Window Dressers a Success!

By Donald DeVoil, MEAC Member

Community volunteers at work during the January 2020 build.

For one week in the middle of January 2020, MEAC (Montpelier Energy Advisory Committee) in partnership with the non-profit Window Dressers, ran a workshop at the Berlin Mall, where they worked with community members to build interior storm window inserts for Montpelier residents. Unlike store-bought window treatment kits, these inserts are removable, and can be used for several years before the shrink wrap plastic needs to be replaced on the pine frame.

In total, 137 of these custom measured, “made to order” window inserts were built for 27 households, with about half of the inserts going to low-income families. The inserts are now helping Montpelier residents to save energy and lower their heating bills and the feed-back from workshop participants has been very positive. Sophia described her “beautiful storm-windows with wood-trim” and said that they “it perfectly on my current windows”. Stefanie said “I’m really happy with my inserts” and “I loved learning how they were made and actually being part of the process”.

Because the event asked recipients to take part in the workshop, it did more than just build window inserts that improved the energy efficiency of people’s homes. It helped to build community as well. In total, over 50 volunteers (both window insert recipients and other interested community members) signed up for half day shifts. Participants worked together, learned new skills together and established connection with fellow members of their community.

With so many more local homes that would benefit from window inserts, MEAC plans to make the workshop an annual event. If you are interested in ordering window inserts for next winter, or would simply like to become involved with the program, more information is available at windowdressers.org.

Note: Window Dressers is on hold for 2020-2021 due to the coronavirus pandemic but we hope to bring the program back to Montpelier in the future.