A poorly insulated attic loses as much heat as a window left open all winter. How do you know if you have enough attic insulation? Take a look at your attic floor. If you can see the joists, there's a good chance you need more insulation: your R value may be too low.
Current building practices recommend an R value of R-60 for attics, but many homes were built to a lower standard under older codes. Insulation can also degrade over time, increasing what you pay to heat and cool your home.
Knowing, and addressing, the current R value of your attic insulation can be the first step in lowering your electric bills. It also helps fight climate change, since energy use in buildings is the largest source of emissions in Iowa City.
Take a peek into your attic yourself, or call Green Iowa AmeriCorps at 319-339-5399 to schedule a free energy audit for your home!
Enjoy a guided tour of the species passing through Iowa City this migration season! |
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- Tuesdays 5:30 p.m.
- Sundays 10 a.m.
Find locations, details, and registration online.
In honor of America Recycles Day®, stop by the East Side Recycling Center parking lot to chat with Jane Wilch (Recycling Coordinator) + Jen Jordan (Resource Management Superintendent). Get your recycling questions answered + enjoy a warm beverage or sweet treat on us!
- Saturday, Nov. 19, 8:30 to 10:30 a.m.
- East Side Recycling Center, 2401 Scott Blvd. SE, Iowa City
Shanza Sami
Student at West High
How do you take climate action?
My favorite ways to take climate action are through utilizing the power of science to make a positive impact. I also enjoy using my voice as a platform to amplify others advocating for environmentalism and taking climate action. Over the summer, I developed Pura Aerem, a high-efficacy extension to catalytic converters designed to filter gasses that exit gas-powered vehicles, such as cars. I worked with Dr. Patrick Zimmerman of the 3M Automotive & Aerospace Solutions Division to create my innovation. I hope to reduce carbon emissions significantly with the technology I have developed. Recently, through the 3M Young Scientist Challenge, I was named one of America’s Top 3 Young Scientists. I have used this science platform to leverage my voice and thoughts on climate action to spread awareness.
Why is it important to take climate action?
Climate action is essential -- at the age of nine, I was visiting a heavily polluted area and was later diagnosed and hospitalized with pneumonia. Since then, I was compelled to take action with climate change, the environment, and air pollution. The sheer magnitude of climate change -- impacts on humans, wildlife, and the environment -- has truly inspired me to take the initiative.
What can others do to take climate action?
Take the first step. Be it through developing innovative solutions to combat climate change, using your voice to spread awareness, or even recycling, every action contributes towards creating a more sustainable world.
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