Fix-It Fair: Resource Saving Tips for the Home, Yard and Community

Do you live in one of the 75,000 homes in the area without adequate insulation? Does your furnace need a tune-up? Are your faucets leaky? If you answered yes to any of these questions, then the Neighborhood Fix-It Fair is the place for you. The Fix-It Fair will be held on Saturday, November 20^th, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Cascade Campus of Portland Community College, located at 705 North Killingsworth, Portland.

Sponsored by the Portland Energy Office, the fair will host a variety of local agencies and retailers who will present information and hands-on demonstrations on how to solve simple household problems. Throughout the day, free how-to workshops will be offered. Also, lower income households can enroll in Portland’s Block-by-Block Program to receive FREE home weatherization.

The following is a sample of past workshops fair attendees have enjoyed:

Weatherization Workshops: Learn simple, efficient ways to stay warm and lower your utility bills. Those who attend the weatherization workshop receive a FREE WEATHERIZATION KIT that includes five plastic storm windows and weather-stripping.

Furnace Basics: Learn about maintenance, carbon monoxide safety concerns, when to repair or replace your furnace or thermostat and how to select a new furnace.

Home Repair: Get tips so you can fix it yourself.

Water Conservation: Find out how to save $80 per year on your water and sewer bill by fixing leaking sinks, showers and toilets. Those who attend the water conservation workshop receive free water-saving materials valued at $25.

Natural Gardening: Learn about alternatives to pesticides and get tips on how to plant and maintain a healthy low-water garden.

Pruning and Tree Care: Winter is pruning time. Get advice from an Urban Forestry expert.

Healthy Homes: Is your home making you sick? The workshop will cover carbon monoxide, mold and mildew problems, lead poisoning and other indoor health hazards.

Bicycle Repairs: Do you want to start riding your bike more and drive less? Come pick up free Bicycle Portland Maps and learn how to fix flats and other straightforward repairs.

Don’t miss the chance to insulate your home free of charge through the City’s Block-by-Block program. For a complete schedule of classes or other Fix-It Fair information, contact the City of Portland Energy Office at (503) 823-7222.

Side Bar

What is Block-by-Block?

Block-by-Block (BBB) is a neighborhood-oriented energy savings program providing energy use education and weatherization services to lower income families. Both renters and homeowners are eligible to participate. Contractor installed energy measures are provided if the home is uninsulated and income guidelines are met (50% of median, i.e. $1,625/month for three persons).

Today, five objectives help direct the BBB program. 1) Target houses not served by other weatherization programs. 2) Empower residents to take control of their energy use through education and self-help resources. 3) Provide a basic weatherization measure that is highly cost effective. 4) Reach a large number of residents by helping to bridge the gap between need and public resources. 5) Leverage financial contributions beyond city funding.

This year BBB will weatherize over 125 homes saving an average of $100 per household on wintertime energy bills. More than 2,350 houses have been weatherized over the twelve-year life of BBB, saving Portland households $235,000 each year!