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Homes in Denver come in a variety of shapes and sizes. More importantly, how we use energy at home varies when we take into account a home’s age and structure, the number of people living in the home, and the change in season throughout the year. Making your home energy efficient can improve comfort and indoor air quality while reducing your energy bills. It can also help the City meet its climate goals while protecting public health.
Be sure that your contractor is licensed to work within the City & County of Denver and pulling appropriate permits for your projects.
Home Energy Audits
A home energy audit is a 2-3 hour diagnosis of your home performed by a certified and licensed auditor. The diagnostic tools used during an audit (blower door and infrared camera) are used to help diagnose a home when you can’t see issues with the naked eye. After the audit is complete, a report will identify opportunities to improve your home now, and into the future when it’s time to replace appliances such as your heating or cooling systems.
Xcel Energy offers a few programs you may wish to take advantage of to assess your home:
- Home Energy Squad - $50 trip fee, includes full replacement of all incandescent bulbs with LED lights, weather-stripping, smart thermostat, faucet aerators. Schedule an appointment online or call 303-446-7910. You may also submit your information, and Xcel will call you to schedule an appointment.
- Full Home Energy Audit – Can be combined with a Home Energy Squad visit for a total cost of $150. In addition to the services above, a home audit utilizes diagnostic tools to assess the home’s air leakage as well as infrared camera images to identify problem areas.
Prioritize Upgrades
1) Behavior Changes
- Open/close blinds during hot or cold days
- Install motion sensors/timers
- Utilize power strips to turn off stand-by power
Instant rebates for select items like power strips available at the Xcel Energy Store: www.XcelEnergyStore.com
2) DIY Measures
- Insulate hot water pipes and older water heaters
- Consider alternatives to window replacements such as storm window attachments or insulated blind attachments (Window Attachments Energy Rating Council)
- Place a chimney balloon in your fireplace
- Establish annual heating and cooling maintenance to extend the life of your systems
- Weather-stripping and caulking around doors and windows
The Home Energy Squad through Xcel Energy offers a quick install home visit for one fee of $50. Call 303-446-7910 to learn more or visit www.XcelEnergy.com.
3) Low-Cost Changes
- Change out incandescent bulbs to LEDs
- Insulate and air seal attic, crawlspace and walls where possible
4) Higher-Cost Changes
- Upgrade heating/cooling systems
- Upgrade appliances to Energy Star rated
Going Solar
- Consider Rooftop or Community Solar – Taking steps to reduce your energy use before adding solar can save money on energy costs and may even mean fewer solar panels needed on your property.
- Sign-Up for Windsource – A program through Xcel Energy that allows customers to purchase renewable energy
1. Guide for Securing a Group Discount (pdf) - A helpful tool for neighborhoods/groups interested in facilitating a group discount for specific home energy efficiency measures like insulation, furnace, evaporative coolers, solar, etc.
2. Sustainable Neighborhoods Program – Is your neighborhood involved? - This program supports Denver neighborhoods in deepening their sustainability efforts while getting support and recognition from the City.
Rebates through Xcel Energy
- Full list of residential rebates available through Xcel Energy
- Instant Rebates for select items – Xcel Energy Store
- Home Energy Squad - $50 trip fee, includes full replacement of all incandescent bulbs with LED lights, weather-stripping, smart thermostat, faucet aerators. Schedule an appointment online or call 303-446-7910. You may also submit your information, and Xcel will call you to schedule an appointment.
- Full Home Energy Audit – Can be combined with a Home Energy Squad visit for a total cost of $150. In addition to the services above, a home audit utilizes diagnostic tools to assess the home’s air leakage as well as infrared camera images to identify problem areas.
Financing
- RENU Loan – Colorado Energy Office statewide energy loan program.
This loan makes energy upgrades easy and affordable by offering low-cost, long-term financing for energy efficiency and renewable energy improvements.
Tax Credits
Energy Cost Savings for Denver Residents
Receive a $40 bill credit each year in October
On a few hot summer days a year, Xcel Energy may cycle your air conditioner off and on and will circulate the already-cooled air throughout your home.
Call Xcel at 800-895-4999 to enroll or learn more.
Receive a $25 bill credit each year and qualify for up to $125 in additional rebates
Adjustments are made to your smart thermostat during the hottest summer days to help Xcel Energy manage the electric grid.
Customers can have a smart thermostat installed by Xcel Energy at no cost.
Call 800-895-4999 to enroll or learn more.
Receive a $50 check by mail for each working fridge or freezer recycled
Plug in your fridge or freezer the night before the pickup date to show that it works when it is picked up the next day.
Call 866-552-8755 to make an appointment for your free refrigerator pickup.
Get help paying a portion of your winter home heating costs
Households with a monthly gross income up to $4,561 for a family of 4 (60% of the state median) may qualify for heating assistance this winter through LEAP.
Call 866-432-8435 for more information.
Receive FREE energy efficiency evaluations and upgrades
Households with an annual income up to $80,0000 for a family of 4 (80% of the area median) may qualify for free energy efficiency upgrades such as energy audits, emergency repairs, and equipment replacement from Energy Outreach Colorado.
Call 303-226-5061 for more information.
Receive FREE energy efficiency evaluations and upgrades
Households with an annual income up to $52,400 for a family of 4 (200% of federal poverty guidelines) and those that qualify for LEAP, SSI, SNAP, TANF, AND, or OAP, may qualify for free energy services such as insulation, HVAC upgrades, light bulb replacements, appliance replacements, and more.
Call 720-236-1321 for more information.
Mailing Address:
101 W. Colfax Ave
Denver, CO 80204
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