Workshops target energy

Residents challenged by high home heating costs may benefit from four workshops offered in Talkeetna and Palmer by the University of Alaska Fairbanks Cooperative Extension Service.

Talkeetna workshops will be offered at Talkeetna Elementary.

n Retrofit of Existing Homes will run from 3:30 to 6:30 p.m. on Wednesday. This workshop will cover windows, ventilation, cold climate options, walls, roofs and materials. A $5 fee will include the retrofit manual.

n An Introduction to Solar Design for Alaskans will be offered from 5:30 to 9:30 p.m. Thursday. Seifert will discuss Alaska-specific solar aspects, recent experience with solar hot water installations, photovoltaic’s and optimizing passive design with energy conservation. There is no fee for this workshop.

Palmer workshops will be offered at Mat-Su College on Friday and Saturday.

n The Solar Design class will be taught from 1 to 5 p.m. Friday in Room FSM 202. There is no fee for this workshop.

n The Cold Climate Homebuilding Techniques workshop will run from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday in JKB 122 at Mat-Su College. The workshop will focus on insulating homes and will cover options for retrofit, ventilation, indoor air quality and permafrost and foundations. It is designed to help homeowners who plan to build a new home or retrofit an existing structure. Participants receive a free manual with a CD.

Preregistration is requested for all workshops. To register for the Talkeetna workshops, call 733-2252 or call 352-3876 to leave a message.

Register for the Palmer workshop by calling 745-3360. For more information, call Seifert at 800-478-8324.

For information, contact the Cooperative Extension Service, 809 S Chugach Suite 2, Palmer, or call 907-745-3360.