As part of our long-term commitment to building a sustainable future, ReVision Energy recently joined Maine Audubon’s Corporate Partnership program.

We are proud to support Audubon’s dynamic education programs for all ages and their science based approach to conserve Maine’s natural resources.

ReVision Energy is working with Maine Audubon to bring solar energy demonstration projects to the Gilsland Farm visitors’ center and state headquarters in Falmouth.

Audubon has additional locations in Holden, Scarborough, Bremen, Elliotsville and Rockland. The organization offers a wide array of programs each year for children and adults.

Pictured is Maine Audubon’s Apple Day which ReVision Energy was proud to be a sponsor of this year.

Learn more about your local chapter by visiting www.maineaudubon.org.

We were impressed when we heard that the designers of the Redfern House intended to build a home so efficient that it would not need a fossil fuel boiler (no oil nor gas) – even in Maine’s cold climate!

The finished product has exceeded everyone’s expectations, resulting in a Platinum rating from the US Green Building Council’s LEED for Homes Program.

LEED is an acronym for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design and provides a set of standards for environmentally sustainable construction for new design or renovation.
Located on Victor Road in Portland, Redfern is another super-efficient creation of Catherine and Jonathan Culley of Redfern Properties in Portland.

The Culleys, who are refreshingly passionate about green design, set out to build a home that was both green and affordable.

Catherine explains that “green design doesn’t work if only a few people can afford it.  We wanted to make it so that it’s attainable for more people – so that sustainability is less ‘pie in the sky.”‘

Redfern Properties chose to work with LEED accredited architect Chris Briley to come up with the design of the home. Chris is the founding principal of Green Design Studio, based in Yarmouth.

Coming in at just under 2,000 s.f., the two-story, 3 BR, 2.5B Redfern House is built with resource efficient materials and incorporates low mass, high efficiency electric on-demand hot water heater which is powered by a 2 kilowatt grid-tied solar electric system.

Other features of this home include non toxic paints, cellulose insulation, a detached garage and resource efficient framing. Being located in the downtown region, it’s assessable to public transportation and to Greater Portland’s resources.

Horizon Residential provided consultation on insulation, ventilation, and heating performance. Horizon is also serving as the ‘rater’ for the home in a number of the LEED categories. Other sustainability partners that helped to make this project a success were Cuddledown, Furniturea, Green Designs, Ember Grove, Angela Adams, and Back Cove Yardscaping. Learn more at www.redfernproperties.com.

November 7 – Go Green Expo in Topsham 10am – 4pm:
The Southern Midcoast Maine Chamber is hosting their third annual Go Green Expo event at Mount Ararat High School Gymnasium on Rt 201 in Topsham. There will be a number of vendors available promoting their energy efficient products. ReVision Energy will be there and will also be presenting on the fundamentals of solar hot water and solar electric systems. This event will be free and open to the public. For more information visit the events section on the Chamber’s website.

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November 20 – Forum and E2Tech Annual Meeting 7:30am – 9:10am
John Brautigam, Maine PUC Energy Programs Director, and Tim Vrabel, Deputy Director, will provide details on the $37 million coming to Maine to be distributed among industrial, municipal, commercial and residential sectors from within the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. In addition Efficiency Maine is in communications with the Department of Energy regarding another opportunity that could represent approximately $60 million for Maine. This event will be held at the Maine Audubon in Falmouth. For more information visist E2Tech online.

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November 21 – Home Energy Conference, Hartman Union Building, Plymouth State University, Plymouth, NH 8:30am-4:30pm.
The New Hampshire Sustainable Energy Association’s fall conference will focus on ways to make efficiency and clean energy a commonplace practice at the home, and a good policy in the town. Representatives from ReVision Energy will display renewable solar technologies for home and business, and be available to answer questions about renewable applications and economics.