Comparison of Three Household Bulbs

There have been a lot of discussions lately about the different types of light bulbs available to American consumers. These discussions usually focus on the energy savings associated with Compact Fluorescent (CFLs) and Light Emitting Diode (LEDs). But, do they really save you money in the long run as compared to (Incandescent) IBs?

Using the standard of a typical 60 watt IB light bulb in a typical home to make a comparison to the actual cost of each type of bulb over the life of the bulb, we can see how they stack up. Assume that the advertised life span of any one bulb is as advertised  understanding that there is always variability when comparing several bulbs of the same type. The total cost is strictly from a consumer’s point of view. Assume that the costs of manufacturing or transportation is essentially the same for all three.

So, looking at the three types, let’s compare:

Bulb type	Energy Used (watts)	Lumens	Life Span Hours	Cost per Bulb
IB	60	860	1,000	$0.25
CFL	14	800	10,000	$1.50
LED	12.5	800	200,000	$25.00

This data is collected from a popular home improvement store using popular bulbs of each type. Looking at the data, you can see that an LED lasting 200,000 hours will cost about $288 to operate based on 11.5 cents/kWh. You add the cost of the bulb and you come up with a total cost of $313 for the life of that bulb. Now, 200,000 hours is almost 23 years of continuous time, and there is a good chance that you will not burn that bulb continuously for 23 years. So, if you even estimate that you will have this light on for only 5 hours per day, then that bulb should last you a little over 109 years.

To make a fair comparison, you have to use 20 CFLs to equal the life span of an LED. For the CFL, 20 CFLs at 10,000 hours each will cost $322 to operate; and if you add in the cost of the 20 bulbs, about $30, then your total cost is $352.

You will need 200 IBs to make it to 200,000 hours and the total cost of operation for those 200 bulbs is about $1,380. You add in the $50 cost of those bulbs and the total cost of IBs is $1,430. Looking at this in a little broader way, we get this information:

	Hrs of life	# Bulbs for 200,000 hr	Watts/bulb	Total Watt	Watt/KW	KWhr	$/KWhr
LED	200,000	1	12.5	2,500,000	1,000	2,500	0.115
CFL	10,000	20	14	2,800,000	1,000	2,800	0.115
IB	1,000	200	60	12,000,000	1,000	12,000	0.115

	Total Elect Cost	Bulb $	Total $ for 200,000hrs	$/year (5hr/day)	3 bedroom house ~ 40 bulbs - $/yr
LED	$288	$25.00	$312.50	$2.85	$114.14
CFL	$322	$1.50	$352.00	$3.21	$128.57
IB	$1,380	$.25	$1,430.00	$12.59	$503.60

Here one can see that a typical three bedroom home with approximately 40 bulbs on for five hours a day, will have a significant savings over a year with LED or CFL bulbs.

Therefore, in the long run, it looks like the LED is the best deal you can get, followed closely by the CFL. However, there are many other considerations that you need to mak,e such as your intended use of the bulb and how long you will need that particular use. The combinations of those two are endless and there is where lighting selection can sometimes be difficult. And, I have obviously ignored costs of installation and disposal.

For example, since CFLs and LEDs put out little to no heat, you would not want to have one in your livestock incubator (to warm chicks or eggs). Sometimes you want the heat supplied by the IB light. If you were providing a light for a device or building that is not long lived, you might want to shy away from the added cost of the CFL and LED. If heat prevention is important to you, then the CFL or LED would be a good choice. Also, sometimes in small town stores, you will not find a large selection of bulbs to choose from, and the local store owner may not even stock some of the more efficient LEDs and CFLs; sticking primarily to the historically popular IBs.

What can make an LED or CFL really handy is the fact that you can usually increase the amount of lighting in your home without increasing energy usage as compared to IB lights. The only caution is that, at least with the CFL bulbs, some of these in larger sizes may not fit in typical lighting fixtures in your home, especially if the lighting chamber is enclosed or confined.

About the Author

Charles W. Thompson is the SW Colorado Area Director for U.S. Department of Agriculture - Rural Development in Lewis, Colorado. Charles wrote this article with his brother Francis L. Thompson, who designs and builds commercial and military satellites and helped developed satellite TV. Upon seeing the article in the 4CORE November newsletter on lighting, Charles submitted this article as food for our reader's thoughts.

Leaps of Faith Lead to Oxbow: The Energy Efficiency Path

My father’s mantra while I was growing up in the sixties in rural Northwestern Colorado was, “When not in use, turn off the juice” a phrase espoused by Lyndon B. Johnson, our country’s 36th President. This directive from my father’s vast well of wisdom influenced my consumption habits early on. Unlike Tom Bodett, I rarely leave the light on, even if they are CFLs.

My mother, a great depression era “waste not, want not” child also taught me and my four siblings the value of frugality long before repurposing was trendy. This explains my obsession with reusing containers and an assortment of plastic bags and twisty ties.

Nearly four years ago I experienced an irresistible pull to return to Durango after departing in 1998. My family and I lived in Durango between 1995 and 1998 and then returned back home to Grand County. Eleven years later with our children grown, our parents passed on, no future generations pulling on our pant legs (yet), and our country alive with hope and change and opportunities of the new energy economy, I became restless.

In the spring of 2009, I began reacquainting myself with the Durango area to quell my yearning to return. I don’t recall exactly what led me to the Three Springs website. When I read, “The entire project is being built according to a master sustainability plan, which includes green building practices, neighborhood interaction and education, intelligent land stewardship and more…”  my return journey commenced.

