EnergySmart offers home, business owners unprecedented energy-efficiency services

Boulder County, Colo. – Boulder County and the cities of Boulder and Longmont have debuted innovative energy-efficiency services for Boulder County homes and businesses, called EnergySmart: Your Efficiency Solutions.

The EnergySmart team unveiled the program’s unique service elements, pilot customer testimonials and brand identity on Jan. 25 at a launch celebration attended by local government representatives and county residents.

EnergySmart services are available to all Boulder County residents and businesses. Details and sign-up information are available at www.EnergySmartYes.com.

Energy Advisor handles details
A key EnergySmart service feature is the assigned, dedicated Energy Advisor for each customer. The advisor handles many details of implementing efficiency projects, such as identifying and prioritizing efficiency opportunities, selecting a contractor, filling out rebate paperwork, and securing financing.

EnergySmart began a pilot phase in October and has already provided service to 301 homes and 205 businesses. During this time, contractors implementing the services have listened to customer feedback and fine-tuned processes.

“I’m hopeful that residents all over Boulder County will take advantage of EnergySmart services. No one wants to waste energy, and we all want to save money,” said Boulder Mayor Susan Osborne, an EnergySmart pilot participant. “My Energy Advisor helped me discover and prioritize energy-efficiency upgrades in my own home, and he’s been back to help when I need more guidance picking out a contractor or filling out a rebate form.”

Rebate funding available
EnergySmart funds help reduce service cost and provide financial incentives for efficiency upgrades, supplementing rebates currently offered by the cities of Longmont and Boulder, the State of Colorado, and Xcel Energy.

While residential rebate funds last, homeowners implementing recommended projects will receive an additional limited-time residential rebate of up to $250. Homeowners may also leverage low-interest micro-loans of up to $3,000 for efficiency projects.

EnergySmart services also provide special benefits for businesses. More than 30 businesses across Boulder County are already taking advantage of cost savings rebates, and hundreds are receiving assistance from business Energy Advisors. While funds last, businesses can receive rebates of up to $5,000 for lighting. A second round of rebate opportunities will be launched in April.

“There’s never been a better time – or a better way – for the people of Boulder County to cut energy waste and make their homes and businesses more comfortable,” Boulder County Commissioner Will Toor said. “In addition to providing better access to energy efficiency services, EnergySmart will also produce jobs for our local economy. It’s a win-win.”

Grant awarded to break down barriers
EnergySmart is funded by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act through the U.S. Department of Energy’s BetterBuildings grant program, and is sponsored in partnership by the cities of Boulder and Longmont, and Xcel Energy. The $25 million grant was awarded to Boulder County, the City and County of Denver, Garfield County and the Denver Regional Council of Governments. Boulder County has been allotted $12 million of the grant and will utilize additional contributions from Longmont and Boulder.

The Department of Energy awarded the grant based on a proposal to deliver innovative service design and implementation elements that overcome historic barriers to energy efficiency. These services also create and retain jobs in energy related sectors.

For many homeowners and businesses, barriers include inconvenience, time commitment, coordinating contractors, rebate paperwork, and out-of-pocket cost. The benefits of energy-efficient building upgrades include reduced energy waste, increased comfort, and a hedge against future energy rate increases.

The Boulder County Residential Energy Efficiency Service (“EnergySmart”)  is seeking, on an ongoing basis, home performance contractors with a passion for helping homeowners save money and energy and who are interested in working with EnergySmart to deliver the best in insulation and air-sealing, energy efficiency/renewable energy equipment and retrofit services.  Boulder County is very excited to be launching this new and innovative service.

We need organizations and people who:

· Believe in doing the job right the first time

· Have a passion for helping homeowners

· Hold themselves and others to the highest standards for performance and ethics

· Can work to help us build a service that evolves and improves over time

EnergySmart can only succeed if we have a solid base of quality contractors. Our mutual success is based on achieving solid, cost effective energy and greenhouse gas savings for the maximum number of Boulder County homes.

Submittals will be reviewed by a selection committee comprised of representatives from Boulder County and others to evaluate each response to this SOQ.  See attached full document below.

EnergySmart, Contractor SOQ

U.S. Department of Energy Secretary Steven Chu today announced that states and territories across the country have now weatherized more than 300,000 low-income homes under the Recovery Act, a major milestone in the Department’s efforts to reduce home energy bills for families. This means that states are now more than 50 percent of the way toward meeting President Obama’s goal of weatherizing approximately 600,000 homes under the Recovery Act. The weatherization program is helping families save money on their energy bills by improving home energy efficiency with upgrades like insulation, air-sealing, and more efficient heating and cooling systems. The program has also trained a new generation of clean energy workers and is employing more than 15,000 workers nationwide.

Full story

Populus has immediate openings for energy efficiency consultants to serve as Energy Advisors for Boulder County’s EnergySmart service.  Applicants must have excellent customer service skills, some familiarity with residential construction or energy efficiency and be very organized and detail-oriented.  Candidates should have at least a bachelor’s degree, which does not need to be in a related field.  While a background in building science is preferred, training may be provided in this area for otherwise qualified candidates.

Energy Advisors provide assistance and expertise to homeowners regarding energy upgrades to their homes.  This position includes installation of some quick energy efficiency items, such as light bulbs and thermostats, review of energy audit reports with homeowners and assistance identifying rebates and available financial incentives.

This is a full time hourly position -  pay is commensurate with experience.  This position is eligible for benefits including health insurance, paid time off and other employee benefits.  All applicants will be subject to a criminal background check and must have an acceptable driving record.

To apply, please provide a resume and cover letter to Hannah Bulick at Populus: hannah.bulick@popboulder.com

Due to the high volume of resumes we receive, we ask that you please refrain from contacting Populus by phone or email to inquire about the status of your application.  If Populus decides to move forward with your application, Populus will contact you within two weeks of receiving your application to arrange for an interview.

EnergySmart Contractor/Auditor Quarterly Jobs Reporting Form