Sustainable Energy Resource Group and Efficiency Vermont are working with energy committees in Putney, Montpelier and Thetford to organize free weatherization workshops to take place on Saturdays from 9am to 3pm in those towns:

Nov. 3 - Putney, Putney Community Building
Nov. 17 - Montpelier, Montpelier City Hall in morning/ North Branch Nature Center in afternoon
Dec. 1 - Thetford, Rice's Mills Community Center

(Directions to and presenters at each of the workshops are listed below.)

The workshops are intended for homeowners who want to learn more about energy audits and retrofits before hiring a professional, and for "do-it-yourself" homeowners who will learn some basic air sealing techniques, as well as the critical health and safety issues related to tightening up a home.

Weatherization professionals will discuss issues of home heat loss, the diagnostic tools employed by auditors to identify and measure heat loss, techniques for sealing and insulating, the potential savings from home weatherization and current federal and state weatherization incentives. The discussion will include the issues of comfort, health and safety as they relate to tightening up buildings and the need for adequate ventilation. The afternoon session will include demonstrations of a blower door test, infrared scan and air sealing techniques.

The workshops are free and open to the public. Donations to cover workshop costs are appreciated. PARTICIPANTS SHOULD BRING A BAG LUNCH. Participants may attend morning, afternoon, or both sessions. (Pre-registration is required for the Thetford Workshop - contact Bob Walker to pre-register.)

We would like to thank the following foundations and business sponsors for their generous support that helped make these workshops possible: Mascoma Savings Bank Foundation, Byrne Foundation, Murphy's Cell-Tech, groSolar, ReKnew Energy Systems, J. Hiam LLC Building and Design, SolarWorks, Sun Catcher, LLC, The Solar Specialists, LLC and LaValley's Building Supply.

Specific info for each workshop follows:

PUTNEY

Directions to Putney Community Building, 10 Christian Square, Putney, from I 91, head north on Rt. 5, about 3/4 mile almost to center of town. Turn right on Christian Square (DOS Solutions at corner), 4th building on the right (big sign). Park on left hand side of driveway - Parking also at Town Hall on Main St.

Putney Workshop Presenters include:

- Randy Bright, Residential Project Manager, Efficiency Vermont
- Keith Abbott, owner Thermal House
- Dick Cartelli, owner Draft Detective
- Earle Niles, Senior Energy Auditor for Southeast Vermont Community Action/SEVCA
- Bob Walker, Director Sustainable Energy Resource Group

MONTPELIER

Directions to Montpelier City Hall from Interstate 89: Take Exit 8 (Montpelier) onto Memorial Drive. Go through flashing yellow light, turn left at 3rd red/green light on Main St. Cross RR tracks and City Hall is on the right with parking behind.

Directions to North Branch Nature Center from Montpelier City Hall: Continue out Main St. take 2nd right off rotary on Spring St. Take first right on Elm and go a couple of miles to the North Branch Nature Center on your right.

THETFORD

Directions to Rice's Mills Community Center: located on Rt. 132 in Thetford Center, 100 yards toward S. Strafford from Tucker Hill Rd. Contact Bob for more specific directions and to reserve a seat.

Montpelier and Thetford Workshop presenters include:

- Walter Scott, Senior Project Manager, Efficiency Vermont
- Paul Zabriskie, Weatherization Programs Director, Central Vermont Community Action Council and Home Performance Partners
- Bob Walker, Director Sustainable Energy Resource Group

These workshops are being organized by Sustainable Energy Resource Group (SERG), Efficiency Vermont, the Putney Energy Committee, the Montpelier Energy Team and the Thetford Energy Committee. For more information about the workshops contact SERG at 802-785-4126, SERG@valley.net.

Please feel free to circulate this information.