Seminars to teach home weatherization

PALMER — If you need help winterizing your home, the Valley’s recycling center’s got you covered.

Valley Community for Recycling Solutions will be hosting a two-day series of classes from the Alaska Craftsman Home Project.

Starting at 8 a.m. and running to 5 p.m. both Saturday and Sunday, the series of free two-hour classes will teach about everything from air-tightness to insulation, doors and windows to heating and hot water.

“The only class that’s on there that we’re not teaching in Wasilla is lighting and appliances,” said Alicia Amberg, assistant director of the project. “We used to have a perfect eight-class schedule, but now we’ve added a ninth.”

A sample from the course descriptions:

“How to Choose a Contractor (2 hours): This course is designed to empower homeowners with the information and resources to determine what type of contractor to hire and how to research a contractor’s qualifications, licenses, insurance and references. The class also discusses the process of obtaining and comparing estimates along with recommendations on contracts.”

The rest of the class descriptions are available online at achpalaska.com.

The classes count as continuing education for people with professional licenses like real estate agents and contractors.

Amberg said the classes aren’t the first in the Valley, but are the first since VCRS moved into its new facility next to the Mat-Su Borough Animal Care and Regulation Shelter just off of 49th State Street.

“We’re really excited to use that facility and partner with them,” Amberg said.

The Craftsman Home Project is heavily tied to the state’s energy rebate program and the seminars are co-sponsored by the Alaska Housing Finance Corp.

“Anyone can attend. You don’t have to be involved in the rebate program,” she said.

Space is limited, though, so anyone interested should head to the Alaska Craftsman Home Project’s website to register or call (907) 258-2247.