Denver's RTD Sets the Standard in Hybrid Electric Buses

Denver's Regional Transportation District operates a fleet of 36 hybrid electric buses on the 16th Street Mall, each powered by a dual electric and compressed natural gas (CNG) engine. The buses have greater fuel efficiency and produce lower emissions than a typical diesel bus. It is one of the world's largest fleets of advanced heavy-duty alternative vehicles.

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Recycle Your Tree and Make a Difference

After the clock strikes 2012 and your ornaments are boxed away, help your tree sprout wings!  The City of Denver provides residents FREE Christmas tree recycling between January 3-13.  Just put your tree out for collection curbside.  In the spring, you can enjoy mulch for your garden made from Christmas trees across the city.  The mulch will be available at the May 5th FREE Mulch Giveaway and Compost Sale.  For more information, click here.

Denver Water Rules

Did you know more than 50 percent of summer water use is on landscapes? Follow Denver Water’s summer watering rules to reduce waste and save money.

In 2011 Denver Water will continue to enforce watering rules*, so please use water wisely.

• Lawn watering is NOT allowed between 10 a.m. and 6 p.m. — water during cooler times of the day.
• Water no more than three days per week.
• Do not allow water to pool in gutters, streets and alleys.
• Do not waste water by letting it spray on concrete and asphalt.
• Repair leaking sprinkler systems within 10 days.
• Do not irrigate while it is raining or during high winds.
• Use a hose nozzle with a shut-off valve when washing your car.

*Please note, there are some exceptions to watering rules and how the rules apply to gardening.

Check out the Denver Water Website for more information

Reduce Your Carbon Footprint and Help Save Our Planet

With temperatures going up across the globe, glaciers disappearing, and ocean levels rising scientist have developed a measure that shows how much of an impact each person has on the environment. You’ve probably heard the term “carbon footprint”, this is a measure of how much carbon is pumped into the environment based on the amount of energy an individual use.

In well established industrial societies the carbon footprint is much higher than it is in developing countries because industrial societies consume more coal, gas and oil; as an example data shows the United States consume 25% of the worlds energy. This means that our society has a massive carbon footprint.

For every electrical or gas powered device you use or ride in, you contribute to the worlds carbon footprint, this means taking a train, bus, car, boat, your lawnmower, hedge trimmer, leaf blower, refrigerator, range top, microwave oven, your home entertainment center, computer… Well you get the picture, all these systems and devices use energy that is derived mostly from carbon based fossil fuels and as such these energy source when burned produce CO2 and other pollutants that have a negative impact on the environment and our health.

We each also have a carbon footprint impact when we import goods from abroad, due to the fact that an entire infrastructure that consumes massive amounts of energy needs to be created to transport those goods. That’s why it’s always best to buy locally, especially the foods you eat., besides it’s fresher and helps the local economy.

So Here Are A Few Tips To Help You Reduce Your Carbon Footprint

Turn off unused electrical devices like home entertainment systems, computers and peripherals using smart power saving power strips.

Determine which appliances like your refrigerator, washer, air conditioner… are energy consuming monsters using an Home Energy Monitor and follow recommended manufactures instructions to help these devices operate more efficiently or replace them with higher efficiency models.

Insulate your home and caulk cracks and crevices, this well save you energy in the winter months by keeping the heat in as well as during the summer by keeping the heat out and preventing your cool air from leaking out of your home. Change your windows or use a high R rated film to minimize infrared infiltration during the summer which causes you air conditioner to work harder.

Recycle, Recycle, Recycle! It takes far less energy recycle used products than it does to excavate the raw materials to build new ones. Stop buying bottle water, plastic bottles are made from oil and consume large amounts of energy to produce; on top of that they are harmful to the environment as they do not breakdown over time like organic materials do.

It has also been found the water bottled in plastic containers for an extended period can leach chemicals from the plastic into the water. So while you think you’re drinking healthy fresh water you’re not, buy a quality water filter instead and use a glass or stainless steel vessel to store and consume your water from.

Check out this blog to see the whole article and learn more about our carbon footprint and what we can do to make a difference.

