Energy Action Plan

In 2017, City and County of Broomfield developed an Energy Action Plan with Xcel Energy Partners in Energy, setting a goal for energy action in CCOB businesses. These strategies can be implemented by both businesses and residents of Broomfield to improve energy efficiency, reduce electric bills and help CCOB meet its sustainability goals.

The identified strategies include:

• Energy efficiency 
• Building code 
• Renewable subscriptions 
• Net-metered rooftop solar 
• New construction building electrification 
• Existing building electrification 
• Offsets, technology improvements or other

Priority Strategies and Targets 

Through the energy analysis, Partners in Energy and Broomfield identified priorities to focus outreach and policy efforts moving forward, including the strategies with the highest impacts on emissions, as well as renewable energy, outlined in the table below.

Residential Energy Efficiency Opportunities

Below are a few energy efficiency options residents should consider if they want to contribute to a sustainable future.

Home Energy Squad

For just $50, Home Energy Squad will come to your home and swap out traditional incandescent light bulbs for LEDs, install a programmable thermostat, weather-strip a drafty door, install energy-efficient shower heads and aerators, and more. Installation, labor, and materials are FREE and valued at $200! Schedule a visit online today. 

Home Energy Squad also is offering virtual home energy visits. Just like a typical visit, the virtual assessment provides you with personalized recommendations to help you add comfort and energy savings to your home year-round. Using a smart device, a Home Energy Squad technician will guide you through your home to identify key opportunities. Following the visit, Xcel Energy will send you a custom kit of DIY items. The visit is $25 but this can be earned back by installing the DIY items and completing the short follow-up visit with a technician.

LED Lighting

LEDs, especially ENERGY STAR®-qualified products, use at least 75% less energy and last up to 25 times longer than the traditional incandescent bulbs they replace. Xcel Energy has teamed up with participating retailers to bring you special discounts. Take advantage of the savings at Xcel Energy’s website, or have your whole home retrofitted for free as part of an Home Energy Squad visit.

Refrigerator Recycling

Try a safe, helpful way to get rid of that old, still-functional fridge or freezer. If you’re an Xcel Energy electricity customer, they’ll come pick it up and recycle it for free and give you a $50 rebate. Learn more about Refrigerator Recycling or call 866-552-8755 to schedule your pickup.

High Energy Saving Upgrades

Below are some high energy saving upgrades available for residents.

Insulation and Air Sealing

You could be wasting up to 20% of the energy used to heat and cool your home through air leakage and poor insulation. That's about the same amount of energy wasted as leaving a window wide open all year long. Cash back rebates from Xcel Energy help with the initial cost of upgrades to improve and maintain the comfort of your home while also saving money over time when you use less energy to heat and cool your home. Learn more about Insulation and Air Sealing through Xcel.

Heating and Cooling Efficiency

Heating and cooling your home can account for 50% of your energy bill. Xcel Energy can help you save through rebates for all-electric heat pumps, high efficiency air conditioning and furnaces.

If your natural gas furnace is on its last legs, consider going electric! Upgrading to an air source heat pump delivers up to three times more heat than the electricity it consumes. You can receive up to $800 for upgrading your heating and cooling system to an ASHP. To learn more about other heat pump rebate options, visit Xcel Energy’s Heating and Cooling site.

Water Heater Rebates

Earn a Water Heater Rebate on a high-efficiency natural gas or electric water heater that can help you save energy and money. Water heaters are typically your second largest energy consumer in your home, and they typically consume 18% of the energy you use.

Time to upgrade your water heater? All-electric heat pump hot water heaters (HPWH) can use 50% less energy and produce 77% fewer emissions compared to conventional gas-powered water tanks.

Renewable Energy Opportunities

Programs that reduce your carbon footprint

Net Metering

Offset your electric consumption by using what you need and get money back for the excess electricity generated from your on-site solar system using a single net meter.

Windsource®

Windsource® allows customers to get more or all their energy from renewable resources. Your Windsource subscription offers flexible enrollment and requires no equipment installation.

Renewable*Connect®

Access renewable energy for your home at a low cost with more price certainty. This program is designed to offer flexible terms and subscription levels with easy enrollment and no equipment installation required.

Programs that reduce carbon emissions globally

Solar*Rewards®

Solar*Rewards® is your opportunity to have solar installed at your home. Reduce your electric bill by going solar and get paid to sell the Renewable Energy Credits too. When the system produces more solar energy than is needed, the extra energy is added to the grid. Any excess is held in your virtual solar bank for use in future months.

Solar*Rewards Community®

Add more renewable energy to your community by supporting the development of nearby solar gardens without the hassle of installing solar panels on your home. Once subscribed to Solar Rewards Community, customers will begin receiving credits on their monthly electric bill for the solar energy and the Renewable Energy Credits that their subscription contributes to the Xcel Energy grid.