Three Springs Homes

In June of 2009 I moved away from my husband (sorry honey), our home, our successful business and landed at Three Springs in one of the newly sprouted two bedroom affordable housing apartments. Watching the ink dry on my new one year lease I contemplated the conundrums of mid-life crisis! I had no job prospects and had left my friends, family, and everything familiar. Oddly I felt emboldened, optimistic and so happy to be at “home.”

The economy was on the brink of recession when I arrived and building had all but ceased at Three Springs with many homes on the market. I spent many hours walking through the development, touring the homes, and broadly educating myself on energy efficiency building practices. Believe me, I’m no building scientist. The thought of understanding how a building “performed” had never entered my mind. My criteria included comfort and to not pay an arm and a leg for utility bills. My focus was on finishes and furnishings rather than thermal boundaries and air quality standards.

In August I applied for a position with a local nonprofit, 4CORE, the Four Corners Office for Resource Efficiency. 4CORE was the recipient of American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) funds and had begun implementing a long-standing weatherization program to assist low income residents in need of improving the comfort of their homes and lowering their utility bills. I have dedicated the past 15 years to working in the nonprofit sector and immediately was drawn to 4CORE’s mission “to advance resource efficiency.”

So here I was, in the area I loved so much, roof over my head, meaningful work, and surrounded by building “geeks.” Daily talk of GHG  (greenhouse gas) emissions, building envelopes, stack effect and plenty of plenums swirled around me while I kept my nose down doing my best at managing the multiple funding streams that allows 4CORE to serve the community.

A year passed, my lease was up and I moved again, this time to Rivergate, to be closer to work and find solace on the Animas River Trail where I had found my soul back in 1995. Another year passed and my husband took his own leap of faith and joined me here. My one bedroom loft apartment (highly inefficient I’m sorry to say) worked just great for me and my cat. Adding my husband and his cat became a little cozier than we cared for so we put our home in Granby on the market (what there was of one) and tuned in to the universal channel to watch the story unfold.

The renters in our Granby home decided to buy it and we were thrilled, even though we pretty much just broke even. We consider ourselves lucky and are happy to have given a young family an opportunity to own their first home. We trust that they are creating as many happy memories there as we did.

Last summer we found ourselves experiencing the giddiness of mortgage emancipation while watching rates drop to an all time low. While renting these last three years has brought a certain kind of freedom, we found that we were missing being able to putter around our own home and we began searching for our new dwelling. Initially we searched the inventory of existing homes within a seven to ten mile radius of Durango. Quite a few small homes tugged at our nostalgic heart strings but premonitions of a “Retrofit Reality” show and “Accelerated Aging” infomercials quickly shifted our focus to the new home market.

We are very fortunate to have all of the qualifications for a new loan and be able to partake of the incredibly low mortgage rates although we are reticent to embark on a new 30-year mortgage at this age and stage of life. Keeping our sights in the $350,000 range and unwilling to settle for inefficiency we found ourselves full circle at Three Springs where new ENERGY STAR Version 3  homes are bursting onto the market.

Poking around a freshly framed home one afternoon we met one of the Three Springs Energy Star Builders, Jaaron Mankins owner of SilverPick Contracting. We immediately appreciated his energetic, confident manner and scheduled our initial meeting to discuss the possibilities of building with his company.

We found some plans online with a layout we liked, selected a lot, and began the design process for the house. Jaaron is a skilled builder and spent numerous hours with us detailing the design of the home. We were reaching for the stars or HERS (Home Energy Rating Score) and it was soon revealed to us that the home as designed had breached our budget. As my husband so eloquently stated, “our dream home turned out to be just that, a dream.” By this time we had moved from Rivergate and rented a townhome on Clear Spring Avenue directly across from the lot we had planned to build our home on. Essentially, we had selected a larger lot and a more complicated roof line which put the home out of our reach. We sheepishly thanked Jaaron for all of his hard work and patience with our process and took some time to regroup.

One beautiful fall morning I once again found myself traipsing through the neighborhood contemplating our housing future. Tierra Custom Homes, the premier builder at Three Springs, was in the process of completing a new home. In fact, the energy auditor, Mike Frisoni owner of Annadel Building Solutions, drove up to the home just as I was peeking through the windows. He was there to complete the final energy audit on the home and produce the HERS score. My husband and I have always strived to own fuel efficient cars so it makes sense for us to have a fuel efficient home. Knowing the HERS score is one method of knowing how efficient a home is.

While chatting with Mike, the Tierra Project Manager Brent Brown arrived and graciously toured me through the home. Casually he mentioned that Tierra was also just starting two additional homes across the way on Oxbow Circle. Oxbow Circle was where our “dream” home had been planned and these two new homes were being built just a couple of blocks away.

Our new home!

At our next opportunity my husband and I checked out the offerings on Oxbow Circle; the foundations were already in and a rendering of the homes were available to view. We settled on the curing concrete pad and took in our surroundings – a pinion studded hillside to the west with one elderly pinion snag standing sentry and to the east a small pocket park with newly planted deciduous trees. This was different than we had envisioned and yet it felt so perfect.

September 28th we were under contract and jumped on board the well-oiled Tierra train. Having built our Granby home we had a bit of experience under our belts as well as some lingering PTSD. Early engagement with the Tierra team assuaged our anxieties. Every crew member of each trade that has been involved with our home has exhibited the highest level of professionalism, courtesy, respect, knowledge, creativity, and receptivity, with a decent dose of good humor to boot. My husband and I put a lot of ourselves into whatever we do by choice and while the process itself is all encompassing, time consuming, and at times exhausting, it has also been quite fun and very exciting. With each daily visit to our in-progress home it feels more solid and quiet. I’m proud to report that I’ve even been in the “cleaner than you can believe” crawl space. (So far during my tenure at 4CORE I have successfully evaded the Tyvek coveralls  fashion experience.)

