NVCC Offers Green Courses for Homeowners - FREE

Humans weren't meant to hibernate: do something fun and productive this winter and take a green course for homeowners at Naugatuck Valley Community College, sponosred by Union Savings Bank.

From solar thermal to green building to sustainable landscaping to weatherization and ruuse solutions that will save you money--a multitude of interesting, inspiring and informative courses run from January to April. To register, call 203-575-8029 or email Ann Travers [email protected].

Solar Thermal for Homeowners your geothermal system

CRN 2747 • Danbury Center, 2 Sat., 1/8 & 1/15,

9 am - 12 pm, Rm: CL3

Instructor: Peter Governale

Is solar thermal energy a viable option for your home? Join us to learn basic solar energy principles, what it takes to install solar assisted hot water system, principal operating dynamics. Bring your own energy bills to calculate the cost effectiveness and return on investment for your home.

Geothermal for Homeowners

CRN 2748 • Danbury Center, 2 Sat., 1/22 & 1/29,

9 am - 12 pm, Rm: CL3, Instructor: Peter Governale

Why do nations such as Germany and Sweden have 97% of all new buildings space conditioned by geothermal? And why does the Iowa Board of Education mandate geothermal for its schools? Did you know that in 1993, the Environmental Protection Agency proclaimed “Geothermal heating and cooling is the most cost effective space conditioning system there is?” Join us to learn the fundamental principles of how geothermal energy works: practical applications for homes, businesses and schools; return on investment, cost effectiveness and life cycle fundamentals of installation procedures; technical principals of geothermal; what to look for in a contractor; available tax credits and state rebates; how making your home more energy efficient plays a role in designing your geothermal system.

Solar PV for Homeowners

CRN 2749 • Danbury Center, Thu., 2/10, 7 – 9 pm,

Rm: CL1, Instructor: Thomas Thompson

Learn about the many benefits and cost savings of implementing a solar photovoltaic system in your home. This course will provide information about Connecticut’s financial incentive programs for homeowners and the environmental impacts of PV installations.

Sustainable Landscaping for Homeowners

CRN 2618 • Danbury Center, 1 Sat., 3/12,

9 am - 12 pm, Rm: CL3

Instructor: Jane Didona

Discover how to develop a beautiful landscape that also creates native animal habitats, improves the surrounding environment, and does not deplete our natural resources. Learn about using native vs. non-native plants, four-season displays, biodiversity, invasive plant issues, and rain gardens. Find out how to handle a variety of landscape situations, from drought tolerance to wetland enhancement. Proper installations will be featured including soils, mulch, fertilizers and maintenance. This introduction is intended to whet your appetite to create a landscape that will feed not only your senses but enhance the planet.

Green Building for Homeowners:

CRN 2765 • 1 Sat., 3/26, 9 am - 12 pm, Rm: F222A,

Instructor: Kalyani Baxi

This three-hour course offers a basic understanding of green building design principles, building materials and products. Homeowners will find out how green building ideas can save them energy, money and increase property values.

Weatherization Techniques for the Home

CRN 2757 • 1 Sat., 4/2, 10 am - 1 pm, Rm: F126,

Instructor: David Castruccio

You pay good money for heating and cooling your home. But when you have air leaks in your attic or around windows and doors, you’re losing money along with your heat and air conditioning. Many homeowners are committed to working on their own homes to make them more energy efficient. Find out which areas in your home are the most common sites for uncontrolled air leakage. Come learn how you can effectively manage your home’s efficiency with safe air-sealing techniques and proper insulation installation methods.

The Reuse Solution for Homeowners

CRN 2758 • 1 Thu., 4/7, 7 - 9 pm, Rm: T648,

Instructor: Charles Paonessa

In this course, you will learn how to weigh the advantages of deconstruction vs. demolition. Eighty-five percent or more of the materials in an average deconstruction job can be salvaged, reused or recycled. Learn how homeowners are frequently eligible to receive a tax deduction for donated materials such as fixtures, doors, windows, lumber and other materials of deconstruction. Find out how you can reduce the cost of the overall project, prevent materials from overburdening landfills and give others the benefits of extending the life of building materials in new or remodeled homes.

 

Comments

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At a time when we think we should be retiring and settling into a life of shuffleboard and free lunches, perhaps we should be honing our skills to communicate to our successor generations values that are glossed over in today’s educational systems.

[Water heater prices]

I totaly support green energy. Why we shouldnt save some money and use mother nature, if is possibillity? Solar heaters are great for heating water in house. Ok we need to invest some money in beginning but all that we get back in some time. Green energy is a future us!