SourceGas Colorado announces program to trim energy bills

MONTROSE — Consumers can pinch pennies by examining their home with an eye to energy efficiency, under the “Excess Is Out” program unveiled by natural gas distributors Monday.

SourceGas Distribution, which provides natural gas to homes in Montrose, partnered with Atmos Energy and Colorado Natural Gas to offer cost-saving programs to their customers.

The programs include energy audits, rebates on equipment and insulation and an income-eligible residential program. Larger gas users can also consider a custom program.

“We are looking for ways to partner with our customers to allow them to be more efficient and make the best use of our natural gas consumption,” Natalie Shelbourn, SourceGas spokeswoman, said Monday.

Homes can lose energy in unexpected ways: inadequate insulation, leaky windows, older appliances that don’t work correctly, or appliances not programmed correctly, to name a few.

That can cause waste of resource — as well as higher energy bills — but an energy audit can help.

SourceGas contracted with a company to conduct home-energy evaluations. Shelbourn said the typical cost to audit a home that’s less than 3,200 square feet is $200. SourceGas is offering a $100 rebate. Additional audit services can be arranged for additional costs, but are optional.

“They (homeowners) should get a real good feel for everything,” Shelbourn said.

SourceGas is also offering rebates for the installation of such things as high-efficiency furnaces, boilers, hot water heaters, programmable thermostats, and infrared heating. All items installed must meet a variety of qualifications set forth by SourceGas and its energy partners.

Income-qualified assistance is available through SourceGas, which is working with energy Outreach Colorado and the Governors Energy Office. Three different levels of assistance are available, from low-cost energy efficiency options to emergency weatherization.

Bigger energy users, such as apartment complexes, businesses and industry, can request customized energy plans and technical evaluation.

check out other energy savings ideas

For more information and guidelines on any of the programs, visit www.excessisout.com, or call (877) 974-7688.

SourceGas customers can also apply for other means of energy assistance, through state and federal programs, such as the Low Income Energy Assistance Program. Call 1-866-HEATHELP for more information.