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Challenging Homeowners to Stay Warmer During the Winter
During the Maine winter homeowners lose heat. An estimated 30% of this heat loss is though their windows. The reasons for these changes are due to the age of certain homes. There are a total of 12,480 housing units in Franklin County. Sixty-five percent of these homes were built before 1980 and another 27% were built before 1940 (Maine housing Homeownership Facts). The aging of these homes usually means that home will increasingly become more drafty, energy inefficient, and more costly to heat.
There is a solution to preventing heat loss in your home. The Community Energy Challenge is dedicated to weatherizing homes with reusable interior storm window panels. The panels are cost effective, sustainable and easy to make. Homeowners may save up to 45% of their energy costs by also insulating their basements, sealing air leaks, and adding insulation to the attic, along with these window panels. There is a very direct criteria for eligibility. Low to moderate income residents of Greater Franklin County meet eligibility. All those who are able to pay for the materials to make the panels are encouraged to do so. If homeowners are unable to pay, the panels are FREE. The Community Energy Challenge are looking for volunteers who will help build the window panels or can choose be a Weatherization Evaluator, after attending a training session to be held early this fall in Franklin County. Workshops will be held at a convenient location in Greater Franklin County to build the panels.
The Community Energy Challenge works in collaboration with the United Way of the Tri-Valley Area and the Maine Community Service Commission.
For more information please contact Nancy Teel, active member of the Franklin County Energy Resource Team by email nteel@localnet.com or by phone (207)-670-5228. You can also contact Isaac Frith AmeriCorps VISTA Member for the United Way of the Tri-Valley Area by email inter@uwtva.org or by phone (207)-778-5048.
