Sustainable Warming

The leaves are changing color and cooler weather is upon us here in La Plata County.  We all are beginning to cut and stack firewood, top off the propane tank, check our furnaces, fireplaces and equip our homes with the needed measures to ensure the optimal deliverance of warmth in the months to come.

As we prep our homes for the coming of colder weather, there are some helpful practices for ensuring energy efficiencies and equally, cost savings when we go to turn on the heat this winter. One of the biggest ways to save energy and money is to consider weatherizing your home. Weatherization, as Beverly explained in the last post- Weatherization- more than comfort and safety, is a means of making your home more energy efficient. One way is to utilize local resources that already have the steps all mapped out. Visit the Weatherization Assistance Program page at 4CORE and learn more about what it is like to have your home weatherized. Maybe you even qualify for 4CORE Weatherization Services.

How to test household efficiency?If you don't qualify for the Weatherization Program, there are rebates through Recharge Colorado for doing an overall energy assessment to find the best ways to make improvements and upgrades. This could include insulation, heating units like furnaces, household appliances like refrigerators, sealing air leaks, changing old light bulbs to compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFL), installing storm windows and doors.

There are many organizations offering easy-to-use guides and resources to help your household become more efficient and sustainable. One site that I think really offers a lot of helpful information is the U.S. Green Building Council’s Green Home Guide.

Here they offer the opportunity of asking professionals questions concerning the building and/or maintenance of an efficient home. They have guidance on types of homes- new or old, rooms (bathrooms to nurseries), appliances, interior and exterior paints and facades, homeowner situations and general energy efficiency insight and guidance. They also provide 9 Ways to Make Your Home More Energy Efficient, similar to the measures mentioned above with some insightful additional strategies.

Also, The US Department of Energy has a great Do-It-Yourself Home Energy Assessment guide which leads one through an essential step-by-step process. Home Energy Saver is also a resourceful website, sharing different strategies, tips, incentives, and current State and Federal rebates.

Efficiency and Beyond...
Maybe you are thinking about generating some of your own energy? A local Durango woman, Kathleen Adams, began to think the same thing and started working towards efficiency by first getting an energy audit to best understand her baseline demand for energy and inefficiencies. From there she began to upgrade her 1920's bungalow home into an energy-efficient model home, which was recently featured in 4CORE's Energy Tour. The Energy Tour brought many community members together to learn how Kathleen, among many other home owners, devised ways to save energy and money and set-up their own solar photovoltaic systems.

Kathleen installed a 10-panel 2.1 kw solar photovoltaic system on her roof along with two solar tubes for free and easy day lighting. Kathleen now enjoys not paying utility bills from spring to fall and watching her meter run backwards when she produces more energy than she uses and more than anything is reassured knowing that all the energy she produces and sources from the local utility company is not 'going out the door.'

Wondering about how to assess your own potential for solar and/or wind energy generation? A great source to check out for your on-site residential generation is through the National Renewable Energy Laboratory’s“In My Backyard” (IMBY). Check out this online tool that helps you gauge either your solar photovoltaic (PV) array or wind turbine electricity generating capacity based on your specifications of system size, location, and other variables.

About the Author...
Elsa Jagniecki began working for 4CORE last month and since has enjoyed working on the La Plata Climate and Energy Action Plan (CEAP).

Elsa has recently returned from Sweden where she studied her Master's in Sustainable Development and researched Sustainable Community Renewable Energy for her thesis with two other classmates, where they toured Sweden, Denmark, and Germany and from their research designed The SCRE Tool.

Resource and Energy Action Plan- REAP

Southwest Colorado plays an important role in the burgeoning New Energy Economy in our state. Much of our landscape receives 7 kilowatt hours of sunlight per square meter per day, there is enough of a breeze in many places to make wind power possible, and the feasibility of at least a few win-win off-channel hydro power projects is currently being studied.  Combined with traditional sources of power, such as natural gas, this makes our region a valuable commodity as our state looks into increasing the diversity of our energy portfolio.

