Energy tips and practical fixes from local experts

With colder nights arriving on the Western Slope, White Star Electric and Housing Resources of Western Colorado shared practical, affordable ways to make homes more energy efficient before winter hits.

Both emphasized one consistent message: Start with the simple, high-impact fixes first, then consider the larger upgrades only if they truly pay off.

Start with the building envelope

“Insulation is huge. Button up your house,” said Lee Eberhart, manager at White Star Electric LLC.

He explained that many winter comfort problems trace back not to high-end systems, but to poor air sealing.

“People underestimate how much energy loss comes from gaps around doors, windows and under sinks,” he said.

Mike Stout, an energy auditor with Housing Resources also pointed to air sealing as a key.

“You can have tons of insulation, but if you don’t have air sealing to go along with it, the insulation turns into a filter,” he said.

His team often finds leaks under kitchen and bathroom sinks, where plumbing passes through walls or floors, in attic and crawlspace transitions, and around exterior doors.

“Weather stripping and sealing those gaps keeps outside air from being pulled into the living space,” he said. “It’s one of the simplest and most effective things a homeowner can do.”

Easy and inexpensive energy fixes

Eberhart and Stout went through several low-cost upgrades that make a big difference right away.

“Make sure you have LED lighting,” Eberhart said.

He noted modern LED bulbs can now be adjusted for color temperature, allowing homeowners to choose warm or cool tones without losing efficiency. For rooms that are often left lit by accident, like garages, laundry rooms and pantries, Eberhart recommends occupancy switches that automatically turn lights on when you enter and off when you leave.

“It’s a big thing for energy savings,” he said.

Dimmers in living rooms and dining areas also help tailor light levels to what’s actually needed. 

Eberhart added another simple tip: Pay attention to phantom power use.

“Anything plugged into a wall is most likely using power whether it’s on or off,” he said.

Devices like chargers and cable boxes continue drawing electricity even when idle. He suggests using power strips that can be switched off when not in use. 

Hot water use is another overlooked area.

“Wash clothes in cold water, most detergents are made for it,” Stout said.

He also advises homeowners to set water heaters between 120 and 125 degrees Fahrenheit and to install low-flow showerheads and sink aerators to reduce the amount of hot water consumed daily.

As for windows, Stout said homeowners need to be realistic about payback with a limited budget.

“Windows can take 20 to 30 years to pay off,” he said. “Unless (the existing windows are) single-pane, you’re usually better off spending that money on insulation, air sealing.”

Stout mentioned using passive heat from the sun during the winter can really pay off. Open blinds and curtains during the day and close them up as close to air tight as possible during the night to capture and retain warmth. 

Crawlspaces and attics: hidden problem areas

According to Stout, the crawlspace and attic are among the most neglected parts of a home.

“Crawlspace floor insulation needs to be touching the floor, no air gap, plus air sealing,” he said.

When insulation hangs loosely at the bottom of floor joists, it’s not performing effectively.

He also emphasized attic air sealing to keep warm air from escaping into unheated spaces.

“Stopping that air before it gets into the thermal boundary makes a huge difference,” he said.

Electrician-specific tips

Eberhart offered several additional suggestions from an electrician’s perspective. For homeowners who want to monitor their electricity use, he pointed out new breaker panels with built-in displays, including one made by Leviton, allow users to see real-time energy data without surrendering control or privacy through a traditional smart meter.

“They’re not cheap,” he cautioned, “but once you can actually see what’s using power, you start changing habits.”

He said automatic blinds set on a timer to close at night and open during the day can help trap heat after sunset and capture solar warmth in the morning. His company wires homes for powered blinds and other energy-efficient systems.

“Even a little bit of passive solar heating adds up,” he said.

No-cost energy audits and weatherization

For those looking beyond DIY fixes, Housing Resources offers no-cost home energy audits and upgrades for lower-income qualifying residents through state and federal programs. 

“It’s about a half day on site to assess the home, attic, walls, crawlspace, heating, water heating, lighting, and we run it through software that tells us what will save the most,” Stout said. After an audit, crews typically complete the recommended insulation and air sealing work within two to four days, followed by an in-house inspection and sometimes a state quality check.

“We want to be sure every job gets done right,” he added.

Results homeowners have seen

The improvements can be dramatic. Stout recalled an 1884 Victorian home in Delta that had no insulation anywhere.

“We worked close to three weeks on that one,” he said. “Their bills dropped by over half, if not more.”

Another project in Montrose involved an elderly couple whose furnace ran nonstop to keep their home around 65 degrees.

“Once the walls, crawlspace and attic were insulated and air-sealed, the furnace barely kicked on,” he said. “They could set the thermostat to whatever temperature they wanted, and it held heat.”

For older or poorly insulated homes, he said, “Those results aren’t uncommon.”

Options for those who don’t qualify

For homeowners who don’t meet income qualifications, Energy Outreach Colorado’s CARE program helps households that have already received weatherization or earn just above the qualifying threshold.

Stout said Housing Resources of Western Colorado also has interest in developing a market rate audit program for residents who want a professional evaluation but don’t qualify for free services.

Stout concluded by encouraging residents to look for practical ways to reduce energy use, noting unnecessary consumption strains the power grid, and following even a few simple efficiency tips can benefit homeowners and the wider community.