More than 300 Longmont buildings received energy upgrades in 2022, the Platte River Power Authority announced Wednesday.
Around 180 of the upgraded buildings were homes and 140 were businesses, the utility’s data shows. The upgraded Longmont businesses are expected to save a combined total of more than $470,000 a year in operating costs.
The utility’s Efficiency Works program and Longmont Power & Communications upgraded the buildings in an effort to reduce carbon emissions and energy use.
“Longmont is a co-owner of Platte River Power Authority and thus of Efficiency Works, which administers rebate programs for the cities of Longmont, Loveland, Fort Collins and Estes Park,” said Scott Rochat, spokesperson for Longmont Power & Communications. “It’s a collaboration where we provide the resources and Efficiency Works provides the single point of contact that customers can go to for energy advising and rebate assistance so that they can get the upgrades they need.”
The upgrades include new high-efficiency appliances, weather stripping and enhanced insulation.
More than 40 of the upgraded Longmont homes were income-qualified customers receiving upgrades for little to no cost, the data shows.
Longmont residents who are interested in qualifying can schedule a $60 home energy assessment, Rochat said.
“These assessments allow Efficiency Works to identify the opportunities your home has for saving energy and what applicable rebates are available to get the work done,” he explained.
Energy Outreach Colorado also has a program that’s designed for income-qualified customers — Colorado Affordable Residential Energy, or CARE, which can help residents receive free energy upgrades.
Efficiency Works facilitated more than 1,300 home upgrades and 600 business upgrades in its region, according to a news release. Participants are expected to save a combined total of more than $328,000 per year on future electricity bills; however, cost savings are individually assessed with each home, Rochat explained.
“That will vary from customer to customer, depending on the upgrades being looked at, the space itself and how people live in or use the space,” he said.