As the recipient of the Governor’s Energy Office (GEO) Community Energy Coordinator (CEC) program grant, 4CORE is convening a five-county advisory board that will provide input and feedback on the Resource & Energy Action Plan (REAP) for Southwest Colorado. In addition, 4CORE has been busy getting the word out and answering questions about incentives to save energy through the new RechargeColorado Campaign. These efforts are aimed at creating new jobs,  developing the region’s three- to five-year strategic sustainability plan, and positioning our region for future New Energy Economy activities and funding.


This point in history poses an incredible opportunity for evaluating the way our region uses energy and how we can positively benefit from decreasing our energy use. Incentives provided by Federal and State programs are making it increasingly realistic to save money on our individual energy bills and decrease our dependence on foreign oil, all while improving our quality of life.


Much of the motion toward the New Energy Economy is being generated from the top down through government programs. Constituents are taking advantage of these programs. However, in order to create real energy savings, each of us needs take a focused look at our homes, work place, schools and public buildings, and how we move between these places. There are many ways to save energy.

Clean air, trails, and mountain views are why we live here. Learn about how to get involved in REAP and how to thrive using less energy. Stay tuned here, at www.fourcore.org, and contact us if we can help!

Greening the Holiday

As the frenzied holiday season approaches, 4CORE offers this advice to reduce your impact on our environment (and your pocketbook):

LED Holiday Lights
You can get a rebate from LPEA when you purchase LED lights. Rebates include $2 for a 49-bulb string or less and $4 for a 50-bulb string or more.

These lights use 90% less energy than regular lights. These lights last longer and burn cooler than other kinds of lights, reducing the risk of fire.

Give your time, not "stuff"
We are often tempted to buy things for people that we don't know they will like or appreciate. Instead of using lots of extra paper to wrap a box containing something that might be cast aside or returned, pledge to spend a chunk of time with your friends or relatives, either doing a "chore" or favor for them, or setting a date for lunch or a walk.

Also, consider helping an elderly or disabled friend or relative fill out an application and gather documents to qualify for up to $6500 FREE weatherization upgrades to their home. Check here to see if they might qualify.

Energy Improvements as a Gift
Help pay for part of these energy improvements and the person who receives your gift may be eligible for a tax credit for the non-gift portion (contact your tax adviser). Find incentive information in your area through the Database of State Incentives for Renewables and Energy (DSIRE).

• Replace home appliances with an Energy Star model. Talk about gifts that keep on giving- these appliances use less energy and water, decreasing utility bills to make this gift last.
• Insulate a home to make it cozy and energy efficient. Your loved ones may also be eligible for a rebate through Insulate Colorado (if they live in Colorado).

Smaller Stuffers
If your budget is not ready for a larger gift, consider the following items you can install together:

• CFL light bulbs
• Laundry line
• Weather stripping
• Low-flow shower heads
  

The Gift of Green Power
Pledge to purchase green blocks of power for the year.

LPEA's green power is just $0.80 per month for clients in La Plata and Archuleta Counties. For $9.60 you could provide your loved-one with green power for 2010!

Empire Electric Association's Green Power Program is available for clients in Montezuma and Dolores Counties. Blocks are $0.40/month.

Contribute to Energy Savings Programs
For someone who has everything, make a donation to the Local Clean Energy Fund or 4CORE's Program Support Fund in their name.

• Local Clean Energy Fund donations go directly back into the community via rebates and free or reduced fee services
• Program Support Fund supports 4CORE's education, outreach, and operations

Think Local
Consider buying the Local First Coupon Book as gifts. If you don't live in the Durango area, research a coupon book for your local region. Shopping locally saves energy through decreased shipping, and supporting businesses creates jobs, generates tax revenue, and contributes to community life.

For more great ideas, see the following websites:

Eartheasy.com

Time.com

Newsweek.com

Gifts for Kids

Have a "Slow" Holiday