Community Energy Connections Performs 200th Audit

The CU Community Energy Connections Tier 1 Audit program, a program of the Environmental Center of the University of Colorado, has completed it 200th audit since June 2008 in Boulder County. Tier 1 audits are a basic home energy assessment sponsored for LEAP-assisted (Low Income Energy Assistance Program) Colorado residents by the Colorado Governor’s Energy Office. CU Community Energy Connections (CUCEC) provides Tier 1 audits for all of Boulder County. Auditors install compact fluorescent light bulbs, efficient showerheads, programmable thermostats, clotheslines, and carbon monoxide/smoke detectors as well as assess insulation levels in the wall and ceiling, evaluate efficiency of major appliances, and talk with clients about their energy use habits.
On Saturday, February 21 CUCEC student auditors completed their 200th audit in Boulder County. The program began in June 2008 with six student auditors completing about 10 audits per week and now employs 18 trained student auditors who complete an average of 20 audits per week between classes and other university activities. The student-auditors enjoy the chance to get off campus and into the community helping clients to take simple actions to reduce their energy bills and carbon footprints.
    The measures installed in each Tier 1 visit save each client an estimated average total of $140 in energy bills during the first year. In all Boulder County, residents served will save roughly $28,000 from their aggregate energy use reduction savings after one year. Energy savings for each home are estimated to reduce related CO2 emissions by an average 1824 tons after the first year. That’s a savings of over 52,000 pounds of CO2 in Boulder County after the first year and 263,000 pounds of CO2 after 5 years.
After their completion, Tier 1 assessments are passed on to Longs Peak Energy Conservation (LPEC), Boulder County’s Weatherization Agency, which also serves Larimer, Broomfield and Gilpin Counties. LPEC then provides further weatherization services to all qualifying Tier 1 clients; about 60% of CUCEC clients receive these services which include appliance replacement, improved insulation and weather stripping.