Did you know that Walking Mountain Science Center’s Energy Programs has helped local homes and businesses save $951,257 on their energy bills since the program began?  Learning how to be more energy efficient can save us all a lot of money, reduce our collective pollution, and is vital in helping us reach our county and state-wide climate goals for the future. In celebration of the economic and environmental benefits driven by energy efficiency improvements, the U.S. Senate passed a bill to officially make October 2nd Energy Efficiency Day! As much a celebration of the successes that have resulted from energy efficiency work in the U.S., this day was also pronounced in an effort to bring additional awareness to the importance of energy efficiency. What better way to bring awareness to this topic than through Sustainability Tips! By sharing tips, tools, and stories that have helped others save money and reduce their energy consumption, we can add to our economic and environmental successes while individually saving money, reducing pollution and breathing easier.  

So how has Walking Mountains Science Center’s Energy Programs helped our community save nearly $1 million? Our community science center houses and sponsors EnergySmartColorado and Colorado’s Affordable Residential Energy Program (CARE) for Eagle County. With the support of EnergySmartColorado’s tools and network, Walking Mountains’ staff are able to help local residents and business owners find the right equipment upgrades, apply for rebates, and ultimately reduce their energy bills. The Energy Team will walk through your home or business and help install the best energy saving devices while coaching you on best practices. Through the CARE program, staff works with income-qualified Coloradans to help increase comfort in the home, create safer and healthier living environments, and do all of this for the lowest price you will find in the valley: FREE! . Some of these services include upgrading appliances, air sealing and weatherizing residential units of all types, as well as greeting families in both English and Spanish. Walking Mountains’ Sustainability Programs is also hosting an energy efficiency workshop to reveal local opportunities for energy efficiency rebates and share energy saving ideas from local businesses’ electrical and natural gas utilities, mechanical maintenance service companies, and other energy experts in the field.

 Three tips to help you increase your energy knowledge and improve efficiency!

1. Celebrate Energy Efficiency Day! Join the growing list of participants who are committed to reducing their energy consumption. Learn what others are doing to lower their energy footprint or share how you are celebrating energy efficiency day through the official Energy Efficiency Day website:  https://www.energyefficiencyday.org. 
2. Take advantage of all that Energy Programs at Walking Mountains Science Center has to offer! Come by Walking Mountains Science Center in Avon to join the FREE Easy Energy Solutions Workshop on October 16th at 2pm. Here, you’ll learn about tools, resources, and easy solutions to help your family and your business on the way to energy efficient perfection! Visit https://www.walkingmountains.org/sustainability-hub/energy-efficiency-programs/ to learn more about other energy programs offered through Walking Mountains.
3. Switch to LEDs! LED light bulbs last 25 times longer and consume 90% less energy than incandescent bulbs. According to eneryefficiencyday.org, replacing five of your most-used bulbs with ENERGY STAR certified LEDs can save you up to $75 on energy costs annually.