CLICK HERE to fill out the application for the Income Qualified Program.
“This program is for households with incomes that are just a bit too high to qualify for the region’s other free weatherization programs such as LEAP,” said John-Ryan Lockman, Energy Programs Manager at Walking Mountains.
Depending on the needs of the home, energy upgrades could include furnace or boiler tune-up and safety check, insulation and air sealing, high-efficiency refrigerator, high-efficiency water heater, LED light bulbs, programmable thermostat and low-flow shower heads.
“Households won’t have to pay for any of these improvements if the energy coaches think they need to be upgraded or replaced,” Lockman said.
Walking Mountains’ energy coaches are ready to hear from you. Anyone interested in this new program should call (970) 328-8777 or visit energysmartcolorado.com to learn more and apply for the program. The energy coaches will also begin to contact households in neighborhoods from Vail to Dotsero in the coming weeks to schedule home visits.
“Our team of certified energy coaches will visit the home, spending about an hour evaluating the home for the most needed energy efficiency upgrades. After the visit, the energy coaches will coordinate with local contractors to carry out the upgrades,” Lockman said.
Funding for this new program is provided through a new initiative called CARE – Colorado’s Affordable Residential Energy program. Energy Outreach
Energy Outreach Colorado, the statewide nonprofit that helps low-income families and seniors pay energy bills, will handle the paperwork to make sure households qualify for the program.
“These energy efficiency upgrades mean these families and seniors are going to save on their utility costs, and that will trickle down to decisions about what food and medications they can afford,” said Luke Ilderton, Director of Energy Efficiency Programs for Energy Outreach Colorado.
“The upgrades will also make their home healthier and safer, giving them a more comfortable living environment, he added. Because the Eagle County program will leverage funding from energy utilities, it can help many more families,” Ilderton said.
In Pitkin and Garfield Counties, the Community Office for Resource Efficiency and CLEER offer a similar program to help income-qualified residents.
If you or someone you know could be eligible, contact The Energy Smart Colorado program at Walking Mountains Science Center for more information: (970) 328-8777 or eagle@energysmartcolorado.com.
HOUSEHOLD INCOME QUALIFICATION
80 percent of area median income for Eagle County
Family size and income range
1 person, up to $48,320
2 people, up to $55,200
3 people, up to $62,080
4 people, up to $68,960
5 people, up to $74,480
6 people, up to $80,000
7 people, up to $85,520
8 people, up to $91,040
Households can be tenants or homeowners, and can be families, couples, singles or seniors.
Learn more about Energy Smart Colorado.
About Walking Mountains Science Center
Walking Mountains Science Center’s mission is to awaken a sense of wonder and inspire environmental stewardship and sustainability through natural science education. Visit www.walkingmountains.org or call 970.827.9725 for more information.
Click here to learn more about the income qualified program.
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