In three weeks time from the date that I write this we will be the proud new owners of an Energy Star 3 home putting down our new roots. Three and a half short years ago if you would’ve told me this is where the path would lead I would not have believed you.

One definition of Oxbow is “enabling a team to pull together.”  My husband and I would like to thank everyone who pulled together in the building of our new home, those we’ve been lucky enough to meet in person and those passing through.

Additionally, we would like to thank our 4CORE family which has supported and continues to support us all along the way. Nothing beats having a passel of building scientists in your back pocket while building an energy efficient home!

Our soon to be new home will be one of the featured homes in 4CORE’s Holiday Home Spotlight Tour  scheduled for Thursday, December 6th, from 5:00 to 7:30 pm. For information and a map please click the link above. A SilverPick Contracting home will also be featured. Good fun, good friends, holiday cheer – we would be honored if you would join us. I’ll even leave the light on.

About the Author 

Bonnie Rozean is the Finance Manager for 4CORE. She is excited to be living in Durango for the second time around after a 12 year hiatus. She is honored to be part of the dedicated team at 4CORE helping to manage the financial side of the operation. She is a Colorado native growing up on Lake Granby, near Rocky Mountain National Park and the Continental Divide. To clear the number crunching cobwebs, Bonnie can be found hiking, snowshoeing, cruiser biking on the river trail, or simply dipping her toes in the Animas where she found her soul in 1995. Bonnie and her husband Jeff live with their two cats in Durango.

Come and Party with 4CORE- We'll Light up your Holidays!

Save the date, because we have big plans for our holiday party this year:

On December 6th, from 5-7:30 PM we'll be highlighting two ENERGY STAR Certified homes at Three Springs.

Why should you attend? Here is our top 5:


#5: Safe transportation- Free ride leaving to and from the Durango Transit Center.
#4: Free food from Digs Restaurant (yum!).
#3: We promise to spike the eggnog, but discourage wearing any lampshades.
#2: Your chance to enter a drawing for a FREE home energy assessment from Annadel Building Solutions!
#1: Great information about ENERGY STAR-certified home efficiencies.

ENERGY STAR homes are special- they leave you with peace of mind that your utility bills will be low and you will be saving energy. That is good on a variety of levels- your pocket book, the environment (less pollution from energy sources), and our local economy- keeping money that would have gone to far away energy producers here!

ENERGY STAR Home Features:

• Air Sealing ENERGY STAR: certified homes deliver approximately 20% savings on annual utility bills through proper air sealing, saving thousands of dollars in maintenance cost.
• Properly Installed Insulation: It’s not just the amount of insulation; it’s the quality of installation that makes all the difference. Proper installation includes careful placement to eliminate gaps, voids, and compression; complete air barriers that prevent air from bypassing the insulation; and building techniques that minimize heat flow through framing. 
• High–Performance Windows: Protective coatings and improved frames help keep heat in during winter and out during summer. 
• Efficient Heating and Cooling Equipment: High efficiency equipment delivers premium performance. This equipment uses less energy, operates at reduced noise levels, and often comes with extended warranty coverage.
• HVAC Design and Installation: Trained HVAC professionals design and install the heating and cooling systems in ENERGY STAR certified homes in accordance with best practices.
• Whole–House Mechanical Ventilation: The living space in ENERGY STAR certified homes has a constant source of filtered air to reduce indoor air pollutants in your home.
• Water–Managed Construction Details: Tried–and–true building practices, such as flashing, moisture barriers, and heavy–duty membranes, are employed to effectively drain water from the roofs, walls, and foundations of ENERGY STAR certified homes.
• Building Material: Proper storage and selection of materials helps prevent water– and mold–damaged materials in ENERGY STAR certified homes.
• Advanced Lighting: ENERGY STAR qualified fixtures and bulbs come in many shapes and sizes. ENERGY STAR lighting offers significant cost savings and longer lifetimes than standard products.
• ENERGY STAR Qualified Appliances: A comprehensive package of ENERGY STAR qualified appliances can reduce energy costs, while offering improved performance, quality, and durability. ENERGY STAR certified homes often include ENERGY STAR qualified dishwashers, refrigerators, washing machines, ceiling fans, and ventilation fans.
• Climate-Specific Recommendations: Home Energy Raters are trained in local climate-specific energy saving techniques, and their knowledge and field experience help ENERGY STAR builder partners select the most appropriate energy-efficient features.
• Field Verification: Raters conduct onsite inspections and testing of ENERGY STAR certified homes to ensure they meet rigorous program guidelines. 
• Quality Assurance: Homes that earn the ENERGY STAR typically undergo significantly more systems engineering, inspections, and testing than homes built to code. This verification process helps to identify and correct mistakes before they become problems and holds builders accountable to higher standards.

Find more information on ENERGY STAR Homes

Are you feeling warm and cozy yet? If not, you'll have to visit one of these homes!

Find more information about the event here. We can't wait to wish you happy holidays in person!


Sponsored by: Three Springs, Bank of Colorado, Digs Restaurant, San Juan Drywall and Insulation, San Juan Trim Works, and SilverPick Contracting.

What's In Your Attic?

Winter is on its way and, with it, so come the frigid temperatures. Do you know what’s in your attic?…or walls?…or floor? Hopefully the answer is insulation. In the United States, heating and cooling account for 50 to 70% of all energy used in the home. A lot of that energy is being wasted because of inefficient building practices. Ensuring proper insulation in your home can make you more comfortable, save money and reduce the burden our limited energy resources. Here are a few things that you should know about insulation.

