Thursday, August 30, 2012

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

Tuesday, August 28, 2012

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.

Wednesday, August 22, 2012

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 DurangoDurango Coffee CompanyBrown's Sport ShoeAnimas Museum, For the Birds LLCGlossLinda's Local Food CafeBackcountry 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.

Wednesday, August 8, 2012

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.


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 30th, 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.

Thursday, August 2, 2012

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 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 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.