Click to read newsletter from Greenfield Community College

” Motivated by the need to fix the cause of ice damming and water leaks and by the desire for a comprehensive energy improvements to my home, I followed in the footsteps of a friend in Greenfield and a Montague neighbor – both energy committee members – hiring Cozy Home Performance, LLC (CHP), a building performance firm based in Easthampton, MA”  Sally Pick Case Study

We are very grateful to have worked with the client, Sally Pick, who is an advocate of building performance industry and a consultant in the environmental and energy conservation fields. Keep your eyes peeled to our blog for the detailed case study written by Sally about this project.

For now, here are some basic photos. Thanks for looking.

Sections of the wall had very poor insulation. The walls connected with uninsulated rafter slopes. After fiberglass was removed, spray foam and cellulose was installed.

The wall connection with closed slopes show airbarrier flaws in an infrared image

This wall area fixed. Notice the spray foam of the rafter tails which reduces ice damming, seals the wall top plate, and stops air-leakage.

A vented crawl space ceiling gets foil face rigid foam board with cellulose dense-packed in the joist bays. Spray foam is used to seal the perimeter. We often take a 'mixed assembly' approach in this way to use the best performance characteristics of each material.

The basement walls were insulated with a relatively 'green', water based blowing agent, closed cell spray foam.

These testimonials arrived just before the Thanksgiving break:

“Is fortunate were we, Sue and I, to have worked with you and CHP. I am most sure we will ALL be most happy with the results. Your crew- everyone , most professional, friendly, and knowledgeable of all that “thermal stuff” ! I hope you and your company have a good year. Thanks. “

-Residential retrofit, Nov. 2011  Wibraham MA

“We could not be happier with Cozy Home Performance.  You performed an in depth energy analysis and I learned a lot more about my home.   Your team (Brian and Randy) always came on time, were very professional, even putting up with our dogs, and completed work ahead of schedule.  You have been responsive, happy to explain and answer questions, and have done excellent quality work.  You made getting rebates from Mass Save easy, and helped us with what we needed to get the tax savings.  Best of all, we’ve already noticed that we don’t need to turn on the heat as often.  We’re sure after insulating our attic and skylight we won’t have any more ice dams that were staining around our upstairs bathroom skylight.  Thanks again for such a great experience. “

-Residential retrofit, Oct. 2011   Westhampton, MA

“We noticed a difference in the way our home felt on day two of the five day project. After the work was finished the comfort, absence of draft and eveness of heat is notable. Our final cost landed at about 75% of what we were expecting (with rebates) and though I’ve not yet done the calcs, I expect to realize a full recovery of the expense with lower fuel costs in a little more than 5 years. I’m calling this a win-win-win.”

-Residential retrofit, Nov. 2011   Florence, MA

The main house is a historic 17th century post and beam structure. The carriage house is a converted barn. Both houses suffered from ice damming and comfort issues.

A Colonial beauty with many thermal boundary issues

Ductwork in the attic was encapsulated with close cell spray foam to improve distribution efficiency. R-60 cellulose was added to the attic flat

The large beams in the attic flat were sealed with closed cell spray foam

The large South facing knee wall rafter cavities were expanded with new lumber. This enabled optimal insulation performance in the cavities of closed cell foam and denspacked cellulose.

Carriage house roof slope that had ice damming. The closed slopes and knee wall attic space were treated

Who says a Director of Operation, doesn't get dirty?! (your's trully in action) Foil faced rigid foam board added, seams air sealed.

A fan box in a tight eave can contribute to ice damming. This one is airsealed. The rafter slopes, empty in the pic, will get densepacked with cellulose

After the Carriage House attic is airsealed, R60+ cellulose insulation is added.

We  patiently wait for the first heavy snow fall of 2011, to hear from these clients with confirmation that roof melt patterns and roof eave ice build up, has changed for the better.  The comprehensive attic retrofit will result in improved comfort and energy savings.

The original ranch, with two story addition.

The attic flat before: Some cellulose was added, yet due to recessed can lights and other airleakage pathways, there was rampant heat loss.

The chute vents were not functioning properly. Spray foam ensures air is going over the soon to be installed final insulation layer.

Non-IC rated recessed can lights are covered with the appropriate fire rated cover, sealed and made airtight. Two skylight boxes are encapsulated with closed cell spray foam. Skylights have so many framing seams that they are often major sources of energy waste.

Are some of these changes needed in Massachusetts to achieve deeper energy savings and create robust green industry growth? You bet.

Cozy Home Performance is looking to hire a Field Technician and Crew Manager. This opportunity is in direct response to an increased demand for advanced building performance services attributed to our company’s reputation for excellence and recent utility program opportunities. Additionally, our outlook is positive as there is a greater societal awareness of the necessity to reduce fossil-fuel energy use through advanced building energy performance solutions.

Download full job descriptions here:

Field Technician job description [pdf]

Crew Manager job description [pdf]

1. Position Opening: Field Technician

The field technician reports directly to the Crew Manager. As part of a dynamic and skilled team of experienced Technicians, your primary objective is to install various building performance materials and assemblies to exacting specifications as delegated by the Manager and senior Technicians. Your success will be demonstrated by your ability to apply what you learn, follow instructions, and communicate effectively as a professional. The work will be difficult and dirty. Maintaining the required balance between physical stamina and mental focus will be challenging. You will need to show commitment to the purpose of our work and have a consistent level of energy and positive mental state. Our company is built upon high standards of professionalism. We value respectful and honest communication within the company and with our clients. Self accountability is taken seriously.

Field Tech tasks include, but are not limited to:

• Work in a wide variety of building environments including crawl-spaces, attics, and basements
• Perform targeted, general/advanced air sealing
• Install insulation including cellulose, spray foam, and rigid foam insulation
• Clean and maintain equipment: have a high standard for organization.
• Follow health and safety personal protection protocols
• Install ventilation components- mechanical and passive
• Represent Cozy Home Performance in a professional manner when in dialogue with clients.

