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Save Energy and Money: Smart Upgrades for Your Denver Home
April 29, 2025
by Partner Colorado Credit Union
Living in the Denver Metro Area means enjoying beautiful views and a climate that ranges from chilly winters to sunny summers. All those weather shifts can take a toll on your utility bills, but the good news is there are smart, energy-efficient upgrades you can make to your home that not only reduce your energy usage, but also help you save money year-round. Here are some of the most effective energy-efficient upgrades for Denver homeowners.
Denver winters can be cold, and without proper insulation, your heating system works overtime. Start by checking your attic insulation. The U.S. Department of Energy recommends homes in Colorado have attic insulation rated at R-49 to R-60. Adding insulation is one of the most cost-effective ways to improve energy efficiency, keeping warm air inside during the winter and hot air out during the summer.
Bonus Tip: Don’t forget to seal up any gaps around windows, doors and your basement or crawl space. Caulking and weather-stripping are low-cost improvements that pay off quickly.
If your home still has older single-pane windows, upgrading to ENERGY STAR® certified double- or triple-pane windows can make a big difference. They help reduce heat loss in the winter and block out heat in the summer, improving comfort while lowering your energy bills.
Local Perk: Denver residents may qualify for rebates or tax credits when installing energy-efficient windows. Check with local utility companies like Xcel Energy or visit EnergySmartColorado.com for programs in your area.
A programmable or smart thermostat can automatically adjust the temperature in your home based on your schedule. In the Denver area, where temperatures can swing significantly between morning and night, this can help you save energy without sacrificing comfort.
Some models even use weather forecasts to optimize heating and cooling schedules. You can control them from your smartphone, giving you more flexibility and insight into your energy usage.
If your HVAC system is more than 10–15 years old, it might be time for a replacement. Modern high-efficiency systems use far less energy than older models. Look for systems with high Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio (SEER) and Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency (AFUE) ratings.
Financing Tip: Partner Colorado offers HELOCs (Home Equity Lines of Credit) that can help cover the cost of these major upgrades with competitive rates, flexible terms and no closing costs.* Plus, you can use our HELOC Rewards card to access the available credit in your HELOC as you make purchases for your home upgrade projects.
Switching to LED bulbs throughout your home can significantly reduce your electricity usage. Also, when it's time to replace appliances, choose ENERGY STAR® rated models. From refrigerators to washing machines, these appliances are designed to use less water and electricity.
With more than 300 sunny days a year, Denver is a great place to consider solar panels. While the upfront cost can be high, tax incentives and financing options can make solar more accessible. You can also check with your local utility company to see if they offer any incentive programs. Solar panels can significantly reduce or even eliminate your electric bill, so if you’re planning to stay in your home long-term, it might be worth looking into.
Energy-efficient upgrades not only lower your utility bills, but they can also increase your home’s value and reduce your environmental impact. Whether you’re looking for simple fixes like insulation or planning a bigger project like solar panels or a new HVAC system, Partner Colorado is here to help you finance your goals with smart solutions like a HELOC.
*No closing costs in most cases. An upfront appraisal fee of $450.00 may be required at member expense on loans greater than $75,000 or loan-to-value exceeding 70%. Refinancing a present loan held by Partner Colorado Credit Union is excluded from this offer. Closing costs include settlement fees, flood determination fee, title search, government fees and recording charges, taxes, and when required, appraisal fees, title insurance and any fees associated with condominium properties; no closing costs on HELOC subject to change anytime without notice. For loan amounts up to $250,000, closing costs typically range between $250 and $1,800. Closing costs depend on the location of the property, property type and the amount of the Equity Line.
Upgrade Your Insulation
Denver winters can be cold, and without proper insulation, your heating system works overtime. Start by checking your attic insulation. The U.S. Department of Energy recommends homes in Colorado have attic insulation rated at R-49 to R-60. Adding insulation is one of the most cost-effective ways to improve energy efficiency, keeping warm air inside during the winter and hot air out during the summer.Bonus Tip: Don’t forget to seal up any gaps around windows, doors and your basement or crawl space. Caulking and weather-stripping are low-cost improvements that pay off quickly.
Install Energy-Efficient Windows
If your home still has older single-pane windows, upgrading to ENERGY STAR® certified double- or triple-pane windows can make a big difference. They help reduce heat loss in the winter and block out heat in the summer, improving comfort while lowering your energy bills.Local Perk: Denver residents may qualify for rebates or tax credits when installing energy-efficient windows. Check with local utility companies like Xcel Energy or visit EnergySmartColorado.com for programs in your area.
Switch to a Smart Thermostat
A programmable or smart thermostat can automatically adjust the temperature in your home based on your schedule. In the Denver area, where temperatures can swing significantly between morning and night, this can help you save energy without sacrificing comfort.Some models even use weather forecasts to optimize heating and cooling schedules. You can control them from your smartphone, giving you more flexibility and insight into your energy usage.
Consider a High-Efficiency HVAC System
If your HVAC system is more than 10–15 years old, it might be time for a replacement. Modern high-efficiency systems use far less energy than older models. Look for systems with high Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio (SEER) and Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency (AFUE) ratings.Financing Tip: Partner Colorado offers HELOCs (Home Equity Lines of Credit) that can help cover the cost of these major upgrades with competitive rates, flexible terms and no closing costs.* Plus, you can use our HELOC Rewards card to access the available credit in your HELOC as you make purchases for your home upgrade projects.
Upgrade to LED Lighting and Energy-Efficient Appliances
Switching to LED bulbs throughout your home can significantly reduce your electricity usage. Also, when it's time to replace appliances, choose ENERGY STAR® rated models. From refrigerators to washing machines, these appliances are designed to use less water and electricity.
Explore Solar Energy Options
With more than 300 sunny days a year, Denver is a great place to consider solar panels. While the upfront cost can be high, tax incentives and financing options can make solar more accessible. You can also check with your local utility company to see if they offer any incentive programs. Solar panels can significantly reduce or even eliminate your electric bill, so if you’re planning to stay in your home long-term, it might be worth looking into.Energy-efficient upgrades not only lower your utility bills, but they can also increase your home’s value and reduce your environmental impact. Whether you’re looking for simple fixes like insulation or planning a bigger project like solar panels or a new HVAC system, Partner Colorado is here to help you finance your goals with smart solutions like a HELOC.
*No closing costs in most cases. An upfront appraisal fee of $450.00 may be required at member expense on loans greater than $75,000 or loan-to-value exceeding 70%. Refinancing a present loan held by Partner Colorado Credit Union is excluded from this offer. Closing costs include settlement fees, flood determination fee, title search, government fees and recording charges, taxes, and when required, appraisal fees, title insurance and any fees associated with condominium properties; no closing costs on HELOC subject to change anytime without notice. For loan amounts up to $250,000, closing costs typically range between $250 and $1,800. Closing costs depend on the location of the property, property type and the amount of the Equity Line.