Volunteers
1. What is a Barnraising?
2. Why is it called a "Barnraising?"
3. Why should I join a Barnraising?
4. Do I need previous weatherization or construction experience to attend a Barnraising?
5. What is a team leader? How can I apply to be one?
6. Where do I sign up for a Barnraising?
7. What should I wear to a Barnraising?
1. What is a Barnraising?
2. Why is it called a "Barnraising?"
3. Why should I join a Barnraising?
4. Do I need previous weatherization or construction experience to attend a Barnraising?
5. What is a team leader? How can I apply to be one?
6. Where do I sign up for a Barnraising?
7. What should I wear to a Barnraising?
Volunteers
1. What is a Barnraising?
A Barnraising is a community event that brings together volunteers to weatherize a building in one day. Weatherization is the practice modifying a building to reduce energy consumption and optimize energy efficiency. We organize volunteers into teams according to project and is led by a team leader. Projects are divided according to difficulty and include tasks such as sealing air leaks with caulk and spray foam, weatherstripping, special projects that require carpentry, and much more. The event is followed by food, music, and fun! 2. Why is it called a "Barnraising"?
The term "Barnraising" comes from the Amish tradition of a people coming together to assemble a barn for a member of the community. Like an actual Barnraising, we gather the community together for a common purpose. Instead of constructing something from scratch, our “Energy Barnraisings” seek to improve an already-standing building through weatherization activities, such as sealing air leaks. 3. Why should I join a Barnraising?
You should join Barnraisings so you can learn weatherization skills that can help you reduce your carbon footprint and decrease your utility bills in your own home while connecting and helping the rest of the Worcester community! 4. Do I need previous weatherization or construction experience to attend a Barnraising?
No, we welcome volunteers of all experience levels. One of our primary goals of a Barnraising is to teach weatherization skills to those with little or no previous experience so they can apply these skills to future Barnraisings and to their own home. 5. What is a team leader? How can I apply to be one?
A team leader is a volunteer that agrees to lead a group for a specific weatherization project. Team leaders are required to attend a team leader training sometime before the actual Barnraising as well as arrive at least an hour early the day-of. Previous weatherization or construction experience is valuable but not required. You can apply to be a team leader by saying you wish to be one when you sign up for a Barnraising.
6. Where do I sign up for a Barnraising?
You can sign up for upcoming Barnraisings here. To sign up for a Barnraising you need to provide your name and contact information. You are also asked to list any relevant skills (i.e. carpentry, experience with power tools, photography and video recording skills to help document the Barnraising, etc.) that may be helpful for towards a Barnraising. 7. What should I wear to a Barnraising?
You should wear close-toed shoes, and clothes that you do not not mind being damaged or getting dirty. We advise to not wear jewelry and to bring something to tie your hair back or keep it off your face. It is particularly advised to wear either a hat or bandana and a shirt that you don’t mind ruining for anybody wishing to use spray foam - once spray foam gets on clothing or hair it may never come off! We will provide safety equipment, including goggles, gloves, respirator masks, and other safety materials.
1. How do I know if I am eligible for a Barnraising?
Non-profits tend to not qualify for state or utility run weatherization programs, but are eligible for a Barnraising through our organization. Unlike non-profits, individual homeowners may be eligible for the Worcester Community Action Council (WCAC) weatherization assistance program, or the utility-run Mass Save program and we recommend contacting those programs first. However, if you are a homeowner and do not qualify for these programs, we encourage you to contact the Worcester Energy Barn-raisers.
2. How do I request an energy audit/Barnraising?
You can request an energy audit or Barnraising here.
3. How much does a Barnraising cost?
An average Barnraising has a cost of $600-900 in materials. All labor is free. We are willing to collaborate on fundraisers to help pay for materials.
4. Are there any other programs out there that do free energy auditing or weatherization work?
Individual homeowners may be eligible for the Worcester Community Action Council (WCAC) weatherization assistance program, or the utility-run Mass Save program. There are also many other groups similar to ours across Massachusetts and the rest of the United States. We have a partial list in our Links section.
General
1. How do I start my own Barnraising group?
We would be happy to answer any questions that you may have. Our contact information is listed here. 2. How can I get more involved / how do I join the Barnraiser's planning team?
Feel free to sit in on one of our weekly meetings! We accept new planning committee members regardless of previous experience. We typically meet on Monday's at 7:30pm at a rotating location. Please call 1(508)377-3WEB to find out the location. You can also receive newsletters, and notifications of future events by subscribing to our list-serv here.
Back to top1. What is a Barnraising?
