Energy Conservation

Conservation in your home
Not only does energy conservation at home reduce the amount of money you pay in heating bills, it also reduces pollution. Currently, we use nearly 9 percent of our electricity from renewable sources such as wind power, hydropower, the sun and vegetation. Nonrenewable energy sources such as fossil fuels (oil, gas and goal) comprise 71.5 percent of our energy sources and the remaining 19.5 percent of electric power is generated through nuclear power plants. (Source: USEPA)

When we burn fossil fuels, we release carbon dioxide which combines with other pollutants to create  wintertime air pollution  and summertime ozone pollution. When you reduce your energy consumption at home you not only reduce your heating bills, you are helping to keep our environment clean. Start by evaluating your home energy consumption by visiting the Virtual Home Energy Advisor  developed by the Environmental Energy Technologies Division at the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory. This advisor helps you calculate consumption and provides tips to reducing your home energy prices.

In addition to the Virtual Home Energy Advisor, the Department of Energy's Office of Energy and Efficiency and Renewable Energy provides information on how you can reduce your home energy costs . This Web site also provides information on the consumption of typical home appliances  and how easily to audit your home's energy use.   You can also work with Xcel Energy to, for a fee, complete an Xcel home energy audit for you. 

If you install energy efficiency improvements in your home, you may also be eligible for rebates through the Governor's Energy Office, Recharge Colorado Campaign.

Did you know that trees and vegetation planted strategically to block the sun's direct radiation and prevent heat transfer to a home or building may reduce cooling energy consumption by up to 40 percent annually? Strategic placement of this low-tech remedy that has been used for hundreds of years can also help reduce your home energy prices.

For more information on home energy conservation tips, please visit the following sites:

American Council for Energy-Efficient Economy 

Consumer Federation of America 

Environmental Protection Agency and Department of Energy's Energy Star  program

Conservation in your business
June 15, 2010, Westminster launched the Small Business Efficiency Program, offering up to $5,200 in energy efficiency rebates to small- and medium-sized businesses.
The rebates are for facility audits, lighting retrofits, re-commissioning services and setback thermostats.

The Governor’s Energy Office and the City of Westminster will provide hands-on support to all participating businesses throughout the program. By participating in this program, businesses will be able to reduce energy and operating costs, help stimulate local clean energy jobs and reduce overall carbon emissions for the community.

Funds are available on a first-come, first-served basis. 

Curious about the energy savings in your office appliances?  Calculate the energy savings in your appliances and compare them to others through the Energy Star calculator.

Xcel Energy also provides conservation support services to your business.  Visit Xcel's business webpage for more information.

Conservation with your vehicle
Fossil fuels, like gasoline, are not renewable resources and your efforts to conserve gasoline not only reduce the amount of money you spend on gas, it also decreases the amount of air pollution created. When we burn fossil fuels, we release carbon dioxide which combines with other pollutants to create wintertime air pollution and summertime ozone pollution.

The following tips will not only save you money, they will also help keep our air clean:

• Keep your car properly tuned and avoid excess idling - you can save nearly 9 cents per gallon and keep your vehicle from emitting excess fumes.
• Keep tires properly inflated - save nearly 7 cents per gallon in fuel.
• Keep the use of the air conditioner and electrical accessories to when only needed - for each tank of gasoline, the air conditioner consumes more than one gallon of gasoline.
• Limit car idling - 30 seconds of idling can consume more gasoline than the amount used to start the vehicle.
• Obey the speed limit. For every mile-per-hour over 55, you car loses almost 2 percent in gas mileage and increases the amount of fumes emitted by the car. Use cruise control.
• Utilize your bicycle, carpool or take the bus - for current bus schedules visit the Regional Transportation District .

You can also investigate your vehicle's fuel economy. The Department of Energy's Office of Energy and Efficiency and Renewable Energy has information on vehicle fuel economy , where you can evaluate your car and access vehicle purchasing rebates available when you purchase electric or hybrid vehicles. If interested in alternative fuels research and application, you can also visit the office’s Alternative Fuels Data Center .

For more information on vehicle fuel conservation tips or alternative fuels, please visit the following sites:

Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy 

American Hydrogen Association 

Bionergy Information Network 

Electric Power Research Institute 

National Biodiesel Board