SADC plans workshops

    HOULTON — The Southern Aroostook Development Corporation (SADC) in collaboration with the town of Houlton is presenting a series of workshops on home heating and efficiency programs entitled “Are Alternative Fuels/Energy in My Future?”
    This six-week course is designed with the novice homeowner in mind, according to Jon McLaughlin, SADC executive director. The series of workshops begins starting Wednesday, April 18 at Houlton Regional Hospital’s Health Education Center.
    Further into the series, participants will be presented information on various alternative heating systems such as wood pellets, heat pumps and solar panels. The course concludes with a session on calculating savings on various heating systems and fuel sources, financing options for alternative heating systems and incentives.
    The workshops are free, however, pre-registration is required. Participants can attend one or all of the workshops. To signup, e-mail McLaughlin at sadc@aroostook21.com and include your name, and list which workshop(s) you are planning to attend. 
    • Wednesday, April 18 — The History of Heating Maine Homes and An Introduction to Alternative Fuels, will be held from 5:15-6 p.m. Presenters will be Wade Hanson, economic development director for the Houlton Band of Maliseets, and McLaughlin.
    • Thursday, April 19 — Basic Building Science, 5:15-6 p.m. at Houlton Regional Hospital’s Health Education Center. Topics include basic principles of home construction and why homes lose heat; basic thermal terminology; basic heat flow terminology; and building diagnostics terminology. The presenter is Lany Sherman, Buildings Etc.
    • Wednesday, April 25 — New Insulation Technology and Conservation, 5:15-6 p.m. Presenters will be Scott Dionne, S.W. Collins Company, and Mike Howard, Region II School of Technology.
    • Wednesday, May 2 — Heat Loss in Buildings, 5:15-6 p.m. Presenters will be Bill Goetsch, Region II School of Technology; Peter Chase, Buildings Etc.; and Mark Burnett, Foam Insulation of New England. Topics include outside observations, energy audits and building envelope.
    Workshops will also be held  May 8, 15 and 23.