Four More Businesses are Now Resource Smart Certified

The Resource Smart Business Program (RSBP) recently certified Maria’s Bookshop, Housing Solutions for the Southwest, Pet Haus and San Juan Basin Health Department as ‘Ramping Up’. The RSBP process is helping them to make positive changes in their business and our community by reducing energy consumption, increasing worksite wellness and promoting sustainable business practices in the workplace. These businesses have made upgrades that will ultimately increase their profits by saving money on their bottom line.

“This program is guiding us on a path to deeper efficiency for our business,” said Peter Schertz, owner of Maria’s Bookshop. “Our staff is excited about the benefits and ideas the RSBP has introduced.  The culture of our work place as well as that of employee’s homes has shifted.”

Maria’s changed their lighting system by replacing 116 CFL light bulbs with LEDs, resulting in annual savings of $1,748, an investment with a return on investment of less than one year. They have also previously installed a bike rack for customers in the parking space outside the store, provide incentives to employees that choose not to drive, purchase 100% green power, built a shed to store reusable cardboard boxes for the community, and much more.

Pet Haus installed a thermal entrance door to minimize air infiltration and heat loss, and upgraded lighting to LEDs. Their estimated annual savings of $415 is expected to pay for itself in less than 6 months. Other Resource Smart actions previously taken by Pet Haus include sourcing local and made in Colorado pet products, offering whole, raw, organic and non-GMO pet food options, using green cleaning products, offering biodegradable plastic bags for products, accepting drop-off plastic bags for re-use, using slow-drip irrigators and xeriscape landscaping, and installing low-flow toilets and sink aerators, among other activities.

Housing Solutions for the Southwest installed programmable thermostats for swamp coolers, insulated and air sealed their warehouse garage door, replaced their bathroom exhaust fan for better ventilation, and signed up for single-stream recycling. Their estimated annual savings is $97 and 2,362 kWh.

San Juan Basin Health Department signed up for single-stream recycling and is working on building upgrades. Other Resource Smart Actions previously taken by San Juan Basin Health Department include ordering post-consumer recycled paper products, setting printers to print double-sided automatically, and sending out an educational wellness newsletter to staff, among other activities.

Maria’s Bookstore is located at 960 Main Avenue in Durango or at www.mariasbookshop.com. Pet Haus is located at 1444 Main in Durango or at www.pethaus.net. Housing Solutions for the Southwest is located in Bodo at 295 Girard St. in Durango or at swhousingsolutions.com. San Juan Basin Health is located at 281 Sawyer Dr. in Durango or at sjbhd.org. Stop by their businesses to support Resource Smart Certified businesses.

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

4CORE brings Healthy Homes Grant to La Plata County

4CORE is launching the Healthy Homes Project to increase community awareness of public health issues related to residential indoor air pollution. The goal is to share low- or no-cost methods for reducing indoor air pollution health risks for vulnerable populations, including low income families, children and the elderly.

4CORE received an Environmental Justice Grant from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to fund this effort in La Plata County. Throughout the next year the project will conduct 18 presentations across the county to provide information on topics such as asthma, radon, carbon monoxide poisoning, second-hand smoke and Sick Home Syndrome.

“The EPA says we spend an average of 80-90% of our time indoors and this air can be two- to five-times more polluted than air outdoors,” states Gregg Dubit, Executive Director of 4CORE. “We are excited to be able to provide this information to our region’s low-income populations, especially children and elderly people who are particularly at risk.”

A long-term goal of the project is to improve the health of program participants through improved indoor air quality in their homes as a result of information gained from presentations. Participants will receive free radon test kits, carbon monoxide alarms and information on low- or no-cost methods for the reduction of home-based health hazards.

Key partners in the project include: San Juan Basin Health Department, Housing Solutions for the Southwest and the Regional Housing Alliance. Interested community organizations, low-income housing developments and health providers are encouraged to contact 4CORE at 970-259-1916 to schedule a presentation.  For more information, visit www.fourcore.org.

La Plata County Organizations Celebrate Local Sustainability Efforts

On Sept. 7, 2013, local businesses and area organizations will share their sustainability efforts with the community at the Sustainability Showcase Celebration. The event will feature food, drinks and music, and a ‘Passport’ that participants get stamped at educational stations and turn in to receive a prize.

