The Passive House concept represents today’s highest energy standard with the promise of slashing the heating energy consumption of buildings by an amazing 90%. “Passive” describes the system’s underlying receptivity and retention capacity. Working with natural resources, free solar energy is captured and applied efficiently, instead of relying predominantly on “active” systems to bring a […]
XCEL’s Solar Rewards Program
July 21, 2013 by 1 Comment
XCEL’s Solar Rewards program has increased to 33.6 megawatts available for rebates for small-size solar power systems at least for the remainder of 2013 until the commissioners approve XCEL’s 2014 plan. In Colorado, the rebate money comes from a 2 percent surcharge added to the monthly bills of XCEL customers to help pay for renewable […]
Winterizing Your Property
December 1, 2012 by 1 Comment
Consider preparing your property for winter to lower energy costs, increase comfort in cold months, and possibly improve resale value. The three main updates to focus on for the winter are the windows, exterior and furnace. Adding energy-efficient vinyl windows to the home can have an average payback of more than 69 percent. Vinyl replacement […]
What’s the one thing you can do to your home to save the most energy?
October 23, 2012 by Leave a Comment
In autumn and spring, mild temperatures make it easy to forget about your home’s energy efficiency. However, when your air conditioner or furnace kicks in during the summer and winter months, the energy wasted heating and cooling your home becomes painfully obvious, especially due to the price spikes in electricity and gas during the most […]
Save Energy For Summer : Flip Your Ceiling Fan Rotation
July 2, 2012 by Leave a Comment
For homeowners with ceiling fans, the change of seasons offers a timely reminder to change the direction in which your ceiling fan blades rotate. It not only cools your home more efficiently, but it can lower your energy bill, too.
Green Remodeling Tips
November 1, 2011 by Leave a Comment
According to the Sierra Club, as the average U.S. home size increases, demanding more energy and materials, living smaller is a surefire way to reduce your ecological footprint. It’s also an opportunity to enjoy thoughtful design and a simpler lifestyle. To see more tips for making the transition: http://sierraclub.org/tips/home-garden.aspx
More Insulation?
February 22, 2011 by Leave a Comment
The science of home insulation is ever evolving. Homes built in 2004 may already be out-of-date and Energy Star construction ups the ante even more. So how do you know if your home needs more insulation? A simple method to check insulation for newer homes is to check with the builder. Many keep records and […]
Tax bill keeps Energy Credits for 2011
January 6, 2011 by Leave a Comment
If you are a homeowner who neglected to take advantage of the energy tax credits in 2010, you will get another chance in 2011. This is a great relief to many who thought they missed the cut-off. We owe our thanks to the extension of the energy-efficiency improvement tax credits.