How Insulation works

Heat naturally travels from warm to cold space through conduction, convection and radiation. In winter, heat moves from our living spaces to wherever it is colder, typically outdoors. This lost heat must be replaced by a heating system to maintain comfort. In the summer, heat moves from outdoors in and must then be removed by an air conditioner. Insulating decreases the heating and cooling that is needed by providing an effective resistance to the natural flow of heat. This thermal resistance is known as the R-value. The R-values vary widely depending on the type of material, its thickness and density. The higher the R-value, the more effective the insulation.

Types of Insulation

Blanket or Batt insulation is traditionally made of mineral fibers or rock wool, but are now available in cotton, sheep’s wool and hemp. They are available in a variety of widths and are available with or without vapor retardant facing. Because of its availability and ease of installation, blanket insulation is a great choice for the homeowner.

Loose Fill insulation is typically made from cellulose (recycled paper), fiberglass or rock wool. These loose fibers are blown into walls and attics using pneumatic equipment, usually by professionals. Loose fill can be packed in to existing walls and irregularly shapes areas, making it an excellent option for retrofits on older homes.

Foam insulation is sprayed in liquid form using special equipment by professionals. This insulation comes in open or closed cell varieties. Open cell foam allows water vapor to pass through, but has a lower R-value. Closed cell foam is a better choice when space is limited.

Rigid insulation is made from plastic foams and is molded into board forms. Rigid foam is often used on foundation walls.

Insulation Fun Facts

• Insulation reduces average home heating and cooling costs by around 20%. [1]
• Insulation currently in place in U.S. buildings reduces the amount of carbon dioxide by 780 million tons each year. [2] This is the equivalent to the electricity use of over 90 million homes for one year [3] 
• For every Brittish Thermal Unit (Btu) consumed in the production of insulation, 12 Btus are saved each year by the use of insulation. [4]
• All insulation products installed in U.S. buildings save consumers about 12 quadrillion Btus annually, or about 42% of the energy that would have been consumed with no insulation in place. [5]
• This is the equivalent of 40 million Btus or 7 barrels of oil per person per year. [6] This is the equivalent of 28 barrels of oil saved by each U.S. family of four per year. 
• Energy efficiency through insulation is the simplest and most cost effective way to reduce energy use and greenhouse gas emissions.  [7]

---

[1]  “Insulating Your Home: Save Energy and Money,” Better Homes and Gardens (Better Homes and Gardens Home Information System, 1995), p.1

[2]  Green and Competitive: The Energy, Environmental and Economic Benefits of Fiber Glass and Mineral Wool Insulation Products. Energy Conservation Management, Inc; The Alliance to Save Energy; Barakat & Chamberlin, Inc., June 1996.

[3] EPA Greenhouse Gas Equivalencies Calculator – www.epagov/cleanenergy/energy-resources/calculator.html

[4] Green and Competitive Report: Energy Conservation Management, June 1996

[5]  Green and Competitive Report: Energy Conservation Management, June 1996

[6] EPA Greenhouse Gas Equivalencies Calculator – www.epagov/cleanenergy/energy-resources/calculator.html

[7] A Cost Curve for Green House Gas Reduction, The McKinsey Quarterly 2007, Number 1.

About the Author
Tim DeLuca is Weatherization Inspector for 4CORE, is native of the planet earth and has been living in Colorado on and off since 1995. After studying Business at the University of Cincinnati, he moved to Fort Collins, were he studied Fine Arts and Design at Colorado State University. He then began to pursue his love and fascination with carpentry, construction, design, engineering, and energy efficient building techniques. Most recently, Tim was the Crew Leader for a group of Weatherization Installation Technicians through an apprentice program offered in partnership with Americorps, the Southwest Conservation Corps and 4CORE. After one successful year, he was hired on as an Inspector at 4CORE. In his spare time, Tim enjoys spending lots of time with his family, preferably outdoors.

Senator Bennet Announces 4CORE's USDA Grant

Colorado U.S. Senator Michael Bennet today announced that the Four Corners Office for Resource Efficiency (4CORE) has won a $50,000 grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Housing Preservation Grant program. The grant will be used for home repairs and energy efficient improvements for low-income rural residents.

“This grant will help Coloradans save money on their monthly energy bills while improving housing conditions,” Bennet said.  “4CORE’s work with local communities is another example of Colorado’s vision and leadership on energy conservation and sustainability.”

"This funding will complement our existing Weatherization Assistance Program and allow us to better assist low-income residents, many of whom work full time, but still qualify as low-income,” said Gregg Dubit, director of 4CORE. “In addition to improving energy efficiency for families, we'll be able to repair and resolve health and safety issues, such as indoor air quality, leaking furnaces, and other potentially unsafe problems.”

4CORE serves southwest Colorado by helping communities conserve energy and integrating energy efficiency and renewable energy into the daily lives of Coloradans.

The Housing Preservation Grant program provides grants to sponsoring organizations for the repair or rehabilitation of low- and very low-income housing.  The grants are competitive and are made available in areas where there is a concentration of need.

Home Spotlight Event Provides Glimpse of Net Zero

Home Features Geothermal, Solar, and other efficient qualities 

The first Home Spotlight event takes place from 4 to 7 PM on November 3rd as part of a quarterly series hosted by the Four Corners Office for Resource Efficiency (4CORE). La Plata County homeowners Richard and Jill Hoehlein will open their home to educate the public and raise awareness about the value and comfort of a sustainably built, net zero home.

