OLORADO LIVING
C
by Leigh Fortson
Western Region
According to Consumer
Reports, the nationwide
average cost of regular
gas in October 2007
was $2.87. Diesel was
$3.16. Since then, it has
fl uctuated dramatically,
reaching as high as $5.00
a gallon. Who knows what
tomorrrow will bring.
The non-profi t Smart
Energy Living Alliance
www.smartenergyliving.
org states that the average
house leaks 50-60 percent
of its conditioned air every
hour. Plus, an average
home is responsible for two
times as much pollution as
the average car.
Every step we can take
to conserve energy will
translate into saving
money. There are lots of
things you can do in your
home—you’ve probably
considered doing them
before. With hair-raising
fuel prices, your efforts
will pay off now more than
ever before.
First, think about having
a detailed energy audit
conducted on your home.
These audits can identify
the source of your home’s
greatest energy loss and
advise you about how to
fi x them. You may be
surprised that most air
leaks out from utility cut-
throughs for plumbing
pipes, gaps around
chimneys and recessed
lights, and unfi nished
spaces behind cupboards
and closets.
Fall 2008
Happenings on the Western Slope-Northwest Area
To fi nd a qualifi ed auditor:
•Go to the Residential Energy Services Network:
www.resnet.us/about/default.htm
•Conduct a do-it-yourself audit via the Governor’s
Energy Offi ce www.colorado.gov/energy/ or the
Smart Energy Living webpage: smartenergyliving.
org/Library/EnergyLogic.lowres.pdf
•The Department of Energy also has good
information: www.eere.energy.gov/consumer/
Meanwhile, follow these simple
suggestions provided by the
American Council for Energy
Effi ciency www.aceee.org.
These steps really do save energy, which means they really do save you money.
Turn off the lights even if you’re leaving a room for just a few minutes.
•
Use compact fl uorescent light bulbs (CFLs). Due to mercury contents,
•
dispose of them according to directions.
Purchase an