Many New Englanders are feeling the pinch with heating bills after an unusually cold winter and the rise of record-setting oil prices. Residents who have the leakiest homes are often the least likely to be able to afford energy efficiency measures. About 30% of heat loss is through windows and doors, but replacing windows can be one of the most expensive weatherization projects to undertake. 

WindowDressers Community Builds provide an innovative solution to these interlocking problems with Insulating Window Inserts, which stop drafts and lower heating bills. The inserts are free for those who cannot afford to pay, and low-cost for middle and higher income households and businesses. Those who are receiving inserts are asked to participate at the Community Build where their inserts are being assembled alongside other community volunteers, like an old fashioned barn raising.

Unfortunately, there are many communities in Northern New England who are not able to benefit from these inserts, because we are only able to reach people within short driving distances from our volunteer-run Community Builds. 

Are you interested in helping neighbors lower their heating bills, reduce emissions, and make their homes more comfortable? Do you believe energy efficiency should be accessible to all? Do you support projects that bring neighbors together to build community?

Contact us today to learn about starting your own Community Build! 

Phone: 207-596-3073. Maine – ex 1. Vermont and New Hampshire – ex 2.
ME Program Manager: Meaghan LaSala, meaghan.lasala@windowdressers.org.
VT & NH Program Manager: Jessica Williams, jessica.williams@windowDressers.org 

Leading a Community Build is a rewarding experience. These testimonials speak to why so many choose to take on this role.

“Being a Local Coordinator has been a great experience for me. One client told me that his daughter no longer needs to sleep in the living room because her own room is now warm. Another was thrilled because now his oil should last the winter. Others have told me that the heat comes on less frequently. Being a local coordinator has enabled me to serve my community in an incredibly fulfilling way.” –Christine Siebert, Orono, ME Local Coordinator

“As coordinators of a first-time community build, we felt totally supported by the WindowDressers “Central” staff. They have thought through every detail needed to enable a bunch of volunteers who have never done it before to successfully make hundreds of good-fitting window inserts— from getting customer orders, to measuring the windows accurately, to signing up volunteers, to providing really great videos of the assembly steps and the jigs that make it almost impossible to mess up. Our staff contact, Jessica, was available any and every time we had a question. Besides building inserts, we also built “community” through new connections within and among our towns. We’re eager to do it again. – Linda Gray of Norwich, VT and Judy Payne of Hanover, NH