The homes, commercial, and residential buildings in Maine are among the oldest in the country, and the architecture of these buildings helps define the character of New England’s towns.  Unfortunately, it also helps define our fuel bills.  Maine’s historic buildings are expensive to heat and cool, and with 80% of Maine homes relying on #2 fuel oil, that expense is rapidly rising.

Last year, the historic Rockland Public Library took control of those bills with an energy efficiency retrofit that cut the historic building’s energy use in half.  On Saturday, October 13, the public is invited to learn about the project during this year’s Northeast Sustainable Energy Association’s Green Buildings Open House.   From 11 am to 3 pm, the City’s Energy Committee will lead brief tours of the building and explain key aspects of the energy upgrades. In addition, Evergreen Home Performance – the Rockland-based energy efficiency audits & contracting company that engineered and installed the first phase of improvements – will give presentations on the project at 11:30 am and 1:30 pm.

The Green Buildings Open House kicks off National Energy Awareness Month by offering inspiration and information about energy efficiency.  Last year, nearly 11,000 people toured 500 homes, businesses, and public buildings showcasing energy-efficient design, systems, and products, as well as renewables.

The Northeast Sustainable Energy Association asked the Library to participate in this year’s Open House because “we believe the Public Library in Rockland, Maine is a great example of energy efficiency,” said NESEA’s Kelsey Hobson.  “This is a great opportunity to show people the energy efficiency makeover that the library has undergone.

Spend an hour or two at the Library during the Green Buildings Open House to learn more about this project, and to see what you lessons you can take home to reduce home or business energy bill.

To find other green buildings in Maine, visit the Green Buildings Open House listings at www.nesea.org/gboh. To learn more about the Library project and Evergreen Home Performance, call 594-2244 or visit www.evergreenyourhome.com.