City of Missoula | 13 nership with NorthWestern Energy which helped provide for professional energy audits 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 exterior doors, foamsealants for gaps, programmable thermostats, insulation for hot water heaters and low-flow water savers – and in many cases, attic, wall and basement insulation 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 conservation, a partnership with Mountain Water Company accommodated water-wise audits for participants, which, in turn, led to the installation of water-saving resources whenever such was deemed prudent. The Green Blocks Conservation Side Orders program expanded on this campaign to provide both education and resources to help homeowners further realize practices that prompt increased energy efficiency. In this case, “Side Orders” allowed for a menu of options, pairing homeowners with the appropriate local businesses or non-profit agency that specialized in the required aspect of energy conservation and sustainability. “We thought it would be wise to invest some money in helping people save money,” explains Mayor
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