How To Guide

Many utilities offer energy audits at very low cost, which is an excellent first step and will guide you towards the improvements that will have the most benefits. Insulation and air sealing are relatively low-cost improvements that can reduce your home’s energy use by as much as 20%, while also increasing your comfort by reducing drafts.

An energy audit may only cost $100 or less with utility rebates. Air sealing improvements may cost about $1,000 dollars and adding more insulation may cost $2,000 – $8,000, but rebates and tax credits will help cover some or most of these costs.

Heat pumps efficiently use electricity to both heat and cool your home,, reducing or eliminating your home’s reliance on gas or propane heating and significantly reducing the greenhouse gas and air pollutant emissions from your home. Installing a modern heat pump system will improve the air quality in your home and will keep the temperature in your home stable throughout the day. If your existing air-conditioning system is near the end of its life, if you would like to add cooling to your home, or if your furnace needs to be replaced, a new heat pump system could be a great solution. We recommend getting an energy audit before exploring your heat pump options because heat pumps provide the largest benefits in insulated and air-sealed homes.. (See “reduce energy use and improve comfort” tab above.)

A new heat pump system will cost about $3,000 more than replacing your central AC system, but rebates and state tax credits will cover most or all of this cost difference. To learn more about the most practical scenarios for installing heat pumps, and rebates and tax credits available, see the “more details” link below). To learn more about heat pumps, go here. (link to the Love electric/heating and cooling page)

If your existing water heater is more than 10-12 years old, replacing it with a HPWH could be a great solution. Heat pump water heaters (HPWHs) are very efficient and will significantly reduce your energy costs if your current water heater is either standard electric or propane. If your current water heater is a tanked gas system, a HPWH is likely to have comparable or slightly lower operating costs but will reduce your greenhouse gas emissions and produce no harmful combustion products.HPWHs cost about $2,000 more (total installation costs) than conventional water heaters (standard electric, propane, or gas). Rebates and state and federal tax credits will make up for some of that difference. However, if you are replacing a propane or gas water heater with a HPWH, you may need a new 220 Volt electrical circuit, which will add about $1,000 to the installation costs.

To learn more about heat pump water heaters, go here. For more details on rebates and tax credits available, go here (see “install a new water heater – more details” below.)

Cooking with electricity rather than gas or propane reduces greenhouse gas emissions and eliminates harmful indoor air pollutants such as nitrogen oxides, carbon monoxide, and formaldehyde. In addition, gas stoves can leak methane, which is a potent greenhouse gas and has been shown to frequently contain carcinogens like benzene. Modern induction ranges are increasingly affordable and provide a host of benefits when compared to gas ranges or older electric resistance cooktops. The benefits of induction include incredibly fast heating, precision heat control, easy cleaning, and advanced safety features.

A new induction range will cost several hundred dollars more than a gas or propane version. ebates and tax credits will offset some of this cost difference. If you are replacing a gas or propane range with electric, you may need a new 220 Volt electrical circuit, which will add about $1,000 to the total cost.

To learn more about induction cooking, go here. For information on utility rebates, go to your electric utility’s website. In addition, if your household income is below 150% of the area median income (AMI) for your county (which you can check here) you may qualify for an induction stove rebate of up to $840 through the Inflation Reduction Act Home Energy Rebates program administered by the Colorado Energy Office (this program is expected to launch in late 2024 or early 2025).

Buying a new electric vehicle (EV) or plug-in hybrid vehicle will reduce your greenhouse gas emissions from driving significantly and will allow you to conveniently “refuel” at home during off-peak hours when many utilities offer lower rates. If you want fast charging at home, you can install a dedicated EV charger and new 220 Volt circuit which will cost about $1,500 – $2,000. ebates and tax credits will cover some of those costs.

To learn more about electric vehicles and EV charging, go here. For more information on utility rebates, go to your electric utility’s website. Home EV charging is also eligible for a federal tax credit of 30% of installation costs, up to a maximum of $1,000.

Installing a solar PV system on your home or participating in a community solar program will reduce your monthly electricity costs and reduce your greenhouse gas emissions associated with your electricity use. Many utilities offer rebates for solar PV systems, and the Colorado Energy Office offers a low-interest loan program to help homeowners finance solar PV and other home energy improvements.

For more information on utility rebates, go to your electric utility’s website. New solar PV systems (installed after 2022) are also eligible for a federal tax credit of 30% of the installation costs.