Energy Assistance Program: 3 STeps

1. Home Energy Performance Audit

A home energy audit is the first step in assessing how much energy a home consumes and evaluates what measures can be taken to make the home more efficient. Our energy audits consist of two parts: the blower door test and the initial walk-through. The blower door is specialized equipment that allows us to measure the level of air infiltration by surveying the extent of air leaks in the home envelope. As a leading cause of inefficiency in homes, air infiltration can potentially drive up the price of utility bills due to its impact on heating/cooling systems. While the blower door test is running, members will walk-through the home and search for areas where such energy loss might be occurring. By the end of this two-step process we will have an idea of how much work will be needed and provide an estimated cost. Audits are always free.

2. Weatherization

Depending on the results of the initial home energy assessment, Green Iowa members will schedule a follow up weatherization to address problem areas. Members spend anywhere between 2-8 hours reducing air infiltration and making efficiency improvements to the home. Each home is different.
Cost of labor is always free. Cost of materials used to be free only for qualifying households, and provided at-cost for non-qualifying households. During the 2016-2017 service year, a change was made to provide all services absolutely free for everyone!

3. Evaluation & Education

After making the needed adjustments, the team will conduct a post-weatherization blower door test to calculate the effectiveness of the service. If requested, members can also inform the resident on energy and money saving strategies or refer them to their local utility provider for additional information.

Weatherization materials are free to everyone that receives our services. Energy audits are always free. Cost of labor is always free. A typical weatherization will tackle problems such as:

WINDOWS: Permanent solutions such as caulking and sealing around window frame, installing sash locks. Seasonal (temporary) solutions include rope caulking and window kits.
DOORS: Installing weather stripping, door sweeps, caulking.
ATTIC ACCESSES: Insulating attic access door, seal perimeter with foam tape, ensure a tight seal with a latch lock or weight.
OUTLETS: Insulating outlets and light switches with foam gaskets.
RIM JOISTS: Sealing the area where the foundation meets the house frame with friction-fit rigid foam and caulk.
DUCTS: Sealing duct joints with HVAC tape and/or mastic.
WATER PIPE: Insulating hot and cold water pipes with foam sleeves to reduce conductive heat loss.
EFFICIENCY IMPROVEMENTS: Installing Light-Emitting Diodes (LEDs) and low-flow sink & shower aerators.

OUR MISSION

Together, our team focuses on the three C's of weatherization: Cost, Comfort, and Conservation. Whether you're interested in reducing utility costs, creating more comfortable living spaces, or conserving our natural resources, our weatherization services can help! Members of Green Iowa AmeriCorps undergo training and earn Building Analyst Professional certification from the Building Performance Institute (BPI). Armed with this training, our service teams assess a home's efficiency, evaluate problem areas, and seek potential solutions.

Energy Assistance Program: 3 STeps

1. Home Energy Performance Audit

A home energy audit is the first step in assessing how much energy a home consumes and evaluates what measures can be taken to make the home more efficient. Our energy audits consist of two parts: the blower door test and the initial walk-through. The blower door is specialized equipment that allows us to measure the level of air infiltration by surveying the extent of air leaks in the home envelope. As a leading cause of inefficiency in homes, air infiltration can potentially drive up the price of utility bills due to its impact on heating/cooling systems. While the blower door test is running, members will walk-through the home and search for areas where such energy loss might be occurring. By the end of this two-step process we will have an idea of how much work will be needed and provide an estimated cost. Audits are always free.

2. Weatherization

Depending on the results of the initial home energy assessment, Green Iowa members will schedule a follow up weatherization to address problem areas. Members spend anywhere between 2-8 hours reducing air infiltration and making efficiency improvements to the home. Each home is different.
Cost of labor is always free. Cost of materials used to be free only for qualifying households, and provided at-cost for non-qualifying households. During the 2016-2017 service year, a change was made to provide all services absolutely free for everyone!

3. Evaluation & Education

After making the needed adjustments, the team will conduct a post-weatherization blower door test to calculate the effectiveness of the service. If requested, members can also inform the resident on energy and money saving strategies or refer them to their local utility provider for additional information.

