P12-Built-Environment

3. Built Environment

The built environment encompasses all of the manmade features in our surroundings, ranging from public buildings and infrastructure to homes. Based on the Chaffee County Greenhouse Gas Inventory Report, our built environment consumes over 30 percent of the energy used in Chaffee County, more than any other category. Buildings dominate this category with commercial and government buildings accounting for sixteen percent and residential buildings for fourteen percent.

As the largest consumer of energy in the county, the built environment offers the greatest opportunity for reducing energy consumption and saving money. Energy audits can identify and help prioritize specific projects like weatherization, energy-efficient appliance upgrades and renewable energy technologies.

Energy efficient equipment and conservation technologies pay for themselves in reduced energy costs, after which the savings translate into reduced expenses for local governments, businesses and residents. Renewable energy technologies also reduce energy expenditures and provide a potential source of revenue.

3.1 Energy Audits

Action
Conduct energy audits to identify energy-saving opportunities in buildings.

Implementation
Promote energy audits of all public buildings.

Support energy audits for commercial and residential buildings.

Pooling resources and developing strategic partnerships with local utility providers, the GEO and/or Southwest Conservation Corps offer cost-effective options.

3.2 Retrofit Buildings

Action
Promote retrofitting buildings for energy efficiency and renewable energy generation.

Implementation
Enhance planned upgrades to government buildings by implementing recommendations from energy audits.

Promote replacement of incandescent and halogen light bulbs with fluorescent and LED lights, possibly through retailer partnerships or rebates.

Promote replacement of T12 fluorescent lamps (magnetic ballast) with more efficient T8 fluorescent lamps (electronic ballast).

Promote use of ENERGY STAR appliances through bulk community buying.

Promote “smart” power strips to reduce phantom power drain.

Promote room occupancy sensors to control lighting and temperature in individual rooms.

Additional retrofit projects could include adding insulation, replacing old windows, installing ground source heat pumps, installing photovoltaic panels where appropriate, installing solar hot water equipment, using biomass for heat, installing combined heat/power equipment, and implementing other net-zero principles.

3.3 Weatherization Programs

Action
Continue working with the Northwest Colorado Council of Governments to facilitate weatherization assistance for low to middle-income residents.

Implementation
Encourage coordination among county agencies to get weatherization assistance for homes.

3.4 Outdoor Lighting

Action
Enhance existing outdoor lighting for energy efficiency.

Implementation
Identify opportunities to replace public outdoor lighting – including traffic signals, streetlights and parking lot lights – with more efficient lights.

In conjunction with lighting upgrades, consider retrofitting fixtures for “dark sky” downcast lighting to ensure efficient use of light and minimal light pollution.