Energy & Community | Services

ENERGY ASSISTANCE PROGRAM

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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THREE STEPS (and it's all free):

#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.

WHAT TO EXPECT

Weatherization materials are free to all households. Households that fit our target demographics include: low-income, LIHEAP recipients, military veterans, senior citizens (65+), disabled persons. Energy audits are always free. Cost of labor is always free.

After the initial pre-test audit, our crew leader will provide a material cost estimate.

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 – Install weather stripping, door sweeps, caulking.

Attic accesses – Insulate attic access door, seal perimeter with foam tape, ensure a tight seal with a latch lock or weight.

Outlets – Insulate outlets and light switches with foam gaskets.

Rim joists – Seal the area where the foundation meets the house frame with friction-fit rigid foam and caulk.

Ducts – Seal duct joints with HVAC tape and/or mastic. 

Water pipe – Insulate hot and cold water pipes with foam sleeves to reduce conductive heat loss.

Efficiency improvements – Install Light Emitting Diodes (LEDs) and low-flow sink & shower aerators.

Still have questions? Check out the FAQs.

 

Outreach and Education Services

We visit schools, community groups, conferences, or any other organized event!

Educational themes and workshop activities include:

Education

  • Hands-on home weatherization training
  • Identify energy waste
  • Energy and water conservation
  • Recycling and waste reduction
  • Weatherization basics training program
  • Appliances, Energy Star, and rebates
  • Design a custom presentation

Activities

  • Energy board games & trivia
  • Home energy use calculator
  • Ecological footprint calculator
  • Kill A Watt meters
  • Solar cars
  • Rain garden installation
  • Community garden creation
  • Repurposing craft activities
  • Tree planting

All of our sites offer a variety of educational activities. Be sure to talk to them about their specialties and the particular services they offer.

Contact your local Green Iowa AmeriCorps site to schedule an educational event or outreach activity!

 

 

  • Ashley Coffin
    Ashley Coffin
    Green Iowa AmeriCorps Program Director

    Ashley is program director of the CEEE's flagship AmeriCorps program, Green Iowa AmeriCorps. The program operates in 20+ locations throughout the state and provides Iowans with the tools to become more energy efficient and environmentally conscious.

    AT THE CEEE: Green Iowa AmeriCorps
    ON FACEBOOK: Energy & Community / Sustainable Schools / Land & Water Stewards
    ON INSTAGRAM: Energy & Community / Sustainable Schools / Land & Water Stewards

    ashley.coffin@uni.edu / (319) 273-7273
  • Carmen Finken
    Carmen Finken
    Green Iowa AmeriCorps Program Manager

    Carmen oversees the Sustainable Schools branch of Green Iowa AmeriCorps and helps to recruit new members and host sites to the Green Iowa AmeriCorps program.

    AT THE CEEE: Green Iowa AmeriCorps
    ON FACEBOOK: Sustainable Schools
    ON INSTAGRAM: Sustainable Schools

    finkenc@uni.edu / (319) 273-7194
  • Leah Baethke
    Leah Baethke
    Green Iowa AmeriCorps Program Manager

    Leah oversees the Land & Water Stewards branch of Green Iowa AmeriCorps and helps to recruit new members and host sites to the Green Iowa AmeriCorps program.

    leah.baethke@uni.edu / (319) 273-7194
  • Shawn Fluckey E&C PM
    Shawn Fluckey
    Green Iowa AmeriCorps Program Manager

    Shawn oversees the Energy & Community branch of Green Iowa AmeriCorps and helps to recruit new members and host sites to the Green Iowa AmeriCorps program.

    shawn.fluckey@uni.edu / (319) 273-7273
  • Brandy Case Haub Member Support
    Brandy Case Haub
    Green Iowa AmeriCorps Member Support Coordinator

    Brandy serves as the Member Support Coordinator for Green Iowa AmeriCorps, ensuring that our National Service members are engaged in a successful and meaningful service term.

  • Laura Mast
    Laura Mast
    Recruitment Specialist

    Laura is the Recruitment Specialist for Green Iowa AmeriCorps. She helps recruit new AmeriCorps members and works collaboratively with the Green Iowa AmeriCorps host agencies.

CEEE In Action
Engaging students in the community