Energy Saving Tip

Wash clothes in cold water. As much as 85 percent of the energy used to machine-wash clothes goes to heating the water.

Is There Really a Payoff for doing Energy Saving tricks?

Yes. And Nikki Blessinger knows it. She is the editor of Xcel Energy's Energy e-Magazine and wrote an article on the benefits of saving energy, and saving money wasn't the only one. Follow the link at the end of the article to see Xcel Energy's energy saving video with other great tips and tricks.

Each month, I have the honor of communicating with nearly a million people served by Xcel Energy. Often I receive thank-you notes on the info, tips, rebates, etc. provided viaYour Energy e-Magazine. Occasionally, I receive some not-so-complimentary emails from readers who are frustrated with rate increases and who dismiss our energy efficiency programs as "smoke and mirrors."

Frustration over price increases is a normal, and I would argue, healthy response. We see prices increasing constantly for gasoline, milk and just about anything that requires energy to produce. I guess the question that remains in some minds, is whether or not the practice of taking energy-saving steps in your home or business really pays off. While it would be great if you took my word for it, I think it would be even better for me to share the experiences some of our readers were kind enough to share .   Letter from the Your Energy Mail Box Hello Xcel Energy....Just wanted to let you know about something we did in our new home that seems to have paid off immediately. Last October, my wife and I moved into a 20-year-old home. We got an idea from the office we work in to install motion-sensor light switches in key areas of the home. We put one in the kitchen, one in the hallway and one in the master bathroom. One of the nice features of these switches is that you can also adjust the daytime light sensitivity so the lights don't come on with motion unless the ambient room light is low (near sundown). After just one month our kilowatt hour usage dropped by 100 kWh. It seems feasible that the motion-sensor switches are the main reason for the reduced electricity use. The switches are also adjustable as to how long they stay on after they stop sensing motion. We paid about $18 for each switch and they are easy to install. Sincerely,  Phil from Colorado Comfort Is a Big Payoff And here's a note from another customer, Roy Schewe, who requested an energy audit and as a result made home improvements through Xcel Energy's Home Perfomance with ENERGY STAR(R) program. Here's the note from Mr. Schewe: Utilizing incentives from the Xcel Energy Home Performance program, we bought an ENERGY STAR thermostat. We did the air sealing and added insulation to the attic and replaced all the light bulbs in the house with CFLs. We also sealed up and insulated the crawlspace. Our house is MUCH more comfortable, both in hot and cold weather. We noticed that we didn't need to run the air conditioner as often and the same goes for the furnace. The kitchen floor no longer requires us to wear slippers in the winter! The Good, the Bad, the Energy Efficient There is good news and bad news on the horizon. The bad news, energy prices will most likely continue to rise. The good news, there are many things we all can do to keep our energy bills as low as possible and help improve the comfort of our homes. Following is a list of websites that can help:  Resource Guide to Energy Efficiency ENERGY STAR Energy Savvy for Minnesotans Recharge Colorado ResponsibleByNature.com Tax Incentives for Energy Efficiency Xcel Energy Rebate Programs Email me with your comments (yes - even the less-than-cheery ones) and stories.    Nikki Blessinger, a.k.a. Nikki B. Energy Vampire Slayer is the editor of Your Energy e-Magazine. Currently in a self-prescribed 10-step program for energy addiction, Nikki is on a personal mission to help people like her change their energy-using ways. Click here to see the article and Xcel Energy video

GES is a trusted Snugg Home Colorado Contractor

Green Energy Solutions is a trusted Snugg Home Contractor. Check out Snugg Home Colorado's website.

Great News For Denver

The Mile High Million Launches Trees for Energy Savings program: Click here for article.

Check out Denver's first LEED Gold School

More pictures and Information HERE

Be Green When You Clean

Green Cleaning: Learn how to clean your home with Green products you can make yourself.

Thumbtack.com

Need more information on attic insulation and air sealing? Not a problem. Thumbtack.com has made Green Energy Solutions GOLD members on their site and is full of useful information, customer reviews, and FAQs.


Check out our Thumbtack Page!