Join A "Barnraising" in Lexington!

We have wonderful opportunities for people to join old friends and meet new ones, learn home energy saving skills, and help fellow Lexingtonians weatherize their homes, save money and reduce their carbon footprint.

Here's how a weatherization barnraising works: a homeowner (or renter) gets an energy audit, buys materials that the audit recommends (most weatherization materials are fairly inexpensive), and agrees to help with three other barnraisings. Then, on a Saturday or Sunday afternoon, twenty to forty people show up to help with such things as installing programmable thermostats, caulking leaks, changing bulbs and showerheads, insulating pipes, and whatever else is necessary. Experienced people will be on hand to lead various work groups, and while prior skill is helpful, anyone and everyone is welcome to participate and learn something new. Afterwards the homeowner feeds us as we celebrate by listening to great music and having a party!

The Cambridge Home Energy Efficiency Team (HEET) has been doing barnraisings since last summer with great success. Every barnraising has been oversubscribed with volunteers, and participating homeowners have been delighted, not only with the work done, but with the sense of friendship and community that a barnraising brings.

If you'd like to sign up as a homeowner or volunteer, or if you have any questions, contact Adam Sacks at adam_artist@yahoo.com. For more detailed information, check out the HEET Manual.