The COVID19 pandemic has impacted many of our local small business members, and we wanted to take a moment to provide resources to help you. Whether you're operating with modified business practices or trying to re-open on a shoestring budget, your electric co-op is here to help connect you with information and to be your trusted energy advisor.

ENERGY INFORMATION & RESOURCES

As your electric provider, we are here to help you use your energy as efficiently as possible. Your electric bills shouldn’t be among the many challenges your business is facing right now, so here are some ways you can save energy and money.

• Tips to Help You Save During Downtime: Here are some helpful things to remember while you’re operating on reduced hours or services.
• Analyze Your Usage: Use the Power Portal to monitor your energy use and keep those bills down.
• Rate Analysis: Our Energy Management team can review your energy usage and make a rate recommendation.
• Virtual Energy Audit: We are practicing social distancing, but we are available to provide virtual energy audits. Now, more than ever, let us help you find ways to save on your energy costs.

FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE

If you’re a small business owner looking for relief, you may qualify for financial assistance through the following resources. In addition to these national and statewide organizations, your local cities and chambers of commerce may be able to help you navigate federal programs or secure local grants.

Local Colorado Resources for Small Businesses

• State of Colorado COVID Business Resource Center
• Help Colorado Now
• Colorado Enterprise Fund
• Adams County Small Business Stabilization Program
• Weld County Business Resources

National Resources for Small Businesses

• Small Business Administration (SBA)
• USDA Rural Development
• IRS Employee Retention Credit

PAYMENT OPTIONS & ASSISTANCE

We offer several convenient ways for you to pay your bills at a safe distance and may be able to assist you with your electric bill payments.

• Online & Mobile App: Pay online or with the United Power mobile app.
• Pay Now: We know you’re busy. Pay Now allows you to make a quick, secure payment online without a password. 
• Payment Kiosk: Still prefer to pay in person, or make a cash payment? Use one of our kiosks open from 5 am – 10 pm.
• Payment Arrangements & Co-op Cares Fund: If you are having trouble making your payments, please reach out to us. We can help schedule a payment arrangement and if you are economically impacted by the pandemic, you may qualify for an energy bill assistance grant from our Co-op Cares Fund.

United Power proudly stands with our locally owned small business members, and we are here to power you back into business. For energy information, expert advice, or billing questions, please reach out to us at 303-637-1300.

Summer is just around the corner. Although the spring has given us brief reprieves from winter weather, soon the summer heat will arrive. With more people expected to work from home this summer, temperatures might not be the only thing rising.

Your air conditioning is one of the most demand intensive appliances in your home, accounting for more than 15 percent of your total energy usage. This means members will begin to see their demand charge rise to include the use of this additional appliance. However, when United Power introduced its demand rate in January 2019, it also lowered the cost of energy – which means two things for members. 

Most members will not see a significant increase to their monthly bills despite January rate increases. With the decrease in cost of energy corresponding to the demand rate increase, bills should stay fairly level. The average increase for members on the standard residential rate when increases took effect was less than $2/month. Rate increases also gave members more control over their bills by allowing them to choose when to use appliances, keeping demand low and bills even lower. The graphic below demonstrates appliance stacking and how staggering their use can save on demand. 

United Power has also provided tools to assist members in monitoring and controlling their energy usage. The Power Portal, for example, provides a custom dashboard detailing energy usage patterns and identifying peak demand allowing members to determine what behaviors are driving their demand. The cooperative also launched a new demand calculator this year to give members an idea of what appliances are consuming the most energy and contributing to demand charges. With air conditioning being a main culprit during the summer, United Power also offers a rebate on energy efficient A/C units. 

The majority of summer energy efficiency tips revolve around creative ways to keep your home cool without overburdening your air conditioning. You can find some of these energy efficiency tips below. 

Review the United Power website more information about demand and available rebates.

Summer Energy Efficiency Tips

Although summer is still a few weeks out, it’s never too early to start thinking about how to use energy more efficiently. Summer utility bills can be higher, but with a little preparation, you can see big savings on your summer energy usage. 

Cross ventilate your home. Colorado’s mild climate makes cross ventilation a perfect way to cool your home without using excess energy. Cross ventilation uses wind moving through your home to cool it naturally rather than by using an appliance like your air conditioner. Simply open windows in the morning or evening to let the natural cool air in and turn off the A/C.

Block out the sun. Another way to keep your home cool and give your air conditioner a break is to close blinds or curtains. Open windows allow light in which warms the air causing the A/C to work harder to keep your home cool. Keeping blinds closed allows the air to warm more slowly. 

Use ceiling fans. Ceiling fans allow you to increase the temperature on your air conditioning unit by up to four degrees without any loss in comfort. They should be turning counterclockwise during the summer. But remember to turn them off when you leave a room. Fans don’t actually cool the air in a room, just the people. 

Use a smart thermostat. Smart thermostats learn your habits and can adjust your air conditioner accordingly. It also gives 24/7 access to your home’s heating and cooling. 

United Power introduced its new Member Choice Grants program earlier this year, asking members to nominate a nonprofit organization in its service territory they would like to see the cooperative help support.

Within the service territory, several of these organizations exist to provide for the needs of individuals and families and bring value to the communities they serve. These grant nominations allow United Power to provide support for causes and organizations members truly care about.

Nominations quickly began arriving, and it was clear members saw an immediate need to provide basic food supplies for their neighbors at this time. United Power is happy to announce the two organizations receiving the first $1,000 Member Choice Grants from the first round of nominations for 2020.

Carbon Valley Help Center

The Carbon Valley Help Center exists to help with the immediate needs of residents in their area, including food assistance and financial support. The grant will be used to help provide for the needs of its food pantry during the pandemic.

Fort Lupton Food & Clothing Bank

The mission of the Fort Lupton Food and Clothing Bank is to provide life sustaining food and clothing to people in need in and around the Fort Lupton community. Each year, the organization provides assistance to nearly 9,000 individuals.

Nominations are now open for the second round of Member Choice Grants, which will be announced in the next United Newsline. To submit a nomination, fill out a Member Choice Grant application and provide a brief reason why you feel the organization should receive the grant.