Energy Saving Workshop

Join us on Thursday, April 8, at 7 pm here at the store for a workshop by Howard Nannen titled "Maine Pays You to Save Energy." The workshop is free and open to the public.

"Mainers are about to learn of an exciting new state program called the Efficiency Maine Weatherization Program," says Howard. "The State-O-Maine will pay you to weatherize your home. But as they say, 'Certain restrictions and requirements apply,' so we will help guide you through program requirements in our talk at F.W. Horch this Thursday."

Howard works with Energy Solutions For Maine, Inc. of Scarborough. The company is owned by Hugh Savage of Brunswick. Principal auditor, Aaron Despres of Harpswell performs home and commercial energy audits, as well as management of recommended energy efficiency improvements.

In his talk, Howard will explain how the Efficiency Maine Weatherization Program works. Incentive payments of $1,500 are available to homeowners who achieve a 25% savings in energy consumption, and a $3,000 incentive payment is available to those who achieve a 50% energy savings. When coupled with tax credits and utility rebates in some areas of the state, this new program provides a strong incentive to invest in weatherization to improve the heating efficiency of homes and businesses.

You'll learn how to qualify for Maine's weatherization rebates while making your home more energy efficient to save money on heating bills. Not only does weatherization pay off in dollar savings year after year, but it also results in a safer, more comfortable home.

Free refreshments and handouts will be provided.

Space is limited. To reserve a seat or for more information, please call 729-4050 or visit www.FWHorch.com.

Reducing Your Home Energy Costs - April's Sustainable Living Talk

F.W. Horch Sustainable Goods and Supplies, 56 Maine St., Brunswick, will host a talk by Tim Vrabel, Deputy Director, Energy Programs Division of the Maine Public Utilities Commission, titled "Reducing Your Home Energy Costs," on Thursday, April 10, at 7:00 p.m. The talk is free and open to the public.

Vrabel will discuss how to reduce the impacts of increasing home heating and energy bills, with a focus on low-cost or no-cost approaches to improving energy efficiency. He will explain how Maine residents can take advantage of Efficiency Maine incentive programs that help pay for energy upgrades. These programs include instant rebates on compact fluorescent lights and the Maine Home Performance program that guides the homeowner through the process of assessing home energy use to contacting a qualified contractor to make improvements.

Efficiency Maine is a statewide effort to promote the more efficient use of electricity, help Maine residents and businesses reduce energy costs, and improve Maine's environment. Efficiency Maine is funded by electricity consumers and administered by the Maine Public Utilities Commission.

Those who attend Thursday's talk will learn where the heat in our homes and apartments goes, have the opportunity to ask about specific problems they are experiencing, and participate in a straightforward discussion of solutions and costs. In addition, Vrabel will provide an overview of wind and solar renewable energy resources and the rebate and tax incentive programs that are available to help people take advantage of them.

Free refreshments and handouts will be provided.

Space is limited. To reserve a seat or for more information, please call 729-4050.