The Hoehlein’s home was designed as a prototype with plans available at a discount so renewable energy and energy efficient features can be easily replicated for other homeowners. Passive solar design is used, along with natural day-lighting techniques, solar photovoltaic, and solar hot water to take full advantage of the 278 days of sunshine in our region. Home comfort and low heating costs are ensured by a geo-exchange ground source heating and cooling system, combined with quality air sealing, superior insulation, and a heat recovery ventilation system. A Growing Spaces Growing Dome® provides food year-round, with xeriscaping and native landscaping maintained around the home with drip irrigation. Finally, universal design features accommodate people with physical disabilities.

Register here for the Tour ~ It's FREE!

"We are delighted to share our experience in building the county's first LEED platinum home and our commitment to living in a way that is highly energy efficient and environmentally responsible,” said Richard Hoehlein, the homeowner. “Hopefully it will serve as a model for others who share our concern about the long-term sustainability of our planet's resources and would value living in an essentially net-zero energy residence."

The home is located at located at 602 Powder Horn Trail just outside of Durango and the event is free and open to the public. Suppliers and builders will be on-hand to explain the products and processes used to construct the home. A Road Runner Transit shuttle bus will run from the Durango Transit Center to the home between the hours of 4 and 7 PM. 

“We are pleased to showcase this relatively modest home,” said Mark Galbraith of Galbraith Builders. “The mix of geothermal, solar and energy efficient attributes makes this home the ideal solution for anyone who wants to minimize their impact while living in the utmost comfort.”

This Home Spotlight Event is sponsored by Galbraith Builders, Growing Spaces, Smart Enterprises, Boss Mechanical, Water Furnace International, Sherwin-Williams, and Road Runner Transit, a program division of the Southern Ute Community Action Programs (SUCAP). Please visit www.fourcore.org, e-mail info@fourcore.org, or call 259.1916 for directions to the home or for more information.

Plug Loads = Opportunities for Savings!

Our households and offices have more plug-in devices than ever before. The use of home electronics, mobile devices and computers has increased rapidly over the years.

We often think of space heating as the main energy gobbling culprit. Much less attention is given to the plethora of devices that plug into the wall sockets. Current information shows that these “plug loads” can contribute anywhere from 9 – 20% of a home’s energy usage.

For instance: A single workspace can consume 1,500 kWh each year. 

That's an average cost of $175!

Common plug loads:

• Televisions
• DVD players
• Computers
• Stereo systems
• Printers
• Remote controlled devices

Many of these devices, such as set-top boxes and computers, are left on even when unused. Others are “turned off" but still use a significant amount of standby-power, like televisions and stereos.

How do you identify and manage the worst abusers? What can you do to curb your plug load consumption? What tools are out there to help?

Join us for a free Brown Bag Session October 17th from noon – 1:15 pm at the First National Bank of Durango, in the downstairs training room.

Our presenter, Erica Lighthiser, from Ecova, will cover the following topics:
1.      What are plug loads?
2.      Why are they a problem?
3.      Simple steps to save energy and money at your home or office.
4.      Alternatives to the gadgets you can’t live without.

When we save electricity, we save money and decrease emissions from power plants.

Remember, the cheapest (and cleanest!) energy is the energy that is never used!

Grand Prize Winner of HomeRx Energy Efficiency Makeover Contest

4CORE is proud to announce the grand prize winner of the HomeRx Energy Efficiency Makeover Contest. Launched in May 2012, the HomeRx Energy Makeover Contest has now awarded three local families with home energy efficiency improvements to enhance comfort and reduce energy consumption.

4CORE’s selection committee chose La Plata County homeowner Emily Lloyd as the grand prize winner for the contest. Lloyd will receive a free comprehensive energy audit by WeatherCo to identify potential energy savings and other areas of improvement. Insulation is provided by ProBuild and air sealing services will be provided by 4CORE. The Grand Prize is valued at $1,500.

“My daughter and I were fortunate enough to receive assistance from the Regional Housing Alliance to purchase our town home, but our electric baseboard heat costs over $300 in the coldest winter months,” said Emily. “We are really looking forward to having our home 'made over' with energy saving, bill-deducing solutions.”

The HomeRx Energy Makeover Contest was created to help raise awareness of 4CORE’s energy efficiency programs. 4CORE provides resources for homeowners to save money on rising utility bills, while addressing common health and safety risks for occupants. In addition to providing certified weatherization services, 4CORE helps local residents reduce the use of natural resources, save energy and costs, and enjoy a better quality of life.

“4CORE’s programs and activities have directly helped residents save thousands each year in utility bills,” said Gregg Dubit, Executive Director of 4CORE. “The HomeRx Makeover Contest is an extension of our commitment to promote and maintain a vibrant, resilient and thriving community through expanded programs and partnerships.”

4CORE would like to thank its partners and supporters of the HomeRx Makeover Contest, including WeatherCo, ProBuild, Treehouse Communications, Energy Check LLC, 810 Pixels, Annadel Building Solutions LLC, and Verified Green.

For additional information, please contact 4CORE at info@fourcore.org or (970) 259-1916.

True Story: Healthy Rental Home

Duct before and after cleaning

My landlady is a saint. Or at least, she has me convinced she is.

As an employee of 4CORE I know the dangers of radon and dirty furnace ducts, and as the mother of a one-year-old, I want to minimize the risks of poor indoor air quality to my family.

So when I brought the scary results of two radon tests (one done in February, one in May) to my landlady and asked her what could be done, she didn't bat an eye. She called up a radon mitigation company and ordered the work on our basement to take place within a month.

Similarly a few months later, my husband noticed a nasty black residue inside our ducts and told our landlady. She ordered work from a company that specializes in duct cleaning, and had her home serviced, as well. Now both furnaces are working more quietly, efficiently, there is no burnt smell from dust settling in the system over the summer, and I'm betting our bills will be reduced, too.

