Comment: I have a passive solar house -- velux windows in the roof upstairs, floor-to-ceiling windows on the south side, downstairs. Just heard that last summer was the hottest in Maine's recent history --my upstairs rooms were unlivable last August. I moved downstairs, continue to live downstairs.
Strong solar rays through the windows provide good heat downstairs on sunny cloudless days. Most days in the past two months have NOT been sunny, rather overcast, producing moderately cool temperatures in the house but becoming even colder, as January moves on.
I have an all-electric house -- heating via baseboards controlled by wall thermostats in various locations throughout the house. I have little, if any, appropriate window covers, considering the climate heating up. I receive a monthly social security check of $2240 -- to take care of my health, property taxes, heating bill, 8-year-old car. I have been granted $550 in assistance by CMP, have used half of it in one bill in early December. I'm expecting an even larger bill soon, to use up the rest of it. I can ask for more, I'm told.
I need financial assistance to help pay for window shades for 6 velux windows in the roof, 4 floor-to- ceiling windows downstairs, front of house (I have old 40-year-old curtains from when the house was built in 1982, one of which wore out, two are on the point of being useless). Also some kind of insulating "drape" to cover a glass sliding door in the southern wall. I have looked into heat pumps. A company that sells them locally had a hard time finding a location in the house for the installation of a heat pump and its overall value to the total comfort of occupants and the cost savings, because so many of the walls are taken up by windows.
I'm seeing on the Internet that the Maine government has a special section that deals with passive solar houses. Can you connect me with that organization?
I prefer email. Norma Keim
[email protected]