In response to the article, “Xcel expects 12 percent rise in winter bills,” it is time to take a closer look at the issue of home heating. The quickest, cheapest, most effective way to confront rising energy
costs in Colorado is to increase home heating energy efficiency.

According our new report, “Building Solutions: Opportunities for Coloradans to Save Energy and Money through Efficient Home Heating,” if Coloradans weatherize their homes this winter by improving the insulation, replacing old windows with new energy-efficient models, and air sealing the outer shell of their homes; Colorado could save as much as 17 billion cubic feet of natural gas and 270 GWh of electricity. That represents roughly 4 percent of natural gas consumption statewide and
up to 20 percent of the average home’s heating consumption.

Additionally, switching to furnaces that meet stronger Energy Star combustion standards and incorporating high-efficiency fans would save these furnaces up to 20 percent of their natural gas consumption and up to 65 percent of their electricity consumption compared to a new
minimum-efficiency model furnace.

Since Xcel’s price increase follows a consistent trend, it is time for Coloradans to take action to reduce our own energy bills in the face of rising energy costs.

AARON SEGEL, Energy Associate
Colorado Public Interest Research Group
Denver

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