4CORE- Your Resource Efficiency Hub

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FNBD
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Durango SolarWorks
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In This Issue
Issue Sponsor
4CORE & Partner Events
Lending Resources
Sponsor Opportunities
Thank YOU
Help Wanted
6 Reasons You Should Borrow
HomeRx Energy Efficient Lending
The PowerSaver Loan
HomeRx Makeover Contest
Step into Our Board Room
Rebates Update

4CORE & Partner Events

 

Radon Control Techniques New Homes (for Builders)
September 12, 12:45 - 2 PM
Montezuma County CSU Extension Office, 109 West Main, Room 102, Cortez

  



Homebuyers Class 
Regional Housing Alliance (RHA) 
September 12, 19, and 26
6:00 - 8:30 PM 
4CORE will present info on the 26th on how to make improvements and save money on bills.

Call for  location and to sign up: 970-259-1418

  


 
Green Business Roundtable
Taking Sustainability Literally
Mark McElroy, Ph.D. 
September 12, 12:00-1:00 PM  
Strater Hotel Pullman Room 
699 Main Ave., Durango
 

  
Net Zero for Professionals
Durango Discovery Museum 
1333 Camino Del Rio
Free presentations by internationally acclaimed expert in green building, Daniel D. Chiras.  

  

Net Zero for All
September 13, 5:30- 6:30 PM 

  

Net Zero for Building Professionals
September 14, 8:00- 9:00 AM

  

2012 Colorado Energy Master 
Provides a comprehensive overview of energy efficiency and renewable energy in Colorado. 
September 6 - November 15
6 - 7:30 PM

  


 
DIY Energy Assessment Workshop
La Plata County Extension Office 
September 15, 9:00 AM - 2:00 PM
Register by contacting Sharal Foss at 970-491-6281 
 
 
HomeRx Grand Prize Winner Announcement
Durango Farmers Market September 29, 9 -12:00 AM
Join 4CORE to sign up for other prizes, too, including energy efficiency kits and a walk-thru assessment from Annadel Building Solutions.
 

Lending Resources in Southwest Colorado   

 

Business Energy Upgrade Loan

Ed Morlan
Region 9 Economic Development District
970-247-9621
email Ed

Home Energy Upgrade Loan
Kathy Burgess
First National Bank of Durango
970-247-3020
email Kathy

 

Power Saver Loan

Stephen Ponce-Pore

Bank of Colorado 

970-679-7454

email Stephen





Sponsor Opportunities
Sponsorship provides a direct channel of communication for you to connect with the community. Your support creates heightened awareness of energy efficiency in our community. 

Newsletter Sponsorship

4CORE's newsletter reaches 2,000 subscribers who could be looking at your logo. Our open and click-thru rates are great, with 18% of email viewers clicking on links that could be taking them to YOUR website. 

 

Monthly- Your logo and link to your web site are in the 4CORE newsletter for one issue. 

 

6 Months- Your logo, link to your web site, and company description are in the 4CORE newsletter for 6 months. Bonus listing on fourcore.org.

 

Yearly Sponsorship-Your logo, link to your web site, and company description  are in the4CORE newsletter for 12 months. Bonus listing on fourcore.org

Email for more information or
sign up here.

Sustainable Building Education 
 
Brown Bag Lunch- Session Sponsor
Includes your logo in all promotional materials leading up to the event (enewsletter, flyers) and on display before the session.
 
Email to sponsor 

Thank You!

4CORE would like to thank Melinda Shishim, for her help with HomeRx contracts.


Help Wanted

Part-time paid training position for office administration at 4CORE. This position is offered in conjunction with SER Jobs for Progress

 

Must be 55 years or older, unemployed, possess basic computer typing and computer skills, and low income. Call Judy at SER at 970-385-3995.   


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Energy News you Can Use is published monthly

 


Thank you to our Partners!

 

CO Energy Office

  

La Plata County

 

Durango

 

SCC  

 

Ignacio

 

LPEA

 

EEA

 

City of Cortez   

 

Silverton

Resource News You Can Use

Upgrading the performance of your home can be an intimidating process, both for financial reasons and making decisions on the best renovations for your budget. This issue is dedicated to making the process simple and easy.

 

Here is your first breakthrough tip: If you haven't already, begin with lighting. This is a simple way to involve your family or your employees, and the energy saving benefits are almost immediate. Also, there are some great rebates available for LED bulbs and commercial lighting for those in LPEA territory.

