For the second time this year, the Mason Energy Commission is bringing together neighbors to facilitate conversations about an energy topic — this time, weatherization.
In partnership with the Monadnock Ledger-Transcript, the Energy Commission is hosting a “Weatherization Curious and Community Supper” on Sept. 18 at 5 p.m. at the Mason Congregational Church. In addition to supper, residents can hear from Rindge Energy Commission members Dwight Schenk and Pat Martin, who have both personal and municipal weatherization experience, and Bob Haring-Smith of the Peterborough Renewable Energy Project.
Similar to its “Solar Curious” supper held earlier this year, the supper will include locals who have gone through the process of a weatherization audit on their homes, or with municipal buildings as part of their own town energy committees. They will share their experiences and resources with those who are interested in learning more.
“One of the reasons that an energy commission can be formed is public education,” said commission member Kathleen Chapman. “Deep down, one of our founding charters is to educate the public.”
When the commission was formed in 2019, one of the first events it held was a “button-up” workshop, on weatherizing your home. She said in addition to providing energy savings, it can also improve the comfort-level of an individual home.
Weatherization can result in homes being warmer in the winter and cooler in the summer, and improved indoor air quality. This can be the result of sealing air leaks, adding weatherstripping on doors and windows, fixing insulation-deficient areas, insulating hot water pipes or attics and updating lights to LEDs.
“That really does change, when you do weatherization,” said Chapman. “Drafts, humidity, it can solve issues like that.”
More involved improvements can include upgrading appliances and heating and cooling systems, or using a heat exchanger to improve air quality.
Chapman said the Energy Commission believes the best way to have people learn about energy concepts is to hear it from those who have benefited from it.
“People can talk to their neighbors,” Chapman said. She said she hopes that those who attend the supper will be curious enough at least to do an energy audit on their home, which will show them where their potential energy loss — and potential savings, if they weatherize — might be.
For information about topics such as solar, wind, electric vehicles and updates on government issues related to energy, visit masonnhenergy.org. The website is updated weekly.
The Weatherization Curious and Community Supper is scheduled for Sept. 18, 5 to 7 p.m. at the Mason Congregational Church. There is no charge for the supper.
Ashley Saari can be reached at 603-924-7172 ext. 244 or asaari@ledgertranscript.com. She’s on X @AshleySaariMLT.