Colder weather is nearing and for many, staying warm in winter is a priority. An economical and helpful way to do that is to participate in the WindowDressers program.
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| The second WindowDressers Community Build will be held Dec. 1 to Dec. 6 at the South Windham Fire Station. The program offers low-cost or free insulated window inserts placed in windows to keep heat in homes during winter. A deadline of Nov. 1 is nearing to measure windows and anyone interested in participating should sign up now. SUBMITTED PHOTO |
The program brings together community volunteers of all economic and social situations together to improve the warmth and comfort of interior spaces, lower heating costs, and reduce emissions by producing low-cost insulating window inserts that function as custom, interior-mounted storm windows.
Camille Beaulieu, an AmeriCorps volunteer serving with the Town of Windham, is organizing the second Window Dressers Community Build from Dec. 1 to Dec. 6 at the South Windham Fire Station.
Beaulieu said insulated window inserts help prevent heat loss in homes, much of which occurs through windows with about 30 percent of an average home’s heat loss occurring through windows and doors.
“Our custom-built window inserts significantly reduce this heat loss by creating two additional sealed air spaces: one between the insert and window and another between the two plastic layers,” she said. “This effectively doubles window insulation, making homes more energy efficient and comfortable throughout the winter. Our research shows that, in a typical house, and one medium sized insert (30 inches by 52 inches) can save an average of 8.5 gallons of heating oil every year.”
“Inserts are free for those who cannot afford to pay, and low cost for middle- and high-income households,” Beaulieu said. “WindowDressers keeps their insert prices exceptionally low at about 50 to 75 percent cheaper than commercial products through their non-profit model of cooperative insert-building. This means that customers contribute time at our local Community Build.”
Last year was the first year that Age Friendly Windham (AFW) participated in the WindowDressers community build event.
Age Friendly Windham Coordinator Erica Bell-Watkins said the program aligns with the organization’s action plan to help facilitate weatherization programs for the community. It also aligns with the Town of Windham’s energy plan 2023 to educate and assist residents with utilizing energy efficiency programs.
“It was a wonderful community building event that brought people from the region of all ages, backgrounds and life experiences together,” Bell-Watkins said. “Students from Saint Joseph’s College hopped in to help along with volunteers from several organizations and the window receipts. We shared meals and stories."
Residents of the Sebago Lakes Region, which includes Windham, Raymond and Standish, can sign up now for inserts which will be built and distributed in January.
The inserts are built of attractive pine frames and wrapped drum-tight with two layers of durable plastic film. These layers create an insulating air space while letting in all the light and views. Foam weather stripping around the outer edges stops drafts and ensures the insert’s snug fit.
All inserts are built at the community build event, where volunteers and customers come together to assemble them. Each insert is made in a few simple steps with the help of custom jigs, which guide every step of assembly so that anyone, regardless of experience, can easily and consistently build inserts.
“Customers install the window inserts themselves once they bring them home,” Beaulieu said. “The inserts are lightweight and designed to slide easily into the inside of the window. Each insert has a small pull tab at the bottom for removal at the end of the heating season.”
The WindowDressers program is supported through a diverse range of funding sources, including individual donations and grants from foundations across New England.
According to Beaulieu, WindowDressers is still actively accepting insert requests and actively measuring windows. The measuring deadline is Nov. 1 so all orders must be in and measured before then.
“Anyone who wants to request inserts should do so now, so volunteers have enough time to measure all windows by Nov. 1,” Beaulieu said. “We are also asking folks to volunteer to build window inserts with us Dec. 1 to 6 at this link: https://signup.com/client/invitation2/secure/922215120126/false#/invitation. You can also sign up to provide food, if you're unable or not available for build shifts.” <
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