CEDAR RAPIDS — Kevin Kurkul demonstrates a negative air pressure test on a home in northwest Cedar Rapids.

Kevin Kurkul

A fan, placed in the doorway, helps reveals air leaks in the 1936 house that Kurkul and others on his Green Iowa AmeriCorps crew bustle to repair for homeowner Allan Pike.

“We try to get the house performing as it should,” says Kurkul, 22, who is a long distance from his own home in Andover, Mass.

Green Iowa AmeriCorps has expanded since the service-based non-profit originated in response to the Floods of 2008.

Started in Linn and Black Hawk counties, the 28 statewide members now also serve Dubuque and Winneshiek counties.

Green Iowa Americorps member Michael Lutz installs outlet insulation as he works on winterizing the home of Allan Pike in NW Cedar Rapids on Thursday, December 1, 2011. (Cliff Jette/SourceMedia Group)

Kurkul, who holds degrees in physics and economics, is among the seven members of Green Iowa AmeriCorps based in Cedar Rapids.

“All seven of us have really random backgrounds,” he says. “We all happened here for various reasons.”

All hold a common interest in the environment.

The group’s mission is to assist Iowans in developing a “green” consciousness through home energy audits, environmental education and community outreach.

Alyssa Anderson

Members, who earn a stipend for their 10 months of service, have been involved in tree planting, highway cleanup, solar car modules, developing eco-crafts and educational discussions on recycling and reducing personal energy consumption.

They partner with the Girl and Boy Scouts of America, Habitat for Humanity and other groups.

Alyssa Anderson, 23, of Des Moines, notes that members also have planted community gardens and initiated a successful “Trash Talkers” program that promotes recycling at events such as Freedom Festival and the Downtown Farmers Market.

“We have our hands in anything green,” she says.

Home energy audits are foremost among their tasks. The audits are free through a grant, but many homeowners donate to pay for the cost of the weatherization materials.

Green Iowa Americorps education coordinator Natalie Pappanduros secures a cover over an opening in the wall as she works on winterizing the home of Allan Pike in NW Cedar Rapids on Thursday, December 1, 2011. (Cliff Jette/SourceMedia Group)

All of the members are certified as building analysts by the Building Performance Institute.

Natalie Pappanduros, 22, of Bloomingdale, Ill., caulks a window before consulting with Kurkul on the best way to handle a crawl space draft.

Not only do the members correct problems in homes, they also teach the homeowners how to make their homes more energy efficient.

“We like educating as much as we can,” Pappanduros says, ”so they can do it, too.”

FYI

 — Green Iowa AmeriCorps will offer a weatherization workshop with Matthew 25 from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Sat., Dec. 10 at Groundswell, 225 K Ave. NW. Homeowners will learn how to stop air leaks and drafts and reduce energy consumption. Cost is $10 for Matthew 25 tool library members and $15 for non-members to cover the cost of weatherization kits. To register, call: 319-491-4466 or email tools@hub25.org

 — Members also will sell recycled crafts and baked goods during a fundraiser from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Sat., Dec. 10, at the Grant Wood Holiday Gift Market, 1930 Lakeside Drive, Iowa City.

 — For more information or to sign up for a home energy audit, send an email to: greeniowacr@gmail.com or call 319-297-3581.