A Barnraising is a community event that brings together volunteers to weatherize a building in one day. Weatherization is the practice modifying a building to reduce energy consumption and optimize energy efficiency. We organize volunteers into teams according to project and is led by a team leader. Projects are divided according to difficulty and include tasks such as sealing air leaks with caulk and spray foam, weatherstripping, special projects that require carpentry, and much more. The event is followed by food, music, and fun! 2. Why is it called a "Barnraising"?
The term "Barnraising" comes from the Amish tradition of a people coming together to assemble a barn for a member of the community. Like an actual Barnraising, we gather the community together for a common purpose. Instead of constructing something from scratch, our “Energy Barnraisings” seek to improve an already-standing building through weatherization activities, such as sealing air leaks. 3. Why should I join a Barnraising?
You should join Barnraisings so you can learn weatherization skills that can help you reduce your carbon footprint and decrease your utility bills in your own home while connecting and helping the rest of the Worcester community! 4. Do I need previous weatherization or construction experience to attend a Barnraising?
No, we welcome volunteers of all experience levels. One of our primary goals of a Barnraising is to teach weatherization skills to those with little or no previous experience so they can apply these skills to future Barnraisings and to their own home. 5. What is a team leader? How can I apply to be one?
A team leader is a volunteer that agrees to lead a group for a specific weatherization project. Team leaders are required to attend a team leader training sometime before the actual Barnraising as well as arrive at least an hour early the day-of. Previous weatherization or construction experience is valuable but not required. You can apply to be a team leader by saying you wish to be one when you sign up for a Barnraising.
6. Where do I sign up for a Barnraising?
You can sign up for upcoming Barnraisings here. To sign up for a Barnraising you need to provide your name and contact information. You are also asked to list any relevant skills (i.e. carpentry, experience with power tools, photography and video recording skills to help document the Barnraising, etc.) that may be helpful for towards a Barnraising. 7. What should I wear to a Barnraising?
You should wear close-toed shoes, and clothes that you do not not mind being damaged or getting dirty. We advise to not wear jewelry and to bring something to tie your hair back or keep it off your face. It is particularly advised to wear either a hat or bandana and a shirt that you don’t mind ruining for anybody wishing to use spray foam - once spray foam gets on clothing or hair it may never come off! We will provide safety equipment, including goggles, gloves, respirator masks, and other safety materials.
Back to top
Homeowners8. What should I bring to a Barnraising?
You are not required to bring anything to a Barnraising. If you have tools for personal use or that you are willing to provide for communal use during the event you are highly encouraged to bring them. Please clearly label any tools you bring so you can easily collect them at the end of the Barnraising. Food donations are also accepted for Barnraising events.
You are not required to bring anything to a Barnraising. If you have tools for personal use or that you are willing to provide for communal use during the event you are highly encouraged to bring them. Please clearly label any tools you bring so you can easily collect them at the end of the Barnraising. Food donations are also accepted for Barnraising events.
1. How do I know if I am eligible for a Barnraising?
Non-profits tend to not qualify for state or utility run weatherization programs, but are eligible for a Barnraising through our organization. Unlike non-profits, individual homeowners may be eligible for the Worcester Community Action Council (WCAC) weatherization assistance program, or the utility-run Mass Save program and we recommend contacting those programs first. However, if you are a homeowner and do not qualify for these programs, we encourage you to contact the Worcester Energy Barn-raisers.
2. How do I request an energy audit/Barnraising?
You can request an energy audit or Barnraising here.
3. How much does a Barnraising cost?
An average Barnraising has a cost of $600-900 in materials. All labor is free. We are willing to collaborate on fundraisers to help pay for materials.
4. Are there any other programs out there that do free energy auditing or weatherization work?
Individual homeowners may be eligible for the Worcester Community Action Council (WCAC) weatherization assistance program, or the utility-run Mass Save program. There are also many other groups similar to ours across Massachusetts and the rest of the United States. We have a partial list in our Links section.
General
1. How do I start my own Barnraising group?
We would be happy to answer any questions that you may have. Our contact information is listed here. 2. How can I get more involved / how do I join the Barnraiser's planning team?
Feel free to sit in on one of our weekly meetings! We accept new planning committee members regardless of previous experience. We typically meet on Monday's at 7:30pm at a rotating location. Please call 1(508)377-3WEB to find out the location. You can also receive newsletters, and notifications of future events by subscribing to our list-serv here.
3. I have some extra tools, can I give it to the Barnraisers?
Yes! Please look at our donate page to see how you can donate your tools. 4. Who should I contact to get more information?
You can contact us at energybarnraising@gmail.com or call us at 1(508)377-3WEB.
Yes! Please look at our donate page to see how you can donate your tools. 4. Who should I contact to get more information?
You can contact us at energybarnraising@gmail.com or call us at 1(508)377-3WEB.