You Don't Have to Fear Financing

You have several options for low-interest loans as a business or homeowner. Banks and lending institutions know that efficiency upgrades reduce your energy bills, which makes sense (and cents) and allows you, the borrower, to pay back improvement loans with the savings. 

 

It doesn't have to be complicated. Read on to learn upgrading your home or business today.

6 Reasons You Should Borrow 

If you don't have cash for upgrades right now...  

  1. Upgrading water and space heating equipment, appliances, insulation, and lighting is one of the smartest investments you can make- you can lower your utility bills up to 30%, increase your property value, AND add to the resale value.

  2. You might borrow money for a car, boat, or motorcycle (which lose value as soon as you drive them off the lot), so why not invest in home upgrades that will end up paying you back for years to come- and get the motorcycle next year!

  3. Investing in energy efficiency is investing in the community. When you work on your home or business, you are creating jobs, buying supplies, and even borrowing money from local banks. This helps stimulate our local economy and keep our dollars local.

  4. Utility prices are only expected to rise in the future, so if you can decrease the amount of energy and resources you use now, you are on your way to a bright future!

  5. Eighty percent of the homes that have been weatherized by 4CORE and partners have had significant health, safety, and efficiency issues, such as gas leaks or disconnected ducts. Getting an energy audit will help detect these problems and fixing them could increase your life span.

  6. You probably get your teeth cleaned, change the oil in your car, and maybe even take your bicycle in for an annual tune up. So why wouldn't you get a checkup and maintain your biggest investment- your home or business?

More often than not, a home energy audit will indicate that one of the best things to do for your home is to upgrade your insulation. Learn more about types of home attic insulation by checking out this video:

 

Attic Insulation Options and Measuring
Attic Insulation Options and Measuring

HomeRx Energy Efficient

First National Bank of Durango

Lending Option 

Easy steps for getting a local loan

 

First National Bank of Durango is excited to partner with 4CORE to provide financing for your energy improvements. HomeRx loans through First National Bank of Durango have a great interest rate and the Bank's loan origination fee is waived (up to $125.00).


Easy steps:
  1. Contact 4CORE regarding Home Rx program
  2. Arrange for a Home Energy Audit through 4CORE- performed by nationally certified home energy auditors
  3. Receive 4CORE HomeRx Detailed Home Prescription.
  4. Complete 4CORE HomeRx Improvement Contract with 4CORE detailing work to be done and funds needed to complete work. Reimbursement of your cost of the audit can be included in the contract.
  5. Apply for HomeRx loan with First National Bank of Durango. Loan amount can be up to the contracted amount. Provide First National Bank of Durango with copies of two (2)most recent pay stubs and/or two (2) most recent tax returns.
  6. Upon loan approval and signing, the following disbursements will be made:  
    * Reimbursement to borrower for the cost of Home Energy Audit
    * Down payment of 20% issued to 4CORE.
  7. Open HomeRx checking account with First National Bank of Durango. 
  8. Hire contractors (must be from the 4CORE list of approved contractors) and schedule work to be completed.
  9. Complete Final Inspection Report with 4CORE.
  10. Request disbursement of final payment to 4CORE for further payment to subcontractors. 4CORE will complete all necessary lien waivers

First National Bank of Durango has other loan options available. You may want to consider a Home Equity loan or line of credit if your project includes other home improvements in addition to the energy efficiency needs.


Contact First National Bank of Durango loan officers for more information:
Nicole Blake 382-5709
Barb Kinney 382-5787
Gary Roberts-Bayfield 382-5639

Find more on the Energy to Evole Blog

The PowerSaver Loan

From the Bank of Colorado 

 

PowerSaver

The Bank of Colorado is pleased to announce the launch of the new

PowerSaver loan. This loan is specifically intended for use in financing energy efficiency improvements. Unique to the PowerSaver loan is the ability to borrow up to 100% of the value of the home. The loan can be repaid over a 15 year fixed rate term and has very low interest rates. The Bank of Colorado is the only Colorado-based bank authorized by the Federal Housing Administration to offer the PowerSaver loan. 

 

Additional information is available by calling. Ask about how you can save money, improve your home, and be more comfortable all year long by renovating your home using a PowerSaver loan.