In July of 2011, La Plata County received a Climate Showcase Community grant from the Environmental Protection Agency to decrease greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by optimizing business efficiency, educating youth, increasing the production and consumption of local food, and promoting ridership on local transit.

The Resource Smart Business Program is a certification program that helps businesses operate more efficiently by decreasing their energy consumption, increasing worksite wellness, and promoting sustainable business practices. Program partners include the Four Corners Office for Resource Efficiency (4CORE), Bright Green, Fort Lewis College Environmental Center, Healthy Lifestyle La Plata, La Plata Electric Association, Local First, and SWConnect.

The Durango Discovery Museum has been working to engage youth with innovative technology by creating a living laboratory that demonstrates the value and science of renewable energy and energy efficient building practices. Healthy Community Food Systems works with producers, processors, marketers, and consumers to make our local food system healthy, economically viable, and good for the land. Southern Ute Community Action Programs reduces commuter vehicle miles traveled by increasing ridership on Road Runner Transit. These groups will showcase their resource efficient programs and activities by educating and entertaining the community on September 7th from noon to 2 p.m., outside on the Durango Discovery Museum Plaza.

"The Climate Showcase Community program is an incredible opportunity to bring together a diverse array of community organizations to collaborate on innovative sustainability programs," says Amanda Saunders, 4CORE Program Coordinator. "We are excited to share what we have been working on for the past two years and how it benefits our community."

10 Things to Ask before Signing a Rental Lease

Ready to move in? Before you sign, take care of your health and your pocket book by asking these questions:

1. If you are paying utilities, what is the estimated cost of utilities each month? How about in winter when heating costs are higher? Often times, you can call the utility to find out these costs if the landlord doesn't know. 
2. Who arranges for and pays for maintenance and repairs? If it is the landlord, how long does the repair process usually take? 
3. What are policies on visitors, pets, and subletting?
4. Has the landlord ever done a radon test, and if so, what were the results? If any results came back 4 picocuries per liter of air (pCi/L) or greater, a retest and mitigation should have been done. If it wasn't done, occupants are at risk for increased chances of lung cancer. 
5. How long ago was the furnace, gas stove, or other combustion appliance tested for gas leaks? 80% of homes weatherized by 4CORE had health and safety issues, usually related to gas stoves, furnaces, water heaters, or other appliances.
6. How old are the appliances and are any of them ENERGY STAR rated? 
7. Is there any mold or asbestos in the home? If so, indoor air quality could be poor and you might not want to move in until these are removed. In addition, make sure that you know about the presence of any lead paint and that work on the home has followed  lead-safe practices.
8. How well are the windows and doors air sealed? This might be something you look for when you go to view the house. If there are obvious gaps, ask them to be repaired before you sign. 
9. Are there any reasons the land lord or property manager would break the lease before it is expired? 
10. Have previous tenants experienced any respiratory-related health problems that you are aware of? 

Other things to consider: 

• Get rental insurance for your belongings- a land lord's insurance will not cover you- just the property. 
• If children or elderly people are going to be living with you, they are at a higher risk for indoor air quality issues. Make sure radon and appliance testing are addressed before signing.

4CORE Launches Home Performance Prescription Program (HomeRx)

4CORE is pleased to announce an innovative program now available for Southwest Colorado homeowners. The Home Performance Prescription (HomeRx) program lowers utility bills by identifying primary areas for home energy improvement, prescribing upgrades, linking area residents with incentives, financing, and contractors, and providing inspections for quality assurance

Building on the success of 4CORE’s HomeRx Program pilot, this initiative is for homeowners who are interested in improving home comfort and making smart investments in proven energy efficiency upgrades. HomeRx offers financing options and local contractors to create a package that pays for itself in a short amount of time. The homes in the HomeRx pilot are saving an average of $481 annually in utility bills, in addition to improving health, safety, comfort, and quality of life for families. 

"Many area residents are paying too much to heat their homes, and a surprisingly high number of homes have serious health and safety problems," said Gregg Dubit, Executive Director for 4CORE.  "We are excited to help area homeowners of all income levels get on the path to higher performing, more comfortable homes. This is an area that 4CORE has solid expertise in, having assisted over 630 homeowners already." 


