The savings don’t have to end when you leave home—you can save on the road too!

EnergySmart has recently teamed up with eGo CarShare to offer great discounts between our two organizations!

eGo CarShare is a non-profit car sharing organization in the Boulder-Denver community which provides alternatives to individual car ownership. Car sharing is a great model that lets you bike, walk, or take public transit for most things, but still have access to a car if you need one. You could also use car sharing as an opportunity to downsize from two cars to one (or even none!)—a great money and stress saver! The eGo fleet vehicles have car sharing parking spots all over Boulder and Denver, so you don’t have to get stressed over parking. Because eGo is a pay-as-you-drive car sharing program, gas and insurance are included in the rates. The eGo fleet has fuel efficient options as well as a few trucks for the occasional large-haul if you happen to catch the home improvement bug.

More than 2800+ people have already signed up for eGo membership. And now, eGo is offering great discounts to all current and new EnergySmart participants, including $15 in FREE RIDE credits and a $15 application fee (normally $25)! Get started at CarShare.org. As an EnergySmart participant, use promo code “ES-2013”.

We think that striving to become smart with transportation goes hand-in-hand with becoming EnergySmart in your home or business, so EnergySmart is offering current and new eGo members $10 off a HOME energy assessment (Regularly $135). If you haven’t signed up already, get on board with the more than 10,700 residents in all Boulder County already on the road to personalized, expert advice from our Energy Advisors. Call 303.544.1000 today to get started. If you’re an eGo member, call 303.720.1185 for a discount coupon code!

written by Kelsey Lawrence

Upgrade Update - Reichert Family Grand Prize

For those of you following all things EnergySmart, you will remember the Grand Prize winners of the Home Energy Makeover, the Reichert family.

Disbelief and excitement when the EnergySmart Home Energy Makeover Surprise Prize Patrol arrived.

John recently updated EnergySmart on the progress of their upgrades and had some great news!

What upgrades have you had completed so far?

• The tankless water heater has been installed
• The 96.7% efficient furnace has been installed 

Out comes the old water heater...

...in goes the new!

Thank you, Kahar Plumbing & Heating, Inc.!

What is still ahead for you?

• Mid February, the following work is scheduled for completion:
• Insulation in both attics to an R48 or R36 value (can’t remember)
• Insulation of the knee wall between attics
• Blown in insulation in the walls on main level
• Blown in insulation in the ceiling of the garage
• Blown in insulation in the over hang outside below master bedroom
• Insulation of the rim joists in basement
• Installation of electrical outlet for the tankless water heater (currently using an extension cord)
• Installation of the evaporative cooler

Are you seeing changes to the comfort of your home?

With our old furnace, we set the thermostat to 69-70 degrees for heat and it seemed to run constantly.  Also, my sons room was always cold.  With the new unit, we keep the thermostat at 66 at night, and 67 during the day – any warmer and it is too hot!  Also, it doesn't run nearly as much, and can really put out the heat when needed!  My son stays nice and warm now.

The tankless water heater has an unexpected challenge that came along with it – the challenge of discipline!  It creates unlimited hot water, so if you really wanted to, you could take a really nice, warm and long shower, or soak in the tub. 

I just want to thank everyone again – we are extremely fortunate and very grateful for everything. I have spread the word about Energy Smart to everyone I know, and will continue to do so. Thanks again!

Warm homes and showers make it all worth it!
Get EnergySmart Now!
303-544-1000

written by Kate Taft

Reicherts Receive Grand Prize of $20,000!!

There is one happy family in Boulder! Kathleen, John and James Reichert will be enjoying the comforts of home this winter after receiving $20,000 worth of home energy upgrades!

 EnergySmart Home Energy Makeover emotions in Boulder

The Home Energy Makeover grand prize, valued at approximately $20,000, includes a new energy efficient furnace, air sealing and insulation upgrades to the attic and crawlspace/basement, an energy efficient water heater, cooling system upgrades, and $4,000 to use for recommended energy upgrades of the Reicherts' choosing.

The Reichert family made it through three rounds of selection to win the grand prize. In round one, their home was identified as one of the top fifteen poorest performing homes having received an EnergySmart assessment. 

In round two, the Reicherts submitted a short essay explaining why they needed a Home Energy Makeover, which was selected as one of three finalists by a panel of local energy expert judges. 

In round three, the three finalists were interviewed and the Reicherts were chosen as the best fit for the award.

Contest prizes were largely donated by local contractors: 

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

Earlier, the Birkholz, Braun, Owen, and Wyss families won equal second place prizes, including 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. 


written by Kate Taft

More $10,000 Second Prize Winners!

In addition to the Braun and Owen families in our last blog:

Wendy Wyss of Unincorporated Boulder County, and Katie and Matt Birkholz of Boulder, are celebrating their $10,000 worth of home energy upgrades!

The Wyss and Birkholz families will each be enjoying the warmth and comfort of a new energy efficient furnace, home air sealing and insulation upgrades, and a remaining $1,500 home energy upgrade of their choice!

 

 Bringin' the winnin's 

 

The Wyss family wanted to invest in long-term value, and put solar panels on their home shortly after moving in. When they got an energy assessment from EnergySmart, they were surprised at how leaky the house was, especially around the kitchen can lights. They’re looking forward to tightening up the house and reducing their wasted energy.

The $10,000 surprise look!

"Team Wyss Home Energy Makeover!"

The Birkholz family recently moved into their home to be close to the kids’ school. They bike every day and try to be sustainable, but their home is pretty leaky and uses an old heating system. They’re looking forward to being more environmentally friendly and much cozier after these new upgrades.

Big check disbelief?

The Birkholz family and contractors.

This is why EnergySmart does what they do; happy healthy families make it all worth it!
 
A big thank you to the local contractors, again, as contest prizes were largely their donations:

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

Check out our other other 2nd prize and grand prize winners!



written by Kate Taft

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

Colorado Green Building Guild

CGBG

The Colorado Green Building Guild, (recently known as the Boulder Green Building Guild) is a non-profit trade organization representing a wide range of green building leaders. This organization has an incredible list of resources for business owners, homeowners, building professionals and anyone interested in the subject. They are well known for their workshops and helpful newsletters. Whether you are looking for a job, looking for a contractor, looking for information, or looking to volunteer, those resources are very accessible to you through their website. CGBG is also responsible for Footprint Radio, a radio talk show focusing on green building, conscious living, and shaping sustainable futures. This airs on KGNU 88.5 FM on the third Thursday of every other month at 8:35 am! Or catch up on their latest topics in the “At Home” section of the Daily Camera every Thursday.


written by Roxanna Shohadaee

Community Partners

Highlighting and Connecting with our partners in the community

EnergySmart is a collaborative effort across Boulder County. Boulder County is a thriving community working together for a better future. In the Community Partners category, we will highlight some of the organizations, groups, and people doing great sustainability-related work here in Boulder County (and surrounding area). We will announce new and exciting projects they may have coming up, and highlight exciting events  - some hosted by EnergySmart, and others happening in the community. Please contact us if there is something going on in the community that you think would be good to highlight!


written by Roxanna Shohadaee