Our appliances make life easier and help tackle the manual tasks of housework, but there’s a cost to this convenience. Many newer models are designed to be energy efficient, but why not take measures that will help you save even more energy and money?

1. Run a full load. Wash clothes and dishes with a full load only; partial loads waste energy and water. Load your dishwasher according to the manufacturer's instructions. Fill the racks completely to maximize water and energy use but allow for adequate water circulation to ensure clean dishes.
2. Stay cool and fresh. Set refrigerator and freezer thermostats at the recommended temperature settings: 37°F to 40°F for the refrigerator, and 5°F for the freezer. It will help optimize energy savings while keeping foods fresh.
3. Stock the fridge. A fully stocked unit uses less energy because there is less air to cool. Avoid overfilling; too many items packed together closely will reduce air circulation.
4. Keep your dryer dry. Clean the lint filter after each dryer load; this will increase air circulation and improve dryer efficiency. Inspect your dryer vent periodically to ensure that it's not blocked.
5. Air your clean laundry. When doing laundry, why not air-dry your clothes? It will reduce energy costs, and it may help to keep clothes looking new.
6. Get cooking efficiently. Use your microwave or toaster oven rather than the stovetop or oven. These smaller appliances often heat food more quickly, while using less energy. If you do use the stovetop, match the pan size to the burner size, and cover pots and pans.

Boost your Savings with an Energy Smart Rebate

Looking to upgrade to more efficient appliances? Replace older appliances with new ENERGY STAR®-certified efficient models. These products are the best of the best, delivering cutting-edge energy efficiency along with the latest in technological innovation.

United Power members can boost their savings with rebates on a variety of ENERGY STAR® and select efficient electric appliances. View the complete menu of Energy Smart Rebates to reduce the cost your new appliance purchase.

Groundbreaking Pilot to Leverage Energy from Oil and Gas Wells to Generate Dispatchable Power

Denver and Brighton, Colo. – Transitional Energy, a geothermal development company, joined Brighton-based United Power to announce that they have signed a Letter of Intent to develop a dispatchable energy pilot program. The program will focus on geothermal resources from oil and gas operations located in the electric cooperative’s service territory.

United Power provides electric service to multiple oil and gas operations in Colorado’s DJ Oil Basin. Transitional Energy’s program will use geothermal energy to generate dispatchable baseload electric power. The program may be used with both operational and abandoned wells to capture and convert what would otherwise be waste geothermal energy to electricity.

Many oil and gas operators use traditional electric service to power drilling rigs and other well pad equipment. Through this partnership, United Power and Transitional Energy will be able to provide a unique solution that can convert oil and gas operations using traditional electric service to facilities powered by up to 100% geothermal resources. Owner-operators of wells in the United Power service territory would work directly with Transitional Energy to utilize the technology to offset their energy purchases while reducing their greenhouse gas footprint.

Transitional Energy was founded in Colorado and is partially funded by a grant from the Colorado Office of Economic Development and International Trade. Taking advantage of the team’s oil and gas expertise as well as emerging advancements in Organic Rankine Cycle technology for heat recovery, Transitional Energy will tap into the geothermal potential of thousands of wellbores within the DJ Basin. Reuse of existing wells and infrastructure is a capital-efficient way to use the heat beneath our feet. This pilot program compliments the many innovative energy investments United Power has made in renewable energy projects in its territory.

“United Power is excited to work on this innovative pilot project,” stated Dean Hubbuck, United Power’s Chief Energy Resources Officer. “Utilizing clean, economical geothermal energy to provide local power that can be dispatched when needed is a critical component of our growing energy portfolio. Geothermal energy represents a huge untapped renewable resource that can reduce our reliance on power from other traditional sources.”

About Transitional Energy

Transitional Energy is a geothermal development company based in Denver. The company is majority women owned and Native led. With deep expertise in subsurface engineering, facilities engineering and geology, Transitional Energy is passionate about a clean energy future and utilizing existing oil and gas wells and infrastructure to generate geothermal energy. Learn more at www.transitionalenergy.us.

About the United Power

United Power is a member-owned, not-for-profit electric cooperative, delivering electricity to homes, farms and businesses throughout Colorado’s northern front range. The cooperative is one of the fastest-growing electric cooperatives in the nation, and in June 2021 joined the elite ranks of cooperatives serving more than 100,000 meters. The 900-square mile service territory extends from the mountains of Coal Creek and Golden Gate Canyon, along the I-25 corridor and Carbon Valley region, to the farmlands of Brighton, Hudson, and Keenesburg. United Power is also a founding member of the NextGen Cooperative Alliance, dedicated to expanding the power supply and procurement options and reforming the traditional generation and transmission business model. For more information about the cooperative, visit www.unitedpower.com or follow them on social media Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, YouTube and Instagram.

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Marshall Fire Reveals Urban Fire Threat; March 6 Seminar to Cover Fire Safety & Preparedness

Historic wildfires have devastated large parts of Colorado and its neighboring states over the past few years. However, the Marshall Fire in late December opened our eyes to the reality that wildfires are not simply a threat for our mountain communities. Given the right conditions, wildfires can spring up anywhere and quickly become uncontrollable.

The Marshall Fire erupted in eastern Boulder County before claiming nearly 1,000 homes and businesses in Boulder, Superior and Louisville, just miles from Denver and even closer to United Power members living in Coal Creek Canyon and Carbon Valley.

United Power has made significant investments in system improvements and upgrades to mitigate the potential for fires off its power lines, particularly in its own mountain communities. With multiple strong wind storms in December, including the storm that fueled the Marshall Fire, those system improvements have more than shown their value to members in both reliability and safety. The cooperative has also provided additional resources members can use to help mitigate the threat of wildfires on their own property, such as how to create “defensible space,” referring to the strategic removal of vegetation that could create a bridge for fire to pass over.

In March, the Firestone Free Thinkers 4-H Club, in partnership with United Power, is hosting a free one-hour fire safety and disaster preparedness training, presented by the Frederick-Firestone Fire Protection District and the Carbon Valley Emergency Management Agency. The training will discuss how to pack a “go kit” in case of an emergency, how to create defensible space, the difference between evacuations and shelter-in-place and hazards in Carbon Valley.

Fire Safety & Disaster Preparedness Training

FREE 1-HOUR EVENT. NO RSVP REQUIRED. 

Where:
United Power Carbon Valley Service Center
9586 E I-25 Frontage Rd, Longmont

When:
March 6, 2022 @ 3:00 p.m.

Contact:
CV Emergency Management, 720-526-6594
www.fffd.us/227/emergency-management