MIDDLEBORO — Just in time for Halloween, Kimberly French presented a frightening fact to those attending a Sustainable Middleborough presentation Saturday, Oct. 22.

Between 25 and 45 percent of the energy used to heat or cool a home gets lost through air leaks, she told the audience of about 30 people who attended a  presentation on ways to save energy held at the Middleboro Library.

“That’s like opening your windows and letting the money fly out,’’ she said.

But that doesn’t have to be the case, she said. Weatherizing a home can potentially save hundreds of dollars on heating bills, which can be especially helpful as gas prices rise this season. 

French is a member of Sustainable Middleborough, a new, volunteer organization that works to help the community use energy resources wisely. The presentation served as the official launch of Insulate Middleborough, which encourages people to make their homes as energy efficient as possible. 

This effort helps to reduce overall emissions and to save money, she said. 

“A lot of folks are very concerned about this winter and how they’re going to pay their utility bill,’’ she said. “The very best way to reduce your heating bill is to insulate.’’

In communities with an older housing stock, such as Middleboro, “there’s so much old, leaky housing.’’ 

State Sen. Marc Pacheco, D-Taunton, said that programs are available at both the state and federal level to provide funds to make homes more energy efficient and prevent wasted resources. “The least expensive kilowatt is the one we don’t use,’’ he said.

Programs vary by income level and community, the speakers told the audience, but all agreed on a first step: Consumers should get an energy audit of their homes.

All residents are eligible for free energy audits, French said. The audit will show ways a home can be made more energy-efficient.

This audit “gives you a road map’’ of the best steps to take and when to do them, she said. By receiving an audit, consumers also receive free Smart Strip, gasket switch and light bulbs.

“An energy audit could show simple things you could do’’ to make a difference, Pacheco said.

Depending on income, consumers could receive all weatherization work paid for, up to $4,500. Beginning Jan. 1, 2023, households earning less than $199,950 could receive federal rebates of up to $7,000 for home energy retrofits, which could include insulation, heat pumps and electrical work. 

Lower incomes could earn up to $14,000 in rebates. Consumers could also qualify for rebates from Middleborough Gas & Electric. 

Sustainable Middleborough members stand ready to provide support and assistance, French said. They can help people wade through the legalese of rebates, grants and tax credits to figure out what program best suits their needs.

“Have no fear of what the audit may find,’’ according to information provided by Sustainable Middleborough. “You can start small and make a plan that works for you.’’ 

For more information on energy audits, call 888-772-4242.