Wisconsin Ag Connection - Northcentral Home Energy Conservation Workshop Slated

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Northcentral Home Energy Conservation Workshop Slated
Wisconsin Ag Connection - 09/26/2008

The skyrocketing cost of energy is affecting almost every facet of our lives. As gasoline and diesel, home heating fuel, and electricity get more expensive, the price of almost everything else goes up correspondingly.

Energy use in the home accounts for 22 percent of the energy used in the United States. There are many things that can be done to conserve energy at home. Some are simple and inexpensive, such as turning off computers when not in use. Others may take a small amount of time and money, such as caulking windows. Some may be more expensive and complex but save energy and money in the long run.

Homeowners, renters, and people who are contemplating building a new home can learn about ways to save energy in the home by attending the second annual Northcentral Home Energy Conservation Workshop on October 11 at the Rib Lake High School. The program will cover alternative home heating systems, solar energy applications, energy saving ideas for new and existing homes, home energy audits, renewable electricity and alternative home construction methods. The workshop will cover the costs and payback potential of the various types of systems and practices as well as tax credits and cash incentives for various energy saving applications. Speakers will discuss practical, feasible ways to save money and energy and provide information that can be used to choose energy-saving practices.

The program includes 15 breakout sessions and includes a lunch featuring locally grown foods from the Price and Taylor County areas. In the afternoon, participants can choose from two options: a tour of two nearby homes demonstrating a variety of energy-saving practices, or a workshop on designing and building window quilts. The Price and Taylor County UW-Extension Offices and Land Conservation Departments, the Upper Chippewa River Basin Program, and Pri-Ru-Ta Resource Conservation and Development Council are sponsoring the program in partnership with Price Electric Cooperative, Taylor Electric Cooperative, Clark Electric Cooperative, Xcel Energy, Medford Electric Utility, Wisconsin Focus on Energy, and the Midwest Renewable Energy Association, with major funding through a grant from the Wisconsin Environmental Education Board.

Registration for the program is $20 per person before September 30 ($25 for late registrations) and includes the meal, materials, and all breakout sessions. Registrations and payment must be received at the Price County UW-Extension Office no later than September 30 to avoid the late fee.

For more information or a brochure, contact the Price County UW-Extension Office at 715-339-2555, or Taylor County UW-Extension at 715-748-3327.

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