 

Program Highlights 

  • Low Interest Rates
  • Loan Amounts to $25,000
  • No closing costs for the contractor or the borrower 
  • 15 Year Terms
  • LTV/CLTV up to 100% of Property Value
  • Minimum Credit Score 700 FICO
  • Approved products include Solar, HVAC, Windows, Doors, Insulation and Water Heaters
The Bank of Colorado offers several loans designed to finance energy efficiency improvements or for the purchase of an energy-efficient home. Ask about which loan may be best for you. For more information on the PowerSaver Loan, call 970-679-7454.

HomeRx Makeover Contest   

Still time to Win a Free Home Energy Makeover!   

2nd winner announced:


Dale and Drea Shumate of Durango will receive a comprehensive audit from  Energy Check, LLC, insulation from ProBuild, and air sealing services from 4CORE!

 

La Plata County homeowners can still compete to win one (1) Grand Prize Home Energy Makeover, complete with a comprehensive energy audit, consulting session, and home efficiency improvements, valued at $950.

 

The Grand Prize Winner will be announced at the Durango Farmers Market on September 29th! Join us that morning to sign up for other prizes, too, including energy efficiency kits and another walk-thru assessment from Annadel Building Solutions.

 
Winners are selected based on the home's potential energy savings. 
Applications to be submitted per entry and screened by a panel of judges.

 

Register to Win a Free Home Energy Makeover Here

  

The Home Performance Prescription Program (HomeRx) provides a suite of water and energy-saving services for residents in Southwest Colorado.

 

HomeRx Home Makeover Contest Sponsored by:

   CO Energy Office WeatherCo  Energy Check, LLC

 

      ProBuild  Annadel Building

Solutions LLC

 

Treehouse Communications      810 Pixels

    

For more information or to sponsor this event, contact 4CORE

Step Into Our Board Room

4CORE Looking for a Few Good Board Members

 

4CORE is recruiting board members for our next term. If you or someone you know is interested in contributing time and expertise to our cutting-edge organization, please download and fill out the 4CORE Board Candidate Nomination Form.

 

More information

Board Criteria:

  • Demonstrate a strong commitment to the goals of 4CORE's mission- "To Advance Resource Efficiency"
  • Balance/temper personal and professional goals with those of 4CORE
  • Ability to influence or mobilize resources to meet the mission
  • Ability to judge whether or not 4CORE's strategic and tactical plans are prudent

The Board's role is to provide:

  • Governance: Oversee and evaluate the ED; Review/Monitor operations to ensure mission and goals are met; Approve the strategic plan (which includes the budget)
  • Leadership: In partnership with the ED, establish and guide the mission and direction
  • Stewardship:  Ensure dedication to, and use of assets for, benefit of public
  • Sustainability: Ensure 4CORE is sustainable by influencing or mobilizing resources to meet the mission.
For more information on this process, 
contact 4CORE

Rebates and Incentives

Rebates for LED bulbs from LPEA. 

Click here to learn more

 

 

Natural gas rebates



            Empire Electric Association's

            Energy Efficiency Credit Program

 



   
                       

   LPEA Rebate Program

   Credits

 

 

   SMPA Rebate Program

  Rebates

 

recharge CORecharge Colorado

State Recharge Colorado rebates are no longer available, but this site is still a great resource to find a comprehensive list of rebates that are available.


 

Call 4CORE at 970-259-1916 if you have any questions or need assistance.

 

As always, if you have any feedback or questions about becoming more energy efficient, please contact us.

Regards,


4CORE Staff

About Our Newsletter Sponsors

First National Bank of Durango

First National Bank of Durango is more than just a bank, they are a friend and trusted resource to the people who live and work in our community, helping them fulfill their financial dreams and enriching their lives! They were the first bank to open their doors in Durango. 

Banking has changed over time but the bank remains committed to providing unequaled service to clients, creating a positive and enjoyable workplace, being exceptionally involved in the community and treating all of constituents with respect and dignity.

 
Durango SolarWorks
SolarWorks is a full-service solar photovoltaic and solar thermal installation company serving businesses and residents in Southwest Colorado. Our clients trust our expertise, our products, and our knowledge to develop creative solutions to their energy needs. SolarWorks is Colorado Solar Energy Industries Association (CoSEIA) certified and offer 25-30 year warranties, retrofits and remodels for residential and commercial.Take advantage of a free site assessment by calling (970) 382 2624 or emailing SolarWorks today.

 

Advancing Resource Efficiency