Be an Energy Hero and Take the Challenge!

Sign up for the Garfield Clean Energy Challenge.

Step 1: Sign up to Take the Challenge

Step 2: Your Energy Coach will contact you about next steps and you'll be signed up for our monthly drawings and e-newsletter.

Step 3: Get your energy assessment and/or make your improvements. Click here to find a building analyst!

Step 4: Submit your completed rebate applications. Currently improvement rebates are only available to Glenwood Springs Electric Utility customers. Please call with questions! Rebates for energy audits are available county wide.

Step 5: Have fun. Challenge yourself and family or co-workers to keep saving energy!

Households from Parachute to Carbondale are invited to join the Garfield Clean Energy Challenge for Homes. It’s a countywide effort to save energy, save money and make homes more comfortable.

The Clean Energy Challenge for Homes offers:

• Entry into monthly drawings for great prizes
• Rebate for Home Energy Assessments—up to $300 through February 29, 2012!
• Bonus rebates up to $600 total for select energy efficiency upgrades

Current Rebates

Energy efficiency measure	Energy efficiency requirement	Rebate amount
Home energy audit	blower-door or infrared camera	100% of out-of-pocket costs up to $200 ($300 through February 2012)
Attic, exterior wall and/or cantilevered living space insulation; whole-home air sealing	Must meet building code levels	50% of project costs up to $500
High efficiency gas furnace	95% or higher AFUE	$500
High efficiency gas boiler	90% or higher AFUE	$500
Furnace or boiler tune-up and safety check	Proper maintenance standards	$75
Evaporative cooler	85% or higher media saturation effectiveness (Use Xcel Energy's list of qualifying equipment for their $500 rebate)	$500
Central air conditioning	SEER 16 or higher	$500
Water heater, tank or tankless	0.67 EF or higher	$100
Heat tape timer and/or sensor	timer only for plug-in system	$20
Heat tape timer and/or sensor Read the special report on heat tape	electrician installed	$200

The rules and fine print (updated November 14, 2011)

Who is eligible for rebates?

Households who have signed up to "Take the Challenge" and submit their Utility Data Release Form. Official owners of record of a residential property within Garfield County.
Landlords are welcome to apply for rental properties located within Garfield County.

What homes are eligible?

Single family homes, duplexes, triplexes, townhomes and multi-family units.
New construction is not eligible for these rebates.

Can I get more than one rebate?

Yes. Qualified homeowners can take one rebate per category. Combined total rebate for installed efficiency measures will be capped at $600.

Can I get the rebate money up front?

No. Rebates are paid as a reimbursement after you have had your home energy audit / assessment or have a contractor complete your home energy efficiency upgrade and after you can show proof of payment.

You may apply for all your rebates at once, or you may submit separate applications over time. Your rebate check will arrive 3 to 4 weeks after you submit your completed rebate form and documents.

Is there a guarantee I’ll get the rebate?

No. We encourage you to submit your rebate form as soon as possible after you have paid your contractor.

Does the rebate cover do-it-yourself projects?

No. You must hire a licensed contractor to carry out of these measures.
The one exception is the heat tape timer only for plug-in systems measure. You can install that yourself.

Can I also get a rebate from my electric or gas utility?

Yes. These rebates cover measures that are also eligible for rebates from most of the energy utilities serving Garfield County. Visit the Residential rebates and incentives page on this website and drill down to find the rebates you can apply for from your utility. You can also call an Energy Coach to make sure you are maximizing rebates.

Combined utility and Clean Energy Challenge rebates can go a long way in reducing your final out-of-pocket costs.

Who can do this work?

Energy audits: Xcel Energy and SourceGas customers can use the utility’s designated home energy rater. Holy Cross Energy customers can use the utility’s in-house auditor. Order your energy audit through the utility, and the utility will pay part of the cost. The Challenge for Homes will reimburse you for your remaining out-of-pocket costs.

Order a home energy audit from:

• Xcel Energy: (800) 895-4999 x 4
• SourceGas: (888) 212-5899
• Holy Cross Energy: (970) 945-5491

Homeowners can also use a free market BPI or HERS raters to do the home energy audit. Click here for a list of home energy auditors serving Garfield County.

Upgrades: Any licensed contractor can carry out this work. Please refer to contractor listings in the One Stop Shop > Contractor locator section at left.

What are the deadlines?

You must submit your signedand complete rebate application, contractor invoices, utility data release form and an IRS Form W-9 within 60 days after the work is complete. Exceptions may be made with pre-approval and at the discretion of the program managers.

Rebates are issued on a first-come first-serve basis.

Can I submit part of my paperwork and consider that a reservation for a rebate?

No. We will start to process your paperwork once we have received all required documents.

How do I get started?

Talk to an Energy Coach to get up to date information on what your utilities are offering and the best way for you to get started. 704-9200.

Home energy audit: Order a home energy audit from:

• Xcel Energy: (800) 895-4999 x 4
• SourceGas: (888) 212-5899
• Holy Cross Energy: (970) 945-5491

Homeowners can also use a free market BPI or HERS raters to do the home energy assessment. Find home energy auditors by clicking here. s

Home energy efficiency upgrades

Insulation and air sealing | Furnace or boiler upgrade
Furnace or boiler tune-up & safety check
Water heater | Evaporative cooler, AC | Heat tape timer

Call one or more licensed contractors for a bid, select your contractor and have them do the work.

Find licensed contractor listings in the One Stop Shop > Contractor locator section at left.

How do I get my rebate payments?

• After the work is complete, assemble the following documents:
  1. Clean Energy Challenge Rebate Application Form (download forms at top right of this page). These forms are specific to the type of work done.
  2. Invoice for the work done.
  3. Proof of payment: this can be shown by a contractor zero-balance invoice showing payment, receipts, online proof of credit card payment, and/or cancelled check.
  4. Your completed IRS Form W-9 (download blank form at top right of this page).
  5. Your completed Utility Data Release Waiver (download blank form at top right of this page).
  6. If required by building department, include building permit and final inspection report.
  7. If you sign a finance agreement with your contractor, please include a copy of that as well.

Two options: Apply by mail or e-mail

By mail: send the rebate form and copies of other required documents by mail to:

CLEER - Challenge for Homes
P.O. Box 428
Carbondale, Colo. 81623

By e-mail:
Scan the application form and othet required documents and submit to:

rebates@CleanEnergyEconomy.net

Either way, you will receive an e-mail or phone call confirming receipt of your documents.

If you do not receive a confirmation, contact
CLEER Energy Coach Rob Morey, 704-9200 or RMorey@CleanEnergyEconomy.net

Still have questions?

Contact a CLEER Energy Coach: (970) 704-9200 or rebates@CleanEnergyEconomy.net

Fine print

1. Rebate program is subject to change without notice and rebate offers may increase or decrease without notice.
2. CLEER, Garfield Clean Energy and Garfield County are not responsible for items lost or delayed in the mail, or any rebate delayed due to incomplete or incorrect rebate applications; are not responsible for any taxes that may be imposed as a result of your receipt of any rebate; and disclaim any and all liability, loss or damage that may arise as a result of the applicant’s or contractor’s participation in this program.
3. Please note that if you receive Dept. of Energy funds (managed by Garfield County) of more than $600 you will receive a 1099 from Garfield County.