MEC workshop: Increasing Comfort and Saving Energy in Older Homes

Melrose is full of “older” homes and that’s a good part of the city’s charm. Unfortunately, many of these older homes present challenges for heating, cooling and saving energy.

On Tuesday, Feb. 28, the Melrose Energy Commission (MEC) is hosting a mini-workshop at the Melrose Public Library, 69 West Emerson St., on Increasing Comfort and Saving Energy in Older Homes. This free program, which begins at 7 p.m., is part of the Melrose Energy Challenge, an ongoing effort by the MEC and Next Step Living to educate Melrose residents about various ways to save energy.

Older homes, because of their antiquated structure, are often inefficient and can be a financial burden.  High heating costs and drafty rooms plague many older homes, and often residents don’t know where to start when addressing these problems.

“This workshop is focused on energy-saving options for older homes,” said Doug Dick, MEC co-chair. “We understand that preserving the aesthetics of an older home is important so measures like insulation and air sealing might have to be done in a different way.”

The guest speaker, Melrose resident Conor McGuire, is an expert in this area. A LEED-accredited construction management professional and a member of the Melrose Historical Commission, McGuire specializes in energy-efficient and sustainable design. He frequently works on rehabilitation and preservation projects in the greater Boston area. McGuire is also a member of the Massachusetts Chapter of the United States Green Building Council.

Travis Estes of Next Step Living, a Mass Save participating Home Performance Contractor, will also speak. Homeowners who have questions are encouraged to bring photos of their homes. Because each old home has its own unique insulation and weatherization issues, the photo will make it easier to answer specific questions.

A major focus of the Melrose Energy Challenge is encouraging local residents to sign up for a free home energy assessment. So far more than 170 homeowners have taken the “Challenge” and had their homes assessed. At the mini-workshop, residents will be able to receive information and sign up for an assessment. For further details, see the Melrose Energy Commission Web site (www.melroseenergy.org).

This program is the second in a monthly series that will help residents learn about saving energy and taking better care of their homes. Future Melrose Energy Challenge mini-workshops will include selecting a new home heating system and repairing and restoring windows. Melrose residents are welcome to submit ideas for the workshops by e-mailing the MEC at info@melroseenergy.org.

For further information, contact the Melrose Energy Commission at info@melroseenergy.org or 781-662-2616.