Por Dia Preschool Weatherization 

Join us at Por Dia Preschool in Cortez for an energy efficient makeover!

January 16th (Martin Luther King Jr. Day), 2-4 pm

1515 S Oak St, Cortez 81321  

4CORE and the Southwest Conservation Corp will be conducting an energy evaluation at Por Dia Preschool and Learning Center and demonstrating weatherization energy saving measures, air sealing, compact fluorescent light bulbs, and possible insulation.

The preschool has multiple heat sources (boiler furnace, electric baseboard and pellet stove), but none of them adequately heat the preschool. Air sealing and insulation will greatly increase the energy efficiency of the building. 

City of Cortez Joins 4CORE        

Cortez Working to Reduce Energy Costs

Seeking ways to reduce energy consumption and operating costs, the City of Cortez has changed out streetlights, added electric vehicles to its fleet, added solar to heat water for the recreation  center's pool, and has energized its small scale hydro generation plant, which powers a 240kW generating unit and sells electricity to Empire Electric Association. To date, the plant has produced 1.46 million Kilowatt hours of electricity.

These projects are part of a long-term sustainability plan to save energy costs while lessening the impact on the environment.   

This year, Cortez has supported 4CORE by contributing funds that will enable 4CORE to continue resource conservation work. 4CORE thanks the City of Cortez for this contribution!  

If you are interested in supporting 4CORE programs and projects, click here. 

Did You Know?      

1. Consider New Light Bulbs: Switching your light bulbs to compact fluorescents (CFLs) is one of the easiest ways to save energy. CFLs use about 75 percent less energy than conventional incandescent bulbs! Also consider installing dimmer switches or motion sensors. Why have the lights on if no one is around?
2. Recycle: Simple as that.
3. Unplug Electronics: Did you know that new large flat screen TVs can use twice as much energy as an average refrigerator, even when it is off? Don't let energy vampires suck your budget dry. Make sure to unplug appliances, chargers, computers etc. when they are not in use-particularly if you are going out of town.
4. Take Advantage of the Sun: In the winter, open window blinds to allow the sun to come in and warm the house. In the summer, close your blinds to keep the sun out.
5. Monitor your Water Heater: Turn the water heater down to 120° F. Insulate your water heater with a water heater blanket. If no one is home during cold months, set the temperature to a lower setting. Turn the water heater off in the summer if it isn't in use.
6. Go Low-Flow: Install low-flow faucets, showerheads, and toilets to reduce unnecessary water use. Water is far too valuable of a resource to waste, especially in the West.
7. Program your Thermostat: Turning the thermostat down at night or when you are not at home is a great energy saving habit. You can save five to fifteen percent off your heating bill if you adjust your thermostat by ten degrees for at least eight hours a day. Programmable thermostats are an easy way to accomplish this. They automatically adjust for day- and night-time temperatures.
8. Purchase Energy Star Appliances: One of the easiest ways to save energy and money is by purchasing highly efficient appliances. For example, an Energy Star certified clothes washer, compared to a conventional washer, will save you up to $550 in operating costs-not to mention tons of air-polluting emissions-over its lifetime!
9. Insulate: Make sure your house is well-insulated. It just makes cents! You wouldn't go out into the cold night air without your coat, would you? So why would you let your house do it? Without proper insulation, you could be wasting thousands of dollars per year on unnecessary heating costs. 
10. Think Renewable: Install renewable energy systems to be on the cutting edge of the new clean energy economy and generate your own heat and power. Look into solar water heating, photovoltaic, ground-source heat exchange, and micro hydro systems. With all the federal and state tax incentives, you will likely get a great deal!

Rebates and Incentives

In the meantime, keep your ears tuned for improvements to the deduction for the cost of qualifying energy efficient commercial building property, commonly referred to as the section 179D tax deduction. In an effort to improve this incentive, Treasury is revising that guidance and in the coming weeks will issue new guidance to modify the existing targets for claiming the partial deduction.  In addition, Treasury will continue to work on streamlining the requirements for claiming a deduction.

 

 

Check here for information on rebates from these gas utilities. 

            Empire Electric Association's

            Energy Efficiency Credit Program

   Rebates

 

Recharge Colorado rebates are no longer available.