Local residents spent part of Saturday learning how to stay warmer this winter and save money doing so.

A total of $700,000 from the U.S. Department of Energy to go toward cash rebates and upgrading energy efficiency in homes is available through the Peterborough Renewable Energy Project and HeatSmart+, the incentive program funded by the Department of Energy. The program was rolled out at Peterborough’s Town House and will also be presented in Harrisville Saturday, Jan. 25.

“We’re excited to let people know about the incentives,” said Trisha Cheever, energy and community planner for Peterborough. Cheever’s table at the Town House was at the center of the room along with Alica DeBruin, a community energy fellow who is also coordinating the efforts.

“We opened at 11, but people were lined up at 10:30,” said Cheever.

Most of the programs offered are for residential buildings.

“I’d encourage homeowners to reach out to us,” said DeBruin as she handed out a “Rebate Timeline” form.

The upstairs hall sported tables and volunteers from organizations that provide free information and energy coaches to help people make their homes “tighter and warmer,” in DeBruin’s words, “tighter” referring to weatherization that can keep homes from losing heat.

“A good way to start is an energy audit,” said DeBruin, explaining that can include checking a home’s roof after a snowfall. “If it’s still cold outside but there’s no snow on the roof, that can mean that heat from the house or attic is escaping through the roof, as it’s melting the snow on it.”

The grant that made these funds available to the two towns was written by Bob Haring-Smith and Dori Drachman of Peterborough Renewable Energy Project.

“If you had more than one town involved, it improved your chances of getting it,” said Haring-Smith. “And Harrisville already had an energy committee established before this process.”

Drachman was having people sign up to be contacted by an energy coach.

“We’re advocates for residents. We have no financial stake in the steps someone might take,” she said.

Jim VanValkenburgh was educating visitors about how various public spaces are being heated with wood, but not pellets. Froling Energy of Peterborough processes wood chips, which currently heat the town Police Department, the community center and the library, among other spaces.

“We heat buildings that are hard to heat using their existing infrastructure,” said VanValkenburgh, adding that using dry wood chips in New Hampshire provides heat at the equivalent of heating oil at $1.20 a gallon. “And chips are 50% less costly than pellets to produce.”

At the NH Saves table, Philip LaMoreaux, an energy efficiency consultant with Eversource, was encouraging homeowners to have an energy audit.

“Regardless of your heat source, you should take advantage of incentives. Most homes will qualify for $6,000 of incentives,” said LaMoreaux. Incentives are available to households earning up to 150% of the medium income based on U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development figures for the region.

To help get the word out, Heat Smart+ will host Energy Efficient Trivia at Post & Beam Brewing in Peterborough Tuesday at 6 p.m., the screening of “Down to Earth with Zac Efron” at diVINE on Main on Wednesday, Jan. 22, from 6 to 8 p.m., a meet-and-greet at the Harrisville General Store midday Thursday and an Energy Craft and Chat event at the Peterborough Town Library at 6 p.m. Friday.

Another event rollout will be held Jan. 25 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Granite Mill in Harrisville.