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.

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Green Iowa TODAY

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ASHLEY CRAFT, Program Director

319-273-7273

Energy & Community

Sustainable Schools

Land & Water Stewards

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Cedar rapids

Cedar falls

waterloo

Iowa City

Des Moines

Okoboji

Decorah

Ames

Oskaloosa

VINTON

dubuque

Calmar

Energy and Community

Cedar Falls

319-273-7233

Center for Energy & Environmental Education

Cedar Rapids

319-362-2214 (ext:6)

Decorah

563-382-4207

Winneshiek Energy District

Des Moines

515-471-8686 (ext. 104)

Habitat for Humanity

Dubuque

Opening for the 2020-2021 program year!

Dubuque Energy District

Iowa City

319-339-5399

Iowa City Parks & Recreation

Sustainable Schools

Carmen Finken, Program Manager

319-273-7194

Bondurant-Farrar Community School District

Clear Creek Amana Community School District

Opening for the 2020-2021 program year!

Northeast Iowa Community College

Black Hawk County Solid Waste

Management Commission

Serving Waterloo Community School District

Opening for the 2020-2021 program year!

Van Meter Comunity

School District

Cedar Falls Community

School District

Iowa City Community

School District

Dubuque Metropolitan Area

Solid Waste Agency

Serving both Dubuque CSD and Holy Family Catholic Schools

Land & Water Stewards

Lauren Johnson, Program manager

319-273-7599

Center for Energy &

Environmental Education

Tallgrass Prairie Center

Practical Farmers of Iowa

Lakeside Lab

Waverly-Shell Rock CSD

William Penn University

Trees Forever

Opening for 2020-2021 program year in both

Cedar Rapids and Des Moines locations!