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.

Energy saver kit

Alliant Energy and MidAmerican Energy Company are partnering with Green Iowa AmeriCorps to offer home energy assessments in your area.

However, these services have been suspended due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Until Green Iowa AmeriCorps is safely able to resume services, we would like to offer you a contact-free option to help you save energy with easy to install energy efficient products.

Please complete the form below to provide us with the information needed to customize your energy saver kit. Once you have ordered your energy saver kit, a member of Green Iowa AmeriCorps will contact you to arrange a time to deliver your kit to your doorstep.

WHAT'S IN YOUR KIT, AND WHY?

LED Light Bulbs

Compared to the typical incandescent light bulbs, LED light bulbs use up to 90% less energy, produce the same quality of light and last up to 25 times longer.

Low Flow Faucet Aerators

Low flow faucet aerators reduce the flow of water from the faucet without reducing pressure, saving
both water and energy.

Low Flow Shower Head

Low flow shower heads are designed to reduce the amount of water, without reducing the pressure.

Water Heater Pipe Insulation

Insulating your hot water pipes can reduce heat loss, which decreases the amount of energy needed to continue to heat your pipes.

Furnace Filter Whistle

This mechanism alerts you when you need to replace your furnace filter by producing a whistling noise. When you replace your furnace filter regularly, it increases the air quality within your house, and allows for your HVAC system (heating, ventilation, and air conditioning) to run smoothly.

Outlet/Light Switch Insulators

Outlet and light switch insulators help to reduce drafts from outlets and switches on exterior walls.

Rope Caulk

Rope caulk can be used to fill gaps around windows and doors to prevent air flow.

Expandable Spray Foam

Expandable spray foam can be used to fill larger gaps and cracks in spaces like basement foundations or attics.

See examples below of these materials:

Our step-by-step videos will be coming soon!

Click here for the step-by-step

installation process!