“The Recovery Act is helping Colorado communities use cutting-edge technology to reduce energy use, save money and lessen our carbon footprint,” said Gov. Bill Ritter. “This new grant is yet another example of how the private and public sectors are joining forces to propel the New Energy Economy forward and strengthen Colorado’s position as a national leader and magnet for entrepreneurs and clean energy technology.”
The grant will go to three Front Range weatherization agencies, working in partnership with the Governor’s Energy Office and Symbiotic Engineering and Tendril Inc. for a 1,600-home test project to determine if in-home energy monitors and other tools can help low-income residents make simple behavior changes to dramatically reduce utility costs. Weatherization agency partners include Longs Peak Energy Conservation in Boulder and Longmont, Veterans Green Jobs in Denver and the Arapahoe County Weatherization Division.
Analysis of Colorado’s weatherization program has shown that standard weatherization services, including the installation or upgrading of insulation, can save an average homeowner 13.6 percent on their gas bill and 5.4 percent on their electric bill. However, research indicates that savings can be far greater with increased client education and simple changes in behavior. The Governor’s Energy Office and its partners are seeking to determine if in-home energy monitors will help residents substantially lower energy consumption. If successful, the use of in-home energy monitors could become standard practice in weatherization programs at both the state and national levels.
This $950,000 grant was the second federal innovation grant for weatherization work awarded to the Governor’s Energy Office and its partners. This spring, the U.S. Department of Energy awarded the Governor’s Energy Office nearly $1 million to further develop and expand weatherization training in community colleges and other programs. The Department of Energy has also recognized Colorado as one of the most successful states in weatherizing homes with Recovery Act dollars, making energy efficiency upgrades to nearly 7,500 homes in the first program year.
Today’s grant to Colorado was one of approximately 120 awards totaling $120 million for innovations in the federal Weatherization Assistance Program. These grants are designed to help weatherization agencies expand their programs and test new pilot projects that use new financial models and new technologies.
“The weatherization program under the Recovery Act is successfully creating jobs in local communities, saving money for families, and reducing carbon pollution across the country,” said Energy Secretary Steven Chu. “The funding announced today builds on the Department’s existing investments in energy efficiency to continue to expand and drive innovations in the weatherization program that will provide even greater energy and cost savings to low-income families.”
For more information on the Governor’s Energy Office Weatherization Program, visit rechargecolorado.com or call 1-800-462-0184.
