Energy Expo held in Springfield

Homeowners, business owners and farmers learned how to save money on their energy bills and make their homes more comfortable Saturday at the Home Energy Expo 2011 at the River Valley Technical Center.

http://www.rutlandherald.com/article/20110319/NEWS02/703199943

Published March 19, 2011 in the Rutland Herald

Energy Expo today in Springfield

By SUSAN SMALLHEER
Staff Writer

SPRINGFIELD — Homeowners, business owners and farmers can learn how to save money on their energy bills and make their homes more comfortable today at the Home Energy Expo 2011 at the River Valley Technical Center.

The event starts at 9 a.m. and runs until 3 p.m.

The Southern Windsor County Regional Planning Commission, joined by the energy committees from the towns of Springfield, Windsor, West Windsor and Weathersfield are hosting the free event.

Residents will be able to learn about simple energy-saving projects they can do at their homes or businesses, said Tom Kennedy, executive director of the regional commission.

Residents and businesses can learn how to pay for the energy projects, particularly some of the rebate and incentive programs offered by government. That workshop, with a representative from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, starts at 10 a.m.

There will be information and displays about new innovations in wind and solar, he said.

A Chester couple, Peter and Donna Hudkins, who live off the grid, will talk at 11 a.m. about different renewable energy systems and other energy conservation techniques, such as residential wind turbines, photovoltaic solar power, solar hot water systems, masonry heaters and passive solar building design.

Another focus is lighting, with a workshop at noon with Bob Pustis of Philips Lightolier, who will discuss the developments in lighting technology.

At 1 p.m., there will be a workshop on weatherizing homes and businesses presented by Will Reed of Vermont Foam Insulation and Jon Albee of Home Energy Consulting.

Kennedy said the senior class at Springfield High School will be making and selling smoothies, with the blenders powered by human bicycle power.

In addition, the Weathersfield Junior High science projects will be on display, as well as senior science projects from Windsor High School students.

Kennedy said 16 different businesses that provide various kinds of energy services will also be on hand.

Kennedy said there were several door prizes, including a netbook computer, a weatherization kit and a free installation of a programmable thermostat.

Food will be sold at the event as a fundraiser for the technical center’s hospitality program.