Boulder County Homes Win $10,000 Prizes!!

LaToya Braun of Louisville, and Cara Owen of Longmont, will be two warm homeowners this winter!! 

EnergySmart arrived Monday, October 29th, to award both homes fantastic Home Energy Makeover second-place* prizes-- $10,000 worth of home energy upgrades!! The prizes include a new energy efficient furnace, home air sealing and insulation upgrades, and $1,500 to use toward a recommended energy upgrade of the homeowner’s choice.

 EnergySmart's Beth Beckel writing out a big check!

When she was shopping for her family house, LaToya loved the neighborhood so much that she didn’t realize how inefficient the house was. The original coal-burning furnace was converted to natural gas, and the original windows add charm, but not much warmth. She’s excited to be staying a lot warmer this winter!

 Surprise!!

 The happy Braun family and their contractors and EnergySmart Advisor

The Owens’ master bedroom was scorching in the summer and frigid in the winter. They bought a space heater and didn’t realize until EnergySmart came in that insulation and air sealing could fix the temperature by using less energy instead of more. They want to leave their home in better condition than when they bought it, so someday another family can be happy there.

  "No way!"

Happy homeowners show off their sign.

A HUGE "thank you" goes out to local contractors who largely donate contest prizes:

• Insulation/air sealing: EcoHandyman, ThermalCraft Insulation, EcoSmart Homes, ERC Insulation. 
• Furnace installations: Service Experts, SAC Mechanical 
• Grand Prize package: Solar City

EnergySmart's Home Energy Makeover grand prize and additional 2nd-place prizes were awarded this week as well!


*Each 2nd-place winning home was randomly selected from all Home Energy Makeover entries needing these upgrades.


written by Kate Taft

Low Cost Home and Business Energy Loans

It’s that time of year! Leaves and snowflakes are falling in Boulder County and pumpkin lattes are on every menu. Being warm and comfortable is on everyone’s mind.

Is your home cozy? 

Are you feeling Jack Frost at work? 

Are there improvements you’ve been meaning to make?

NOW IS THE TIME TO GET REBATES! EnergySmart rebates are almost exhausted, but an EnergySmart Advisor can help you find and apply for all available rebates for your upgrades. Rebates may be available from the City of Boulder, City of Longmont, Xcel Energy and more!

In order to make those warm dreams come true, EnergySmart has also partnered with Elevations Credit Union to offer fantastic LOW COST ENERGY LOANS:   

• Fixed rates starting as low as 2.75% APR* for residences; 3.75% APR* for businesses. 

• 36, 60, 84 or 120 month terms.   

• Minimum loan of $500 and a maximum of $25,000 for homes; $1,000 to $150,000** for businesses.

Fantastic video by Elevations Credit Union - just hit play!

Whether it is insulation, air sealing, heating, water heating, windows or solar PV upgrades that you are considering, the Elevations Low Cost Energy Loan is where to start! To date, more than $1,240,000 in low cost loans have been approved by Elevations Credit Union for home and business energy upgrades around Boulder and Denver Counties.

Remember, energy efficiency upgrades in your homes and facilities can reduce energy costs and help bolster your bottom line and holiday time!

* APR = Annual Percentage Rate. Actual APR will be determined when you apply and will be based on your application and credit information. Click here for additional rate information. 
** Business energy loans over $40,000 may be variable rate, are underwritten on a case by case basis and may take longer to process. Business energy loans may exceed $150,000 with prior review.

written by Kate Taft