Weatherization materials are free to everyone that receives our services. Energy audits are always free. Cost of labor is always free. A typical weatherization will tackle problems such as:

WINDOWS: Permanent solutions such as caulking and sealing around window frame, installing sash locks. Seasonal (temporary) solutions include rope caulking and window kits.
DOORS: Installing weather stripping, door sweeps, caulking.
ATTIC ACCESSES: Insulating attic access door, seal perimeter with foam tape, ensure a tight seal with a latch lock or weight.
OUTLETS: Insulating outlets and light switches with foam gaskets.
RIM JOISTS: Sealing the area where the foundation meets the house frame with friction-fit rigid foam and caulk.
DUCTS: Sealing duct joints with HVAC tape and/or mastic.
WATER PIPE: Insulating hot and cold water pipes with foam sleeves to reduce conductive heat loss.
EFFICIENCY IMPROVEMENTS: Installing Light-Emitting Diodes (LEDs) and low-flow sink & shower aerators.

OUR MISSION

Together, our team focuses on the three C's of weatherization: Cost, Comfort, and Conservation. Whether you're interested in reducing utility costs, creating more comfortable living spaces, or conserving our natural resources, our weatherization services can help! Members of Green Iowa AmeriCorps undergo training and earn Building Analyst Professional certification from the Building Performance Institute (BPI). Armed with this training, our service teams assess a home's efficiency, evaluate problem areas, and seek potential solutions.

Energy Assistance Program: 3 STeps

1. Home Energy Performance Audit

A home energy audit is the first step in assessing how much energy a home consumes and evaluates what measures can be taken to make the home more efficient. Our energy audits consist of two parts: the blower door test and the initial walk-through. The blower door is specialized equipment that allows us to measure the level of air infiltration by surveying the extent of air leaks in the home envelope. As a leading cause of inefficiency in homes, air infiltration can potentially drive up the price of utility bills due to its impact on heating/cooling systems. While the blower door test is running, members will walk-through the home and search for areas where such energy loss might be occurring. By the end of this two-step process we will have an idea of how much work will be needed and provide an estimated cost. Audits are always free.

2. Weatherization

Depending on the results of the initial home energy assessment, Green Iowa members will schedule a follow up weatherization to address problem areas. Members spend anywhere between 2-8 hours reducing air infiltration and making efficiency improvements to the home. Each home is different.
Cost of labor is always free. Cost of materials used to be free only for qualifying households, and provided at-cost for non-qualifying households. During the 2016-2017 service year, a change was made to provide all services absolutely free for everyone!

3. Evaluation & Education

After making the needed adjustments, the team will conduct a post-weatherization blower door test to calculate the effectiveness of the service. If requested, members can also inform the resident on energy and money saving strategies or refer them to their local utility provider for additional information.

Weatherization materials are free to everyone that receives our services. Energy audits are always free. Cost of labor is always free. A typical weatherization will tackle problems such as:

WINDOWS: Permanent solutions such as caulking and sealing around window frame, installing sash locks. Seasonal (temporary) solutions include rope caulking and window kits.
DOORS: Installing weather stripping, door sweeps, caulking.
ATTIC ACCESSES: Insulating attic access door, seal perimeter with foam tape, ensure a tight seal with a latch lock or weight.
OUTLETS: Insulating outlets and light switches with foam gaskets.
RIM JOISTS: Sealing the area where the foundation meets the house frame with friction-fit rigid foam and caulk.
DUCTS: Sealing duct joints with HVAC tape and/or mastic.
WATER PIPE: Insulating hot and cold water pipes with foam sleeves to reduce conductive heat loss.
EFFICIENCY IMPROVEMENTS: Installing Light-Emitting Diodes (LEDs) and low-flow sink & shower aerators.

OUR MISSION

Together, our team focuses on the three C's of weatherization: Cost, Comfort, and Conservation. Whether you're interested in reducing utility costs, creating more comfortable living spaces, or conserving our natural resources, our weatherization services can help! Members of Green Iowa AmeriCorps undergo training and earn Building Analyst Professional certification from the Building Performance Institute (BPI). Armed with this training, our service teams assess a home's efficiency, evaluate problem areas, and seek potential solutions.

GREEN IOWA AMERICORPS

IOWA'S COMMUNITY LEADER IN BOOTS-ON-THE-GROUND

ENERGY & ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES

Organized by the University of Northern Iowa's Center for Energy and Environmental Education

PLEASE SEE OUR COVID-19 PAGE FOR UPDATES

Our MISSION

To empower Iowa's communities and school districts to make more environmental, conservation-minded decisions and improvements by engaging our AmeriCorps members in direct service work, environmental education, professional development opportunities, and volunteer engagement.

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Overview of our history, objectives and our programs.

Sponsors

Who Funds us?

Services

How we are helping the community around us!

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Our Story

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GIA to Help Carry out UNI's Grant Funded Projects

The University of Northern Iowa (UNI) was awarded over $800,000 in grant funding from The Iowa Energy Center for two projects. The purpos...

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