Manchester’s Energy Committee invites you to the Manchester Community Library on Saturday, May 16th - from 11:00am to 3:00pm - to find out how to save money, feel more comfortable at home, and help meet Vermont’s climate goals. This event is free, and open to the public. You could win a gift certificate from r.k.Miles, and learn if you’re eligible for free home improvements - up to $9,000 worth of work.

Local businesses that sell and install solar panels, battery back-up systems, cold climate heat pumps, energy-efficient induction cooktops, and more will be present. We will have information about plastic waste and recycling; about regenerative farming techniques & soil health; and about an exciting technology for heating & cooling called Thermal Energy Networks.

As a special bonus, Jim Hand will demonstrate and discuss what “Balcony Solar” looks like, how it works (as simple as plugging it into a regular wall outlet), and why it makes sense for renters as well as homeowners. (Being portable means you can take the solar panels and all necessary hardware with you if you move, and you can easily wipe snow off in winter.)

A representative from the Heat Squad, a subsidiary of Cornerstone Housing Partners, will explain how a home energy audit works, what it costs, and how it can help reduce your costs for heating and cooling your home or business. Cornerstone also offers help finding affordable housing, with financial coaching, and energy and home repair loans.

Green Mountain Power (GMP) will discuss several programs that offer incentives to help with the cost of switching to an electric range, or to purchase e-bikes, EVs, e-mowers, battery back-up systems, or cold climate heat pumps. For example, you may qualify for a $3,200 rebate plus a free Level 2 charger (worth $650) when you buy an electric car (EV) or a plug-in hybrid. With the home car charger, your cost of driving an EV could be as low as the equivalent of $1.15/gal. (PS - There are many excellent used EVs for sale right now.)

Find out how to order custom-built storm windows that are inserted from the inside, through a program called Window Dressers. Each insert costs a tiny fraction of what a commercial storm window costs because you participate in building them. Because you help assemble the inserts, Efficiency Vermont will give you $100 through their DIY rebate program.

There will be information from Efficiency Vermont about programs that save you money while reducing your energy consumption. Some federal incentives have ended but Efficiency Vermont still offers rebates on all types of heat pumps. You could qualify for free (!) kitchen appliances. They also do free home energy assessments - by phone or virtually.

Come to the Manchester Community Library on Saturday, May 16th from 11:00am to 3:00pm to learn how to stop winter drafts from giving you chills, replace volatile fuels with electric alternatives, and enter our raffle for a gift certificate from r.k.Miles. Questions? Call Carl Bucholt at (802) 362-4619.