Volunteers Build Window Inserts (Part 2)
In the Fall 2021 issue of the Sustainable Hanover Committee Newsletter, Yolanda Baumgartner wrote an article about the Window Dressers project that was taking place in November at the Norwich Congregational Church. Volunteers came together to construct window inserts for those in the Norwich/Hanover area to reduce energy loss from windows during the winter months. This article is a report of how the project worked out.
This is my second time volunteering for Window Dressers – Thetford, VT was my first experience. There are many things to admire about these projects but one that always impresses me is that Window Dressers projects are well organized and structured. Imagine arriving at the construction site at 8:30 am with a dozen other volunteers who probably don’t have any idea what they are going to be doing let alone how to do it! After less than 45 minutes of instruction on how to build a window frame, the work begins. Thanks to prior volunteers, stations for construction had been set up. Beginning at the first station, the window frames, individually measured and ready for assembly, are put together, then moved to the next station where the plastic cover is attached, then on to successive stations until the finished product is placed along the wall under the name of the person for whom they are being made. Breaks are encouraged. Thanks to King Arthur Flour contributions as well as those of other volunteers, they are a delight and a chance to socialize.
After four and one half days, the Norwich/Hanover team had constructed around 200 frames for 28 households which were ready to be picked up. Following Window Dressers directions (each window carefully labeled), the new owners’ place their inserts in the windows and the energy savings begin.
All households are eligible for the Window Dressers projects (see windowdressers.org/ for details). Financial help is available for those who need it. The cost varies, of course, depending on the size of the window. For some who are planning on having their windows replaced in the future, this is a great interim step. There are plans underway for another project in Norwich/Hanover tentatively scheduled October 13-20, 2020 at the Church of Christ Dartmouth College.
For more information, contact Dennis Robison (robisode@yahoo.com) or Yolanda Baumgartner (sustainablehanovernh@gmail.com).
Some local testimonials:
Our inserts are working great - especially in the upstairs bathroom when we take our showers in these cold temperatures. -Cathy
Normally when the outside temperatures drop below 20 degrees at night, our windows form a thin layer of frost around the bottom of the glass. Now with the window inserts that is not happening at all! When walking by the windows with the inserts on chilly days/nights, I no longer feel a slight "breeze". This is a huge improvement. I'm so thankful. -AbbyWe have noticed it is easier to keep the house warmer now during these colder weather days after installing the inserts. They were easy to install and all were sized correctly. It was a job well done! We thank you. -Hanover customer
My inserts all fit perfectly and I'm feeling secure that less precious warm air escapes. I will volunteer again another year to pay back the generosity shown me. -Sandy