4CORE will be using the latest diagnostics available from the Department of Energy’s Home Energy Score to evaluate homes. This system scores homes and compares them to national averages. In addition to energy improvements such as air sealing and insulation, HomeRx addresses the health and safety of combustion appliances for gas leaks, performance, and general indoor air quality. Radon testing is also available. 

4CORE’s HomeRx Program links homeowners with financing options, including loans through local lending institutions, rebates, and other incentives. First National Bank of Durango is providing HomeRx-specific loans for homeowners. 

"We are excited to be offering this loan program as part of 4CORE’s HomeRx Program," noted Steve Emrich (NMLS ID # 787887), Vice President of First National Bank of Durango, equal housing lender, member FDIC. "We anticipate this program becoming more popular as homeowners come to understand the value of long-term energy savings."  

In addition to assisting individual residents, the HomeRx Program will benefit Southwest Colorado’s economy by boosting job creation through referrals to local contractors, and saving energy dollars that would otherwise go to providers outside of our region. 

Tom Zajicek, nationally certified building science expert, is coordinating HomeRx and is now taking reservations for home assessments. For additional information or to sign up, please email Tom at 4CORE or call (970) 259-1916 ext. 113.

4CORE and Local First Share Resources Local to Reduce Costs

Local First and the 4CORE are teaming up to save costs and resources by sharing an office space. Both organizations are now located in the West Building at 835 E. 2^nd Avenue, room 440.

The organizations’ co-location is a natural fit: both work to stimulate local economic growth and preserve independently-owned businesses in La Plata County.

"I am excited by this opportunity," said LeeAnn Vallejos, Director of Local First. "Our vision to create a sustainable economy that values people, the planet and prosperity for all is shared by 4CORE, and this move will foster opportunities that will open up new avenues for collaboration and community growth." 

Local First and 4CORE work together on the Resource Smart Business Program, which provides assessments, recommendations, and incentives for local businesses to improve building efficiency, worksite wellness and sustainability.

Sharing expenses such as rent, printing costs, utilities, and internet is a strategy many non-profits are using to reduce overhead costs and improve the ability to collaborate. Working in close proximity allows for the easy exchange of ideas and information, preventing overlapping services and increasing cooperation between organizations.

4CORE and Local First are sharing rent expenses and have the chance to easily work on business-related programs and campaigns.

"Local First is a long-time partner that we’ve collaborated with through the years," said Gregg Dubit, 4CORE Executive Director. "This co-location has allowed us to stay in our current office and it will be nice to only have to walk a few steps for a meeting."

Stop by to visit both 4CORE and Local First, or get involved by visiting them online at www.local-first.org and www.fourcore.org.

How Cold is your Conditioner?

When we compare and contrast, evaporative systems cost half of what it takes to run air conditioning systems and use 75% less energy. This can keep you and your wallet cool during summer months. Here is a great summary of the differences taken from a publication by Xcel Energy:

Central Air Conditioners
System components include a single outdoor unit and uses ducts to distribute cooled air throughout the house.

How It Works

• Air is drawn in through return-air ducts
• Uses high velocity air forced through ducts
• Filtered air is routed to air supply ductwork that carries it back
to rooms
• Cycle repeats continually when air conditioner is running

Performance
• Produces cold, dry air (works best in an airtight home)
• Temperature control and eliminates drafts
• Eliminates humidity from the home
• Reduction in airborne particles such as dust and lint
• Condenser unit is located outside the home limiting indoor noise

Costs
• Higher initial purchase and installation expense
• Higher electricity costs

Maintenance
• Low maintenance
• Replace air filter and clean coils regularly

Evaporative Coolers
System components include a single outdoor unit typically located on the roof, ground, window
or in the attic, and a water line to the system.

How It Works
• Cools air by filtering it through water saturated pads
• Fan inside unit pulls outside air through the sides and into the house
• Water is stored in a pan (media pads) at the bottom of the cooler
• Cooled air is distributed from central location or through existing ducts
• Need to open window or vents to outside when operating

Performance
• Increases humidity in the home
• Increased fresh air flow in the house
• Limited reduction in airborne particles such as dust and lint
• Reduced control over exact temperature in house

Costs
• Uses up to 75% less electricity than central air
• Lower initial purchase and installation expense
• Lower operating costs, typically half of central AC

Maintenance
• Need to maintain air flow balance
• Weatherization maintenance needed in the spring and fall