Saint or Savvy?
Is our landlady really a saint, or is she savvy by maintaining the value of her rental investment? Is she protecting our family's health because she loves the way my daughter waves and smiles at her, or does she realize that:

Unhealthy Indoor Air Quality + Taking Action = Doing the Right Thing

I'm betting on a bit of both - the canned pears she gave us last week would indicate she is a caring person, but she also owns a large ranch, a home in Silverton, and three homes in Durango and maintains all of them with an eye for a bargain and frugal spending.

Rental Property Owners: Food for Thought
If you own rental property, the first thing that might cross your mind is "I don't want to know if it has radon or a dirty HVAC system, because then I'll have to fix it."

However, there is a movement afoot in our region to educate home buyers (you probably won't hang on to your rental forever), and home renters too, about the dangers of unsafe air quality.

Why not do the right thing now and maintain your rental investment by ensuring a safe, clean Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning (HVAC) system, and gain peace of mind by testing your rental (and home!) for radon. A healthy and efficient home helps to ensure comfort for the occupant and the budget!

About the Author

Teresa Shishim is a Colorado native who is dedicated to improving where we live through collaboration. She earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Environmental Science at Western Washington University and has significant experience managing and coordinating projects and programs, including marketing campaigns, volunteer programs, and events. She gained this experience through a variety of positions, including serving as the Director of a non-profit river restoration group and as Marketing Manager for a start-up software company.

Teresa is the designated Community Energy Coordinator for Archuleta and San Juan Counties.

Standby Energy

At 4CORE our first path to improving our efficiency is through reduction of the resources that we use. Sometimes it can be water or gas.  But one of the most effective ways to reduce our carbon footprint is to reduce our use of standby power, or vampire watts. Many are not aware of the amount of energy that is lost just through charging our cellular phone and other devices that help us with our regular routine. Examples include coffee makers, fridge/freezers, CD  andDVD  players, and game consoles. These can equate to about 10% of your average electric bill. About 1% of the U.S. ‘s CO2 emissions were from stand-by power. That’s about 16000 pounds a year.

Wattage chart by Responsible Energy

The allotted items listed by Responsible Energy you can save an annual $65-100 and over 1,000 pounds of CO2 emissions per year. In the United Kingdom the average power bill  is $136 and a reduction of 10% sounds pretty good right? By utilizing current methods of standby energy containment we can reduce those bills! Some say that it takes an hour a day to make sure all standby items in the house are turned off but a lot of people don’t have an hour to dedicate to un-plugging all of our appliances- and most of us wouldn’t know how to tell if a product like a TV even consumes energy while idle. There are many solutions to this issue such as smart outlets, which will cut the power supply to product if it is fully charged, or just not being used (check out this review for smart outlet options). Also by using ENERGY STAR rated products you can pick the product that has the lowest standby consumptions.

Electric hot water heaters can be the largest culprit of standby energy due to the need to keep water warm. It is possible to reduce the number of times a day the heater kicks on. A timer that shuts off the water for the time you are not in the house is good way to save on gas or electric water heaters.

Many governments have implemented some voluntary and mandatory guidelines to reduce electronics that require standby power to one watt power consumption in stand-by mode. California was the first to establish a mandatory law for electronics with a standby mode to be a low wattage. An example is the creation of a law- selling of TV’s with a standby wattage of more than 3 watts is illegal. This significantly reduces CO2 emissions. In the U.S. we have an ENERGY STAR designation from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), which a surprising amount of people haven’t heard of. These items were designed by all you’re favorite companies like Sony and Samsung, but they are rated energy savers, and will be a better investment in the long run through energy saved on your bills. Find more ways to save at Energy.gov.

Follow this EPA link to find more tips and tricks on reducing standby energy use.

At 4CORE we have all our computers on power strips, and we turn off lights, printers, and copiers at night.
What do you do to reduce your plug load?

About the Author

Brian Catanese was born and raised in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. He has studied at Kent state University and Fort Lewis college and will receive a degree in environmental studies at the end this upcoming year. He is an avid mountain biker, skier, fisherman, and hiker. He chose this internship because 4CORE is improving our way of life through energy efficient practices.

HomeRx Energy Efficient Lending Option

Easy steps for getting a local loan

First National Bank of Durango is excited to partner with 4CORE to provide financing for your energy improvements. HomeRx loans through First National Bank of Durango have a great interest rate and the Bank's loan origination fee is waived (up to $125.00).

Easy steps:

1. Contact 4CORE regarding HomeRx program
2. Arrange for a Home Energy Audit through 4CORE- performed by nationally certified home energy auditors
3. Receive 4CORE HomeRx Detailed Home Prescription.
4. Complete 4CORE HomeRx Improvement Contract with 4CORE detailing work to be done and funds needed to complete work. Reimbursement of your cost of the audit can be included in the contract.
5. Apply for HomeRx loan with First National Bank of Durango. Loan amount can be up to the contracted amount. Provide First National Bank of Durango with copies of two (2)most recent pay stubs and/or two (2) most recent tax returns.
6. Upon loan approval and signing, the following disbursements will be made:  
   * Reimbursement to borrower for the cost of Home Energy Audit
   * Down payment of 20% issued to 4CORE.
7. Open HomeRx checking account with First National Bank of Durango. 
8. Hire contractors (must be from the 4CORE list of approved contractors) and schedule work to be completed.
9. Complete Final Inspection Report with 4CORE.
10. Request disbursement of final payment to 4CORE for further payment to subcontractors. 4CORE will complete all necessary lien waivers

First National Bank of Durango has other loan options available. You may want to consider a Home Equity loan or line of credit if your project includes other home improvements in addition to the energy efficiency needs.

