In the past few months, the Home Upgrade Hub has undergone a meaningful shift in how we serve residents. With federal rebate programs delayed and funding structures still uncertain, we faced a challenge familiar to many community programs: How do we continue to deliver value while major incentives remain out of reach? Rather than wait for perfect conditions, we chose to pivot. Strengthening our skills, shifting our focus, and finding new ways to support Missoula County households in their energy-saving goals.
A major step in this direction was attending the Building Analyst–Technician (BA-T) training at the Montana Weatherization Training Center, made possible through support from the Montana Department of Environmental Quality. This nationally recognized training deepened our understanding of building science, combustion safety, ventilation standards, pressure diagnostics, and weatherization best practices. It also gave our team hands-on experience with tools like manometers, infrared cameras, and blower doors—equipment essential for delivering high-quality home energy assessments.
Since July, we’ve already begun providing in-home assessments for residents across Missoula County. These visits include evaluating insulation, windows and doors, appliances, HVAC systems, and behavioral patterns that affect energy use. Thanks to our newly expanded training, these assessments will become even more robust this winter.
In the coming months, we will begin incorporating blower door testing with infrared imaging into our site visits. This combination of tools allows us to visualize air leaks, measure the tightness of a home, and identify hidden gaps in insulation—revealing issues that can’t be detected through visual inspection alone. With this information, homeowners can target their efforts where they matter most, whether that’s sealing attic bypasses, improving ductwork, or planning strategic envelope upgrades.
As we continue to build our technical capabilities, our mission remains the same: empower Missoula County residents with the knowledge, tools, and support they need to make their homes more efficient, comfortable, and resilient. Even as funding landscapes shift, we’re committed to growing, adapting, and delivering high-quality service to our community!
