Project Also Provides Alternate Energy Option for Emergency Management

Brighton, CO - United Power, partnering with the Gilpin County Office of Emergency Management, placed a 625-kw diesel generator on the Gilpin County School District campus. The generator was installed as a safety enhancement to serve both the school and community members in the mountain territory.

“United Power is excited to partner with Gilpin County on this key project for community members adjacent to the school district campus,” stated Dean Hubbuck, United Power’s Chief Energy Resource Officer. “Completing the project prior to the winter season should provide security and peace of mind to the residents in the area and provide a much-needed resource in the event of an extended power interruption.”

In the event of power outage, Gilpin County is required to notify parents and send students home because the school district doesn’t have a back-up power option. The installation of the generator alleviates concerns for school administration officials and parents of students. Additionally, the generator can provide a longer window of service with abbreviated services at the school, allowing Emergency Management to activate the site as an emergency warming center during an extended power outage in the area.

United Power upgraded existing infrastructure to ensure the generator can provide power to the entire school campus, including school buildings, gym facilities, the bus barn, water storage and delivery systems, pumping stations and the Eagles’ Nest Daycare Center. The generator operates on Tier 4 Diesel, with is an ultra-clean, low sulfur fuel and incorporates advanced emission reduction technologies, which exceeds state requirements for emission levels.

The cooperative will hold a ribbon cutting to celebrate the new generator on Friday, November 5 at 10 a.m. Members of the public are invited to attend and learn more about this addition and the enhanced safety benefits it will offer to the residents. Please click here to RSVP. 

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 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 (G&T) business model. For more information about the cooperative, visit www.unitedpower.com or follow them on social media Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, YouTube and Instagram.

United Power Recognizes Energy Efficiency Day on October 5

On October 5, United Power is joining more than 800 other organizations to celebrate National Energy Efficiency Day, a day to remember easy ways we can reduce our energy use and save money.

Energy efficiency simply means using less energy to perform the same tasks or eliminating energy waste. Being energy efficient protects our pocketbooks and the environment by lowering demand for energy and, by extension, greenhouse gas emissions.

If you’re a homeowner trying to manage your electric usage on a budget, energy efficiency may seem more fantasy than reality. Energy efficiency is often seen as an expensive and unobtainable goal for many homeowners, but it doesn’t have to be. Trimming your electric usage is as quick and simple as making a few modest behavior changes and a little investment in cost-efficient technology.

Here are some of the most common ways United Power members can ditch high energy bills and become more efficient in their daily energy usage. For some of our members who may want to go a step further in the journey toward energy efficiency, the article below demonstrates why an electric vehicle may be right for you.

10 Energy Efficient Tips

1. Make the Switch to LEDs. There’s been a strong push for the switch to LEDs for years, and for good reason. LEDs last up to 25x longer and consume 90 percent less energy.
2. Seal Those Leaks. Have you ever left a window cracked in the winter and realized how quickly the cold air can cool your home? Little leaks can be equivalent to leaving a 3 ft x 3 ft window open.
3. Install a Smart Thermostat. While an initially high investment, a smart thermostat will pay for itself over time by learning your routine and adjusting accordingly. You can even control it remotely. Members can also enroll in United Power’s Smart Rewards program to save even more. More info at Smart Rewards.
4. Heat & Cool Efficiency. Heating and cooling accounts for almost half your energy use. Don’t waste money on an empty home. Raising or lowering the temp on your thermostat also won’t compromise comfort.
5. Use a Ceiling Fan. Using a ceiling fan in combination with proper cooling will allow you to raise your thermostat by as much as 4 degrees without losing any comfort.
6. Maintain Your HVAC System. A dirty furnace has to work harder to move air. Don’t forget to change air filters during both heating and cooling seasons to keep energy costs low.
7. Look for the ENERGY STAR® Label. The label means this appliance is certified energy efficient. United Power also offers rebates on ENERGY STAR® refrigerators, dishwashers and washing machines.
8. Turn Off Electronics. Electronics on “standby” contribute to “vampire loads,” which is when a device draws energy even with it appears to be off. Turn off all idle electronics that aren’t in use.
9. The Sun is Key. In the winter, open curtains during the day to allow sunlight to naturally heat your home. In the summer, excess sunlight will make your A/C work harder, so keep those curtains closed.
10. Don’t Peak in the Oven. Opening the oven door while cooking or baking can cause the internal temperature to drop by as much as 25 degrees making it work harder to return to the right temperature and also affecting cooking times of your dinner or dessert.