 What are Green Blocks?
Green Blocks is a project of the Missoula, Montana Mayor’s Advisory Group on Climate Change and Sustainability. This is a joint project between the town of Missoula and local companies NorthWestern Energy, Mountain Water Company and Allied Waste to demonstrate home energy savings and bring free energy-saving home improvement to residents in seven square blocks of Missoula.
Energy efficiency measures installed as part of the Green Blocks program include weather-stripping, door sweeps, gap sealant, low-flow sink aerators, low-flow showerheadprogrammable thermostats, CFLs, hot water tank insulation wrap, and insulation.
How Did Green Blocks Start?
The Green Blocks project grew from an idea presented in early 2008 to the Mayor’s Advisory group by Missoula resident Gerald Mueller, who has long worked in energy policy. NorthWestern Energy endorsed the idea of a demonstration project to show everyday homeowners the value of simple conservation measures and to better inform the public about conservation incentives that NorthWestern Energy offers to its customers. The firm is committed to managing energy demand.
Last spring, Missoula residents responded to the call for participation by volunteering as Green Blocks captains after the invitation went out through the Community Forum. Captains marshaled participation in their neighborhoods, and seven roughly two-block neighborhoods were chosen for the program.
Accomplishments
As of Fall 2008, the Green Blocks project has provided, free of charge, to Missoula residences:
- Insulation for 42,499 square feet of living space.
- 43 programmable thermostats
- 44 hot-water tank wraps
- 68 low-flow showerheads
- 159 water faucet aerators
- 252 feet of pipe insulation
- 490 compact fluorescent light bulbs.
In addition, project partner Allied Waste conducted trash audits at the homes and advised on reducing waste where needed. City of Missoula urban forester Scott Stringer and Missoula County extension Service horticulturist Helen Atthowe visited block captains’ homes to talk with the neighborhoods about low-impact landscaping and tree health.
Future Actions and Goals
Energy use in Green Blocks homes will be analyzed next spring to measure the effects of the improvements. The hope is that the project can be duplicated in other Montana cities in coming years.
Costs
There is generally no cost to the residence owner, except in cases where major structural work is required.
Contact
Ginny Merriam, Missoula Public Information/Communications Officer: gmerriam@ci.missoula.mt.us
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