Contact First National Bank of Durango loan officers for more information: 

Nicole Blake 382-5709

Barb Kinney 382-5787

Gary Roberts-Bayfield 382-5639

HomeRx 2nd Round Winner Announced

4CORE) is proud to announce the second winner from the HomeRx Energy Makeover Contest.

4CORE’s HomeRx selection committee chose Dale and Drea Shumate as second prize winners for the contest, featuring a free comprehensive energy audit by Energy Check LLC to identify potential energy savings and other areas of improvement, as well as insulation from ProBuild and air sealing services, valued at $950.

“We heat our home solely with electricity, which gets expensive in the winter,” said Drea from Durango. “This home energy makeover will help us identify what we can do to get costs under control and provide some of the tools we need for saving energy.”

The grand prize winner will be announced on September 29th at the Durango Farmer’s Market and will receive a comprehensive energy audit, insulation, and weatherization services from WeatherCo, valued at $1,500. There is still time to register for the HomeRx Grand prize. Sign up below:

Launched in May 2012, the HomeRx Energy Makeover Contest was designed to help raise awareness of 4CORE’s new HomeRx program, a fee-based program for La Plata County homeowners interested in saving energy and lowering their utility bills. HomeRx provides opportunities and resources for homeowners to save money on rising utility bills, while addressing common health and safety risks for occupants.

4CORE will administer the fee-based HomeRx program by working with local contractors to identify areas for improvement based on individual needs, including air and gas leaks, furnace and appliance replacement, and other energy saving measures.

4CORE would like to thank its partners and supporters of the HomeRx Makeover Contest, including WeatherCo, ProBuild, Treehouse Communications, Energy Check LLC, Annadel Building Solutions LLC, and Verified Green.

For additional information, please contact 4CORE at info@fourcore.org or (970) 259-1916.

Resource Smart Business Program Invites Local Businesses to Become ‘Resource Smart Certified’

The Resource Smart Business Program (RSBP), a free, voluntary certification program that helps local businesses throughout La Plata County operate more efficiently, is currently seeking businesses interested in making positive changes to improve energy consumption, worksite wellness and overall sustainability in the workplace.

Participating businesses will be guided through a six-step certification process to identify potential areas for improvement, and will be provided with recommendations and education for business owners and employees. Businesses that complete the certification process and implement resource efficiency measures become ‘Resource Smart Certified‘ and receive recognition and promotion for their efforts, including a $1,000 rebate, positive media exposure, promotional materials, and more.

“Working with the RSBP pilot program has enabled us to make smart business decisions for the Coop that not only affect the bottom line, but also our employees, customers and the environment,” commented Joshua Jackson, manager of Durango Natural Foods.

“So far the program has enabled us to convert our refrigeration lighting from T-12 to LED, saving 7,688 KWh and $769 annually. We expect to see a return on this investment in just 24 months.”

In addition to helping local businesses reduce energy consumption to offset rising energy costs, the RSBP enables businesses to reduce operational costs, improve employee wellness, boost brand integrity, and increase profitability. Businesses receive a free comprehensive assessment, valued at $1,500, and recommendations based on individualized needs to improve energy efficiency, wellness for employees, and sustainable business development. The RSBP also provides a list of financial incentives and qualified local contractors to further assist businesses in implementing resource efficiency measures.

The RSBP is a collaboration between Fort Lewis College Environmental Center (FLC EC), Four Corners Office for Resource Efficiency (4CORE), Healthy Lifestyle La Plata (HLLP), Local First, La Plata Electric Association (LPEA), and SWConnect with funding provided by an EPA grant awarded to La Plata County in 2011. As a result, local businesses are able to participate in the RSBP free of charge. A total of 30 businesses are expected to participate and become ‘Resource Smart Certified’ by the end of 2013.

A number of local area businesses are already participating in the RSBP, including Pine River Valley Bank in Bayfield, KSUT Four Corners Public Radio in Ignacio, Durango Natural Foods, Pediatric Associates of Durango, Durango Coffee Company, Brown's Sport Shoe, Animas Museum, For the Birds LLC, Gloss, Linda's Local Food Cafe, Backcountry Experience, and Southern Ute Cultural Center & Museum.

“We’d like to thank current business participants for making our pilot program a huge success,” said Amanda Saunders, 4CORE Program Coordinator. “Our goal is to elevate the ‘Resource Smart Certification’ program to be recognized and regarded by all La Plata County businesses, employees and consumers as the most highly valued certification among the local business community.”

For more information or to apply for RSBP certification, please visit the website or contact Amanda Saunders with 4CORE at (970) 259-1916.

REAPing our Resources Wisely

What is going on with the Resource and Energy Action Plan (REAP)? Though grant funding is now spent, 4CORE is working hard to implement projects and programs that address the goals of this comprehensive document (goals are listed at the bottom of this article). We're using the programs that we have already initiated to leverage REAP activities.

How do 4CORE programs relate to these goals? Read on to learn more...

Home Prescription Program (HomeRx):

REAP Goals # 2, 3 and 4: This program essentially provides weatherization services for those who don't qualify for the low-income Weatherization Assistance Program. Program participants initiate the process with an energy audit, which helps home owners recognize energy efficiency improvements needed to reduce energy use. As an added bonus, 4CORE works with clients to find ways to finance the recommended improvements, or prescriptions. 

4CORE is off and running with two HomeRx audits under our belt and a lot more in the que. We're still taking registrations for our HomeRx Makeover Contest too!

