SOUTH PORTLAND — In response to a recent spike in oil prices and cuts to the Low Income Heating Assistance Program (LIHEAP), Southern Maine Community College ( SMCC) plans to offer free weatherization courses next week.

The classes, offered through SMCC’s Continuing Studies Department, will be taught at the Sustainable Energy Alternatives Center ( SEA Center) on the South Portland campus.

Workshops will run from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Tuesday and from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. Jan. 28.

“Our college’s mission is to empower people with skills to respond to a changing world,” Ron Cantor, president of SMCC said. “ By offering a free weatherization workshop, we give people the opportunity to stay warm at a time when oil prices are rising and heating assistance and temperatures are dropping.”

During the two-hour class students will receive instruction on how heat escapes houses and what cost-effective measures maximize energy efficiency. The workshop will focus on no- or low-cost improvements and include a discussion about financing opportunities for larger-scale solutions.

Participants also will receive installation tips and techniques for using basic weatherization materials.

“People will learn very low cost ways to reduce their energy consumption by up to 25 percent,” said John Brautigam, director of SMCC’s SEA Center. “For a lot of families, that could be the difference between staying warm this winter or having their oil tank run dry.”

While the classes are free and open to the public, advanced registration is required. People can register for the free course by calling 741- 5862 or by emailing mcox@smccme.edu.

More information about the course can be found on SMCC’s website at www.smccme.edu/free-weatherization.

news@timesrecord.com