SUMMER IS A GREAT TIME TO PLAN AHEAD FOR WINTER!!

Central Vermont Community Action Council (CVCAC) is organizing a series of day-long Weatherization Skillshops in nine locations statewide for do-it-yourselfers on how to weatherize their homes.  These skillshops are being organizing in partnership with the Adult Technical Education Centers throughout the state. These weatherization skillshops are part a statewide program to support and train do-it-yourself (DIY) homeowners to undertake comprehensive efficiency improvements in their own homes under the guidance and supervision of a certified energy professional.

Weatherization Skillshops: Skillshop participants will learn the core fundamentals and hands-on techniques needed to improve building efficiency on their own, including background on building science, how-to demonstrations, and hands-on skill building. The weatherization skillshop consists of three distinct modules: air-sealing and insulating attics, air-sealing windows and doors, and air-sealing and insulating basements. Participants will learn how to choose the right energy saving products and tools for basic projects and how to safely and effectively use materials.

The cost of the skillshops is $150 - which includes $100 in weatherization tools, supplies, and resources - and lunch.  CVCAC gratefully acknowledges the support of the High Meadows Foundation for underwriting a portion of the costs of the skillshops.  Attached please find a flier about the skillshops to distribute to interested participants.  We have only space for 15-20 participants at each workshop - so please encourage your neighbors and friends to sign up today through the following link
www.weatherizationskillshop.com or  by calling Laurie Fielder at 802 476 2093 x116.

The schedule for the skillshops is as follows:

June 12         Barre Technical Center, Barre
June 19         St. Johnsbury Academy, St. Johnsbury
June 26         River Valley Technical Center, Springfield
July 10           Stafford Technical Center, Rutland
July 17           Center for Technology, Essex
September 11   Windham Regional Career Center, Brattleboro
September 18    SW VT Career Development Center, Bennington
September 25   River Bend Career and Technical Center, Bradford
October 2            NW Technical Center, St. Albans

Full DIY Program:  As noted above, the weatherization skillshops are part a statewide program to support and train do-it-yourself (DIY) homeowners to undertake comprehensive efficiency improvements in their own homes under the guidance and supervision of a certified energy professional.   The goal of
this program is to ensure the DIY homeowners are receiving the training, information, and guidance they need to achieve meaningful energy savings in their homes.

Under this program, DIYers will receive a professional energy audit and work under the direction of a certified energy auditor to perform the work. The auditor will provide a detailed report and list of action items. They will conduct a mid-project inspection to check on the work-in-progress and be available for consultations. When the improvements are completed, the auditor will run a test to verify efficiency improvements. Further, the auditor will help provide details on how improvements can qualify for financial incentives, and will handle all necessary reporting to Efficiency
Vermont.

The good news is that Efficiency Vermont will provide a $1,000 financial reimbursement to DIY participants to pay for the cost of the auditor's services under its Home Performance with ENERGY STAR (HPwES) program -- contingent upon achieving minimal efficiency improvements. Participants who install additional qualifying measures will be eligible for up to an additional $1,500 in financial incentives from Efficiency Vermont.   DIY participants are also eligible to receive up to $1,500 in federal tax credits for weatherization-related materials (30% of $4,500 maximum).

For more information on the DIY Home Weatherization Program or the Weatherization Skillshops, please check out our website at
www.weatherizationskillshop.com or call Laurie Fielder at 802 476 2093 x116.