GRAND JUNCTION TOOK CHARGE! IN THE SUMMER OF 2011

This summer, Groundwork Colorado partnered with the City of Grand Junction and NCCC AmeriCorps members to conduct Take Charge! canvasses in Grand Junction, Clifton, Palisade, Fruita and Redlands. The AmeriCorps members, working for The Grand Valley Efficiency Alliance, offered Mesa County residents the Red Door Challenge: save 25% on utility bills, reduce home energy use, and make homes safer, more comfortable and more durable. To find out more about the Challenge, go to www.reddoorchallenge.com.

Two  homeowners, Ruth and Robert Michels, wanted to share their experience with the Red Door Challenge.

The first step was a comprehensive home energy analysis to pinpoint areas in the house where energy leaked out. Based on that, a team of local energy service providers recommended home improvements, and even helped finance the project. 

The improvements helped the Michels save 32% on their energy bills. The house emits 41% less Carbon Dioxide and 37% less Nitrogen Oxides. With fewer emissions, the Michels family has a cleaner, healthier environment to call home. 

Ruth and Robert’s house was plagued with leaky doors and uninsulated walls that drove energy prices up but left the house freezing cold. The couple had already replaced most of the windows in the home and added foam insulation to the exterior walls, but their energy bills were still high, and the home was still uncomfortable. “You shouldn’t have to wear furry slippers 24/7 in your home, but the floors are just so cold,” Ruth said.