Work Parties
About The Work Parties
Looking for something simple and cheap? There are dozens of easy ways to save energy at home. We help teams of neighbors work together to make these common-sense steps easy and fun.
A weatherization work party is simple. Set a date, and get a bunch of your neighbors to join in. Have everyone identify the leaks and cracks in their windows, doors, and walls and come to the work party with a sense of what they need to fix. When the event starts, Cooperative Energy Futures will provide a brief training in how to seal cracks, install window kits, and take other basic actions as well as informing everyone about other opportunities to save energy. Then, break up into teams and go house to house weatherizing the homes of those who show up. Many hands make light (and fun) work! At the end, add on some fun activities such as community art or games, music, or a potluck, and have a discussion of what else you would like to do together in the neighborhood.
As a variation, host a work party with a group that’s not linked to your block, such as a place of worship, school, social organization, etc. Weatherize a common building or split up and visit several members homes.
We Provide:
We’ll help you set the date, recruit your neighbors, and plan fun activities. On your work party date, we will provide:
- Training in how to seal air leaks and install window kits.
- Supplies (tube caulk, rope caulk, window plastic, weather-stripping, as well as non-air-sealing materials like low-flow shower-heads, efficient light-bulbs, etc. as desired) at bulk prices (see our product list for details).
- Tools you can use for the day, particularly caulk guns and hair dryers (used for window plastic). You can also bring your own.
- Information about other energy-saving opportunities, including bulk-buying for insulation, solar, and more and education, home energy improvement, and financing programs provided by other organizations.
If your group has five or more Cooperative Energy Futures members, we’ll provide the training and tools for free, only charging for the supplies at our bulk, members-only prices. If you don’t have five people who want to become members, we’ll charge the group $50 (split it up or get support from your neighborhood or other sponsor) plus supplies.
Sign Up or Learn More:
Do you want to sign up now to host a weatherization work party on your block, community center, or workplace this fall. Do you just want more information about the process? Please fill out the below sign-up form or call (612) 568-2334 to start one.
Just looking to work on your own home? We also offer in-home energy savings training workshops ($10) and sell products to individual households. Sign up at www.cooperativeenergyfutures.com/workshops
