EnergySmart
and Conservation for All programs collaborate to provide homeowners a way to give
rebate dollars to low-income neighbors

Boulder County, Colo. - Boulder
County has partnered with the Center for ReSource Conservation (CRC), a local
non-profit, to provide a new benefit to EnergySmart program participants.
Participants will now be able to donate rebate dollars they have received to low-
to moderate-income residents who are interested in energy and cost saving
upgrades. This new donation option is possible through the CRC’s Conservation
for All program.

Often
times the most efficient and long-term cost saving technologies also have the
highest up-front cost, creating a barrier for low- to moderate-income families
to adopt these technologies. Low-income families are also the population who
stands to benefit the most from the energy cost savings, allowing their income
to be focused on basic needs such as healthy food and education, instead of
energy costs.

“By
gifting rebate dollars, EnergySmart customers can expand their impact, helping
low-income families and others in our community save natural resources too,”
Neal Lurie, President of CRC, notes. “These are direct, measurable impacts for
families in need that immediately lower utility bills.”

Gifted
rebates and other donations are spent on improving energy and water efficiency
throughout income qualifying homes. This includes switching out everything from
old lightbulbs, old water-wasting toilets, and even installing solar power.

The
EnergySmart service has helped more than 15,000 homes in Boulder County become
more comfortable, affordable, and energy efficient since 2011. This free
service provides a personal home energy advisor to help residents understand
which energy efficiency and renewable energy upgrades are best for them,
connect the homeowners with pre-qualified contractors, and find all available
rebates and incentives available. Now these rebates can be passed along to increase
energy efficiency on a broader scale.

“The
Sustainability team is always looking for innovative ways to serve the needs of
our residents,” said County Commissioner Elise Jones. “This is a new way to let
community members help one another and combat climate change and we are proud
to support this new opportunity.”

Residents
can enroll in EnergySmart for free energy efficiency, solar, or electric
vehicle advice. For more information about Boulder County’s EnergySmart
program, visit www.EnergySmartYES.com.

For more information
about the Center for ReSource Conservation’s Conservation for All program,
visit www.ConservationForAll.org.