Living in Colorado for 20 years has taught me to always be prepared before going on a hike, i.e. check the weather & route conditions, and layer up. It’s also taught me that cold winters and rising energy costs are a dangerous mix too.

Step 1 – Be prepared and make a plan: get a Home Energy Audit

A certified auditor inspects your home top to bottom, using blower door tests, thermal imaging, and combustion safety checks to find exactly where energy (and money) is being wasted, and what upgrades will deliver the biggest return. You’ll receive a prioritized action plan tailored to your home. And with rebates, this could be very inexpensive or even FREE!

Step 2 – Wear layers: Air seal and insulate your attic

A puffy jacket traps warms air where you want it, i.e. around your body… insulation does the same thing for your house. That said on windy days even a puffy can only do so much, that’s where a wind breaker or soft shell comes in, preventing the wind from sucking away all the heat… this is akin to air sealing. Most homes lose 25 – 40% of their heating and cooling through cracks, gaps, and thin insulation. Sealing air leaks around windows, doors, pipes, and attic penetrations, and upgrading insulation, keeps heated air where it belongs, IN THE HOUSE. The result: fewer drafts, steadier temperatures, and dramatically lower energy bills.

If you’re ready to save money, please contact Go Electric Colorado (https://goelectriccolorado.org/contact-us/) to schedule a free, virtual home energy consultation with a volunteer expert who can make contractor recommendations, compare estimates, and assist with the rebate process.

Editor’s Note: This article was generously written by Ross Kelman of the LUN Climate Action Committee.