The City of Ames is excited to partner with Green Iowa AmeriCorps to provide no-cost energy audits and weatherization services. This program can help save money on your utility bills and maintain a more comfortable home and is available for all Ames residents.
How it Works
Renting? You are still eligible; we just need your landlord's permission.
AmeriCorps is the federal agency for national service and volunteerism in the United States. It's an opportunity for adults of all ages and backgrounds to serve their communities and their country through a network of partnerships with local and national nonprofit groups. AmeriCorps members address critical needs such as literacy, health, housing, technology, the environment, economic development, and many other fields. It is a chance to apply your skills and energy toward helping others and strengthening the organizations that make a positive difference in Americans’ lives.
Green Iowa AmeriCorps is part of the State/National branch of AmeriCorps. This state-wide community service program operates out of the University of Northern Iowa's Center for Energy and Environmental Education. The program was originally founded in 2009 to address sustainable usage of energy resources in several Iowan communities as they struggled to rebuild from the devastating floods of 2008. Since then, Green Iowa AmeriCorps has been an active community partner and has expanded to many communities across the state.
Green Iowa AmeriCorps vision is to mobilize AmeriCorps members to engage communities in environmental stewardship efforts, neighborhood revitalization projects, and boots-on-the-ground resources for energy efficiency services through Home Energy Audits and Energy Saver Kits.
Members are placed with one of our partnered host sites in communities across Iowa to further the mission work of both Green Iowa AmeriCorps and the host organization. Members help to provide practical solutions to community needs focusing on things like energy efficiency education and home audits, volunteer engagement, environmental stewardship, community de/construction projects, and much more!
Our energy audits consist of two parts: the initial walk through and the blower door test. During the initial walkthrough members will identify areas where air may be leaking in and perform initial safety checks. 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. Air infiltration raises the price of utility bills due to its impact on heating and cooling systems.
While the blower door test is running, members will walk through the home and search for areas where energy loss might be occurring. Depending on the amount of air leakage in your home, Green Iowa AmeriCorps Members can also complete weatherization services to help seal up the air leakages in your home.
For more information about The City's partnership with Green Iowa, email or call us at amesgreeniowa@cityofames.org or 515-239-5155.
Blower door test
Natural gas leak detector
Tabling at an ISU event on campus