By Jim Cavan

From its front driveway along the Piscataqua River, Dan Silva’s 1830 federal-style house would appear the poster child for the old saying “they don’t build ‘em like that anymore.”

In many ways, it’s true: from both outside and inside, the home looks as sturdy and as time-tested as any from its era, with an interiorly updated modern sensibility that only enhances its rock-steady appearance. But like many New Englanders who have experienced three years of volatile oil prices, Silva is as determined as ever to make sure the reality matches the perception.

Enter Ed Henningsen, owner of Eliot-based Henningsen Inspections. Henningsen’s job? To try and get Silva up to $3,000 cash back from a state program which provides incentives for home and business owners who improve their building’s energy efficiency.

Funded by the Federal Stimulus Monies, the Efficiency Maine Home Energy Savings Program is designed to help Maine residents and businesses reduce energy costs while improving the state’s environment, covering anywhere from 25 to 50% off costs associated with improvements ranging from weatherization to renewable energy systems to appliances.

So far Efficiency Maine has 500 people “in the system”, meaning they’ve had an audit conducted and are in the process of making the necessary upgrades to apply for the rebates. Meanwhile, 2500 people managed to put in reservations for an additional $1,000 rebate offer, which expired August 31st.

Dan Silva’s Eliot home is just the latest to be put under Henningsen’s green magnifying glass. At nearly six-and-a-half feet, it’s hard not to pay attention to what Henningsen says, particularly when he’s pointing out gaps in your house where during the winter hot air – and by deduction, money – risks seeping out unabated. As Henningsen moves from the spacious basement to the attic and every room between, giving tips and making recommendations throughout, Silva is all ears.

“It was very interesting to find that there were so many leaky spots,” says Silva. “We knew the house had limited insulation, and that became clear we started getting higher and higher energy bills.”

At first, Silva tried doing all the little things to help tighten his home’s envelope, like replacing certain windows. But it wasn’t until Henningsen’s inspection showed his home losing 53% of its energy that Silva realized how bad it really was – and, comparatively, how much money he could be saving.

He certainly found the right guy for the job.

After 18 years in the HVAC industry, in 2007 Ed Henningsen decided to try something new, and launched his one-man home inspection company later that year. Initially Henningsen hoped that the real estate market would bounce back and give him plenty of customers. But with the market remaining on shaky ground, Henningsen decided to bolster his range of services. Noticing an increased demand for the expertise, Henningsen first got certified for radon testing – something he felt every home, particularly here in New England, ought to have.

When the winter of 2008 arrived, bringing with it unprecedentedly high oil prices, Henningsen had another calling. “It got everyone thinking about energy use in their homes,” recalls Henningsen. “That’s when I decided to get into energy audits.”

Since making it an official arm of his business, Henningsen claims energy audits have become his company’s second most sought-after service, right after the all-important radon mitigation. Needless to say, the Efficiency Maine program fits perfectly with this new-found focus: Since the program launched, Henningsen estimates he’s had 20 - 25 clients because of the program, all of them eager to be shown what changes they can make to save them money down the road.

Most of the rebates can also be used in tandem with relevant federal rebates, available for up to $1500, making the potential savings even more significant.

A cup of Dunkin Donuts coffee glued to his hand, Henningsen makes his way through every room in the house, along the way charting any potential problem areas with the roof, siding, deck, chimney, or the overall situation of the building.

Then comes the fun part. While most of Henningsen’s materials are things anyone could pick up at the nearest Staples, one important tool look like something out of a science fiction movie: A giant red canvas sheet with a large central fan that is locked into the front door frame and made air-tight. Henningsen locks the hulking device into place and turns on the fan, which essentially moves all the air out of the house and displaces it outside. By conducting the “blower door test”, Henningsen is able to lower the pressure inside the house to better monitor how – and where – air is coming into the building.

According to Henningsen, Silva’s home could piece together a number of improvements to take full advantage of the potential rebates. Some of his major suggestions include: air sealing as many of the penetrations in the house, insulation the exterior walls, insulating the basement (a common source of heat energy loss), augmenting the existing attic insulation to attain a higher R-value, and adding a de-humidifier to the basement to prevent moisture developing once the space is properly insulated.

Needless to say, Silva intends to make good on all of the recommendations. “Everything he recommended I’m having guys come in and quote,” he says. “So hopefully we can hit 40 to 50 percent savings.”

For more information about the Efficiency Maine program, go to www.efficiencymaine.com