ENERGY EFFICIENCY
You have the power to control your energy costs
and become energy efficient.
As the cost of energy goes up, more and more people are concerned about their utility bills. Consumers are looking for ways to manage their energy use and reduce costs. Sangre De Cristo Electric, a Touchstone Energy cooperative, has always placed a high priority on promoting energy efficiency.
Visit the Touchstone Energy Savers Web site. It is a one stop connection for valuable tools, resources and information to help you create a more energy efficienct home. On the web site you can complete a home energy audit or an energy savings home tour. You can to go the Light Bulb Energy Saver to caulculate your savings by switching from incandescent to compact fluorescent light bulbs.
Home Energy Savings Guide
This Home Energy Savings Guide is a starting point to get you on the way toward better energy management of your home. In this booklet, you'll find valuable tips designed to create greater home comfort and improve performance.
Requires Adobe Acrobat Reader 
Water Heater Energy Efficiency Tips
Click here for Water Heater Energy Efficiency Tips
Touchstone Energy Kids Zone
The Touchstone Energy Kids Zone Web site is a great place for children to learn how to help their family create a more energy efficient home, ways to save energy and energy safety. This Web site has tons of games, videos, and surprises.
The Business Energy Advisor is a clearinghouse of energy management tools and resources for business customers.
The Business Energy Advisor will help business customers:
*Find out where energy dollars are going
*Get money-saving advice
*Select equipment that makes the most sense
*Identify key purchasing criteria
Features include:
Purchasing Advisor
An up-to-date library of buyer's guides and energy-management tips for over 45 energy technologies.
Operations and Maintenance Advisor
Detailed information on ways to improve equipment performance and increase energy efficiency.
Commercial Energy Advisor
Specific energy tips for a range of sectors including, office buildings, retail shops, groceries, hospitals, motels, restaurants, and schools.
Plus, find information on rebate programs, calculators to help you evaluate cost effectiveness, and more.
The Commerical Energy Savings Guide
The Commercial Energy Savings Guide is an easy-to-read brochure that has tips on ways to reduce energy costs on monitoring HVAC systems, efficienct water heating, and ensuring proper ventilation at facilities.
Requires Adobe Acrobat Reader
Home Energy Improvements - Weatherization
The Energy Management Program, also known as Weatherization, weatherizes low and moderate income homes to reduce their fuel consumption and heating costs. Services include: caulking and weather stripping, insulation, storm windows, furnace tune-up, minor repairs, furnace replacement, refrigerator replacement. There is an income guideline for participation. If you qualify the Energy Management Program will do work on your house or mobile free of charge!
If you live in Chaffee or Lake County contact Northwest Colorado Council of Government at 1-800-332-3669.
If you live in Custer County contact the Pueblo County Department of Housing and Human Services at (719) 583-6315.
For more information or other counties Weatherization Programs please visit the Governor's Energy Office webstie at www.colorado.gov/energy.
Consumer Energy Tax Incentives
What the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act Means to You
The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 extended many consumer tax incentives originally introduced in the Energy Policy Act of 2005 (EPACT) and amended in the Emergency Economic Stabilization Act of 2008 (P.L. 110-343).
About Tax Credits
A tax credit is generally more valuable than an equivalent tax deduction because a tax credit reduces tax dollar-for-dollar, while a deduction only removes a percentage of the tax that is owed. Consumers can itemize purchases on their federal income tax form, which will lower the total amount of tax they owe the government.
Fuel-efficient vehicles and energy-efficient appliances and products provide many benefits such as better gas mileage –meaning lower gasoline costs, fewer emissions, lower energy bills, increased indoor comfort, and reduced air pollution.
In addition to federal tax incentives, some consumers will also be eligible for utility or state rebates, as well as state tax incentives for energy-efficient homes, vehicles and equipment. Each state’s energy office web site may have more information on specific state tax information.
Go to the U.S. Department of Energy's web site for complete detils.
Also visit the Governor's Energy Office web site.
If you have questions or would like further information please contact Linda in Member Services at (719) 2394-4589 or by email at nyberg@myelectric.coop.