Resource Smart Business Program (RSBP):

REAP Goals # 2, 3 and 4: The RSBP is a free, voluntary certification program that helps local businesses operate more efficiently. Businesses who participate will assess their energy consumption, worksite wellness and overall sustainability. Businesses that make positive changes will then become “Resource Smart Certified” and receive recognition and promotion for their efforts. To date, three La Plata County businesses have participated in the pilot program and nine more participants for the next stage have been accepted. The RSBP is a collaboration between Fort Lewis College Environmental Center, Four Corners Office for Resource Efficiency (4CORE), Healthy Lifestyle La Plata, Local First, La Plata Electric Association and SWConnect. Learn more at resourcesmartbusiness.com

Southwest Solar Transformation Initiative (SSTI): 

REAP Goal #1, 4 and 7: 4CORE is working with staff from Optony to create a Solar Roadmap for our region. Several regional municipalities are participating to facilitate the development of solar opportunities. The purpose of  creating a Solar Roadmap is to drive solar market maturity via significant improvements in 5 key areas: Permitting, Interconnection, Net Metering, Planning and Zoning, and Financing. More about SSTI here.

Sustainable Building Education Program (SBEP):

REAP Goals # 2, 3, 4 and 7: This program seeks to educate and train building industry professionals, home buyers, and owners about the value of building homes with energy efficiency and renewables in mind, and best practices used to do it. Though grant funding has run out for this program, 4CORE is working to attract program sponsors to keep this program alive and well. For information on how to sponsor, contact Cori at 970-259-1916 ext. 111.

4CORE Information Hub:

REAP Goals # 2, 3, 4 and 7: Everyday, 4CORE provides information to people to inspire our community to be resource-savvy.  We offer training opportunities, provide weatherization services, and share energy saving information throughout Southwest Colorado because resource conservation saves energy and money by helping individuals, families and businesses thrive.

Finally, 4CORE remains active with coordinators from around the state who are now being lead by the Alliance for Sustainable Colorado to link sustainability efforts within and among different regions in Colorado. The Colorado Sustainability Collaborative is comprised of both urban and rural groups, focused on one or more sustainability issues. The long term vision is to implement comprehensive sustainability plans in each region which then fold up into a statewide effort. Joining forces with these other groups allows us to share our experience and use that of others to help implement our energy action plan here locally.

For more information on the REAP, or to get involved, contact us via email, or call us at 970- 259-1916.

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REAP S.M.A.R.T. Goals (specific, measureable, agreed-upon, realistic, and timely):

S.M.A.R.T Goal Priority #1: Create a prioritized list of recommendations to promote renewable energy (RE) development in conjunction with conventional energy in the five-county region for residential, commercial, industrial and municipal interests by June 30^th, 2012.

S.M.A.R.T Goal  Priority #2: Assist building owners in recognizing energy efficiency (EE) improvements needed to reduce energy use in residential and commercial buildings by at least 25% in all five counties by 2012.

S.M.A.R.T Goal Priority #3: Beginning in 2013, 10% of homes sold per year will have energy audits; 5% of homes sold per year would implement recommended upgrades.

S.M.A.R.T. Goal Priority #4: Increase community awareness (10% of the population per year beginning in 2012) of the importance and benefits of existing and future resource and energy conservation mechanisms, EE/RE ideas, models, and available services. Emphasize collaboration between all sectors.

S.M.A.R.T Goal Priority #5: Work with the Transit Coordinating Council and the existing Southwest Colorado Regional Transit Feasibility Study to implement action items which increase the availability and usage of mass transit in our region.

S.M.A.R.T Goal Priority #6: Foster the development of a regional resource recovery system by 2015.

S.M.A.R.T Goal Priority #7:Incentivize RE and EE in new building construction by working with the city/county building departments in all five counties to encourage a reduction in RE and EE building permit costs by October 2012.

S.M.A.R.T Goal Priority #8: Develop a collaborative mechanism for working with public lands sectors and management by April 30, 2012 in order to accomplish REAP goals.

First Winner of HomeRx Energy Makeover Contest

4CORE is proud to announce the first winner from the HomeRx Energy Makeover Contest.

4CORE’s selection committee chose Betty and Larry Bewley as third prize winners for the contest, featuring a free walk-through assessment by Verified Green to identify potential energy savings and other areas of improvement, as well as insulation from ProBuild and air sealing services, valued at $650.

“We are thrilled to have been selected as the third prize winner,” said Larry Bewley from Ignacio. “Energy efficiency and saving money are important issues for us, and we’re especially interested in reducing our utility bills for the coming winter.” 

Second prize for the HomeRx contest will be announced in late August, and the winner will receive a comprehensive assessment by Energy Check, air sealing services, and ProBuild insulation, valued at $950.

Finally, the grand prize winner will be announced on September 29^th at the Durango Farmer’s Market and will receive a comprehensive energy audit, insulation, and weatherization services from WeatherCo, valued at $1,500.

There is still time to register for the HomeRx Contest.

Launched in May 2012, the HomeRx Energy Makeover Contest was designed to help raise awareness of 4CORE’s new HomeRx program. The HomeRx program is a fee-based program for La Plata County homeowners interested in saving energy and lowering their utility bills. HomeRx provides opportunities and resources for homeowners to save money on rising utility bills, while addressing common health and safety risks for occupants.

4CORE will administer the fee-based HomeRx program by working with local contractors to identify areas for improvement based on individual needs, including air and gas leaks, furnace and appliance replacement, and other energy saving measures.

4CORE would also like to thank its partners and supporters of the HomeRx Makeover Contest, including WeatherCo, ProBuild, Treehouse Communications, Energy Check LLC, Annadel Building Solutions LLC, and Verified Green. For additional information, please contact 4CORE at info@fourcore.org or (970)259-1916.