Requirements:

• Home Performance, weatherization, carpentry or insulation experience
• Strong interest in building science, and systems thinking
• The ability to work and maintain focus in dusty small spaces.
• Be consistently attentive to detail and organization.
• Communicate directly and honestly with team members and clients
• The willingness to learn and invest in self promoted professional growth.

Preference will be given to:

• BPI B/A or other BPI certifications
• Experience working to Mass Save program Standards (assessments or installs)
• Comfort working in small, confined spaces
• Experience with HVAC systems

To apply, submit a cover letter, resume and references to info@mycozyhome.org

Thank you for your interest.

Adin Maynard
Director of Operations
Cozy Home Performance LLC

______________________________

2. Position Opening: Crew Manager

As Crew Manager you will be responsible for ensuring the successful completion of building performance improvement projects. Working with the Energy Assessment Provider, you will be independently responsible for job preparation and will manage a team of Field Technicians to meet project goals and timelines. As a leader, you will set an example for your colleagues. Success will be determined by meeting the prescriptive and performance goals of the project, providing outstanding client relations and effective communication and delegation. A successful Crew Manager will maintain a broad perspective on each project as a skilled systems thinker, by effectively delegating, and holding others responsible for their actions, you will be a successful Crew Manager. Our company is built upon high standards of professionalism. We value respectful and honest communication within the company and with our clients. Self accountability is taken seriously. Crew Manager reports to Energy Assessment Provider and Company Principal.

Crew Manager tasks include, but are not limited to:

• Design the flow and pace of work to efficiently complete the project goals. This includes delegating work-scope measures to the crew and providing quality control to ensure effective and efficient project operation on a daily basis.
• Work in a wide variety of building environments including crawl-spaces, attics, and basements. Exacting installation of weatherization and insulation materials including, but not limited to: closed cell spray foam, cellulose insulation, rigid foam board, vapor barriers, and active and passive ventilation systems.
• Administrative requirements including daily tracking of job-sheets, job material receipts, health and safety test data, change order forms, and program related paperwork.
• Oversight of job site safety and building performance diagnostic testing including combustion safety testing to BPI Standards, air-barrier diagnostics, and infrared scanning.
• Work with crew to maintain material and equipment condition and organization. Order materials to maintain appropriate inventory levels.
• Represent the company and the crew in a professional manner in dialogue with current and prospective clients.

Requirements:

• Home Performance, weatherization, carpentry or insulation experience.
• Excellent organizational skills.
• Keen interest in building science and a desire to develop expertise
• Work and maintain focus in dusty tight spaces for extended periods of time
• Be consistently committed to details and quality control
• Ability to communicate effectively with team members and clients

Preference will be given to:

• Relevant managerial or leadership experience
• BPI B/A or other BPI certifications
• Experience working to Mass Save program Standards (assessments or installs)
• Proven success as a leader in similar work environments
• EPA Lead Safe certified, OSHA certificate.
• Passion for green building services and  environmental sustainability.

To apply, submit a cover letter, resume and references to info@mycozyhome.org

Thank you for your interest.

Adin Maynard
Director of Operations
Cozy Home Performance LLC

Home heating fuel prices will remain manageable this heating season, according to the experts, who gather that recession and corresponding limited demand is more influential than climate change, major systemic perils to US and Euro economies, and partisan US political infighting.

Cozy Home Performance had the busiest summer yet. Demand is up, utility programs are becoming more regular, and we are adjusting business and retrofit systems to better serve our clients and to make our company more sustainable. As all small business have to do, we are constantly reflecting, evolving, and reminding ourselves of the purpose of our work. As the summer wanes, we are looking hard at the numbers to understand profit margins and market drivers. We have a new streamlined database systems up and running. We have clearer protocols and are using more straightforward approaches to communicating our services and value. Some learning has not been easy. We have been mildly burned at times and realize that in this day and age, official contracts are imperative, even when a hand-shake deal seems adequate. Bumps and hiccups in the last several months inspire us to be better and clarify our services and purpose of fixing an aging Western MA building stock. In an age of rapid growth defining success, we are constantly tightening our belts to be more efficient so we can help raise the bar for our industry. Through diligence and patience, we are finding the balance that will enable us to scale.

Spring is time for renewal for the birds. For the energy efficiency industry, Fall is the start of the busy time. We must be ready for synapses to connect when everyone who has been intending to button up their homes, wake up one morning and realize that the heat is going on in a few weeks.

We are ready. Though small as Cozy Home is, we continue to refine our deliverable. As the culture, economy, and necessity changes, we stay true to what we specialize in by providing comprehensive building performance retrofit services.

Happy Fall

Cozy Home values strong customer relationships and everyone on our team embodies this value, which transfers to the job site. As Irene acknowledges in her note below, this work benefits quality of life and is necessary for transitioning to an ‘energy smart future’.

You can see images of the Fradet attic project here.

Testimonial , June 22, 2011:

I want to thank everyone for doing such a great job in my attic.
Your guys did an excellent job air sealing and insulating to my requested specifications.
Everyone has been a joy to work with. My special and specific requests regarding certain details were well interpreted and skillfully accomplished.

While it may not seem so on a daily basis, your guys are doing very important work moving us towards a carbon neutral future one project at a time. I can only hope that more homeowners will be willing to go the extra mile. And, I would be happy to talk with anyone interested in your services.

In my home, I could feel the temperature difference immediately upon completion of the job. During our recent hot days, my house stayed comfortably cool- without air conditioning. I kept it closed down, shades drawn, and opened it up at night and it was great.
Thanks again!
I. Fradet