HARTFORD — Several WindowDressers volunteer events will take place across the Upper Valley this month.
The Maine-based organization, which builds insulating window inserts, has had a presence in the area for a few years. But not its low-cost, ready-to-go weatherization model might be more welcome than ever.
High home heating oil prices are breaking records and waitlists for state-funded weatherization programs, both in New Hampshire and Vermont, are historically long.
“This kind of demand is an anomaly,” said Victor Baisley, weatherization director at Southeastern Vermont Community Action, or SEVCA. “Typically, we can do anywhere from 160 to 200 homes in a single year. Right now, we have a waitlist going on probably a year and a half to two years.”
In addition to increased demand, Baisley chalked part of the backlog up to workforce capacity: There just aren’t enough people trained in weatherization procedures. SEVCA is in the process of expanding its own training opportunities.
WindowDressers gives communities a chance to take weatherization into their own hands.
Volunteer efforts are crucial to the success of the organization. All of the inserts for towns are built at the events that the town its hosts, and the residents of those towns that request inserts are expected to come pitch in.
“We haven’t done it here before, and last year the closest one was in Vershire,” said Nancy Jones, who has helped to organize the build in Bradford later in the month. “But the cost of fuel the way it is this year, any way to save money is a good thing.”
The inserts are free for those who cannot afford to pay, and low-cost for middle- and high-income households. WindowDressers estimates that on average, 10 inserts of its double-layered plastic interior window inserts save 105 gallons of heating fuel — which at around $5.50/gallon, amounts to more than $550 in savings.
Build Dates: Nov. 18-23
Location: Bradford Fire Station
135 Carson Lane, Bradford, Vt.
Contact: Susanna Lewis – 802-222-3460 – lewis.susanna@gmail.com
Build Dates: Nov. 4-9
Location: Wilder Club and Library, 78 Norwich Ave., Wilder, Vt.
Contact: hwindowdressers@gmail.com, 802-359-7588.
Sign up to volunteer: https://signup.com/go/YYoqGcv
Build Dates: Nov. 11-16
Location: White River Craft Center
50 Randolph Ave., Randolph, Vt.
Contact: Gary Dir – gdir@comcast.net – 585-370-8652
Sign up to volunteer: https://signup.com/go/jdbCPgH
Build Dates: Nov. 11-16
Location: Chelsea Town Hall, 296 VT Route 110, Chelsea, Vt.
Contact: Neil Hochstedler, neilhochstedler@gmail.com
Sign up to volunteer: https://signup.com/go/oCAnwGg
Frances Mize is a Report for America corps member. She can be reached at fmize@vnews.com or 603-727-3242.