic, reducing those cold surfaces where condensation forms. Insulating the attic hatch and chimney are crucial details often overlooked. And ensuring your bathroom and dryer vents are correctly ducted to the exterior is essential for removing excess moisture from your home. Addressing attic condensation and mold growth is an investment in your home's long-term health and your family's well-being. If you suspect you have an issue in your Maine attic, don't wait for the problem to worsen. Contact the experts at Mattra right here in Lewiston. We can assess your attic, identify the sources of condensation, and recommend the best solutions for mold remediation and preventing future problems through proper air sealing and insulation. Protecting your Maine home starts from the top down!

Blower Door Test

By Mattra Inc • April 3, 2025
Is Your Home Under-Insulated and Leaky? A Blower Door Test Can Tell You Many Maine homeowners don’t realize just how much money is flying out the window—literally. Drafty rooms, cold floors, and rising energy bills are often signs of poor insulation and hidden air leaks. But how do you know where your home is losing heat? A blower door test is one of the most effective tools to identify under-insulated and under-sealed areas in your home. Let’s explore how it works, why it matters, and what steps you can take to improve your home’s energy efficiency—and unlock valuable Efficiency Maine rebates in the process. What Is a Blower Door Test? A blower door test uses a powerful fan, mounted into an exterior doorway, to pull air out of your home and lower the indoor air pressure. This forces outside air in through any cracks or gaps in the building envelope. The result? A clear picture of where your home is leaking air. This test measures air changes per hour (ACH) and identifies weak points in insulation and air sealing. It helps assess how well your home keeps conditioned air in—and the outdoor elements out. An experienced technician can use this data to recommend targeted upgrades, saving you money on heating and cooling costs. How to Pass a Blower Door Test: Key Air Sealing Tips Passing a blower door test doesn’t require a full renovation—it’s about sealing the right places effectively. Here are the most common areas to focus on: 🪟 Windows and Doors Install weather stripping Use caulk or foam sealant around frames Check for gaps in thresholds or broken seals 🧱 Attics and Ceilings Seal around light fixtures and access hatches Insulate attic floors and rafters Use foam board or spray foam in hard-to-reach corners 🧰 Basements and Crawlspaces Seal rim joists with spray foam Insulate basement walls and floors Cover and seal crawlspace vents and doors 🧹 Floors and Walls Fill gaps around pipes, wiring, and ducts Seal baseboards and floor edges Add insulation in wall cavities if accessible By addressing these common problem areas, you can drastically improve your blower door test results and the overall comfort of your home. Why Blower Door Testing Matters Blower door tests aren’t just for code compliance—they’re a diagnostic tool to understand your home's efficiency. When performed by professionals, these tests: Reveal hidden air leaks Provide data for insulation and air sealing improvements Help reduce energy bills Improve indoor comfort and air quality Support home energy audit documentation During the test, technicians record the building's air leakage rate using calibrated gauges. Smoke pencils or infrared cameras may also be used to visualize the leaks. This ensures your energy upgrade dollars go exactly where they’re needed most. Mattra Handles It All—Testing, Air Sealing, and Insulation Ready to make your home more energy-efficient? Mattra offers professional blower door tests. At Mattra, we don’t just tell you what needs to be fixed—we do the work for you. As a licensed insulation and air sealing contractor, we can take your blower door test results and turn them into real improvements. From sealing drafty basements to upgrading attic insulation, our team handles every step in-house. That means fewer headaches for you—and faster results. Plus, we’ll help you navigate the Efficiency Maine rebate process , so you can maximize your savings without lifting a finger. One test. One team. One solution. Let Mattra make your home warmer, tighter, and more energy efficient—starting today.