Aug/Sep 2013
| Business World Magazine | 93
nership with NorthWestern Energy which
helped provide for professional energy au-
dits on residences in two-block increments
throughout Missoula. After the audits were
completed, NorthWestern Energy assisted
homeowners by providing energy-saving
items that included weather-stripping for ex-
terior doors, foamsealants for gaps, program-
mable thermostats, insulation for hot water
heaters and low-flow water savers – and in
many cases, attic, wall and basement insula-
tion too. In the pilot phase of the program,
Green Blocks’ homes earned an average of
$1,500 in energy efficiency upgrades just
for participating. In terms of water conser-
vation, a partnership with Mountain Water
Company accommodated water-wise audits
for participants, which, in turn, led to the
installation of water-saving resources when-
ever such was deemed prudent. The Green
Blocks Conservation Side Orders program
expanded on this campaign to provide both
education and resources to help homeown-
ers further realize practices that prompt in-
creased energy efficiency. In this case, “Side
Orders” allowed for a menu of options, pair-
ing homeowners with the appropriate local
businesses or non-profit agency that special-
ized in the required aspect of energy con-
servation and sustainability. “We thought
it would be wise to invest some money in
helping people save money,” explains Mayor
