Making efficiency easy

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Want to lower your energy costs but not sure where to start? You’re not alone – and that’s exactly why Efficiency Works Business exists. We’re here to make energy upgrades simple, approachable and worthwhile for local businesses and property managers in Estes Park, Fort Collins, Longmont and Loveland.

Whether you’re looking to cut costs, improve comfort or just do better for the environment, our free advising and assessment services are designed to guide you every step of the way.

Your energy-saving journey, step by step

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Step 1: reaching out

Getting started is as easy as filling out a short form or giving us a call. From there, one of our friendly advisors will reach out to learn more about your business and schedule a time for advising or a site assessment that works for you.

It was a breeze working with Efficiency Works. They were extremely helpful in advising us on energy savings and helped maximize our incentives through the program.

— Ming Rummery, Executive Vice President, Tharp Custom Cabinetry

No pressure. No complicated paperwork. Just a simple first step toward smarter energy use.

Step 2: the advising appointment

Think of this as a conversation – not a sales pitch. Your advisor will:

• Learn about your goals and challenges.
• Identify opportunities to save energy and money.
• Walk you through available rebates and incentives.

You can think of your advisor as your energy-saving guide. And the best part? It’s completely free and tailored to your needs.

Step 3: the assessment

Next comes a free on-site assessment – like a check-up for your building. While it isn’t a necessary step, it helps you:

• Understand how your building is performing.
• Prioritize upgrades based on impact and budget.
• Plan your next steps with confidence.

It’s a deeper dive that gives you a clear picture of what’s possible.

Step 4: from plan to project

Once you’re ready to move forward, your advisor stays by your side. They’ll help:

• Connect you with trusted service providers.
• Review contractor bids.
• Confirm rebate eligibility.
• Assist with rebate applications.

You’re never left to figure it out alone.

Real results: Cortina Lofts case study

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Nestled in Fort Collins, CO, Cortina Lofts is a multifamily property with 23 units. In 2023, the property partnered with an Efficiency Works Energy Advisor to explore energy-saving opportunities that could reduce operating costs and improve overall building performance.

The advisor facilitated a free energy assessment and worked closely with the property team to:

• Prioritize upgrade opportunities.
• Connect with trusted local service providers.
• Navigate the rebate application process.

With support from the Efficiency Works Multifamily program, Cortina Lofts successfully completed two retrofit projects and received over $5,000 in rebates.

“Electricity is the second largest operating expense for Cortina Lofts, a condominium building, in Fort Collins, CO. At a Board meeting in 2023 it was decided to do a better job of controlling this expense by soliciting help from Efficiency Works and having them do an audit of our building. The audit identified old out of date fixtures and bulbs that if updated would provide savings, and areas where occupancy sensors would control electrical usage to times when needed. The report was very helpful in getting us focused on how we could make our energy use more efficient.”

— Bruce Staff, Condominium Association President, Cortina Lofts

The results

• 💰 $5,102 in rebates
• ⚡ 11,210 kWh saved annually
• 💡 $875 in annual energy savings

Read the full case study.

Common misconceptions – and the truth

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• “It’s too complicated.” → It’s not. Our advisors guide you every step of the way.
• “It’s expensive.” → Advising is free, and rebates and incentives help reduce costs.
• “It won’t make a big difference.” → Real businesses are seeing real savings – and improved comfort, too.

Why it matters – beyond the bills

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Energy upgrades aren’t just about saving money. They also bring:

• Improved comfort and safety for employees and customers.
• Reduced maintenance with newer systems.
• Enhanced property value and appeal.
• A smart, sustainable investment in your business’s future.

Your efficiency journey starts here

You don’t have to figure it out alone. Whether you’re just curious or ready to take action, we’re here to help.

Get started with a free advising session today 👉 https://efficiencyworks.org/for-your-business-advising-and-assessments/

The Community Efficiency Grant (CEG), initially introduced by Efficiency Works Business in 2021 for business organizations that serve the income qualified community who were disproportionately affected by COVID-19 and in need of financial relief, now serves a variety of community organizations who provide critical community services across Platte River Power Authority’s (Platte River) service region. It functions to support efforts in increasing energy efficiency and reducing utility expenses while offering retrofit rebate incentives.

The program serves a diverse coalition of community support organizations including Habitat for Humanity, Humane Society of Longmont, Estes Park Housing Authority, YMCAs and multiple Goodwill locations.

The CEG helps reduce the financial burden on nonprofits that want to make their facilities more energy efficient, allowing them to focus resources on serving their community and alleviating the pressure of making capital intensive building upgrades on their own. These upgrades can include new LED lighting, appliance rebates, insulation projects, and more, which can help reduce their overall operational costs and allows more of their funding to directly benefit community members.

A significant benefit of the CEG lies in its simplicity. A one-page digital application is all that is required of qualifying organizations to apply for funding in addition to the state rebate application. Local contractors act as program ambassadors, identifying eligible entities and opportunities for energy-saving upgrades. This program is Efficiency Works’ business programming equivalent to the Colorado’s Affordable Residential Energy program on the residential side.

The CEG represents a paradigm shift in Efficiency Works’ initiatives. By expanding beyond income-qualified services to critical community providers, this change enhances our communities’ ability to meet the needs of growing populations.

In 2024 alone, over $1 million in total funding was awarded to CEG grant recipients, representing a tenfold increase in non-profits and multifamily customers served. This promotes safer, more efficient spaces across the owner communities and reduces energy costs for organizations that need every dollar. Participants saved nearly 2,500 MWh per year, which is equivalent to the annual electricity consumption of over 300 homes in the Platte River service territory. The projects completed in 2024 were a tenfold increase in participation from these customer segments compared to pre-CEG participation levels.

To apply for the Community Efficiency Grant, click here.

Service providers

The Community Efficiency Grant (CEG) relies on service providers to assist customers and complete qualifying efficiency projects. Learn more about the CEG and become a listed service provider at efficiencyworks.org/service-providers/.

Commercial customers

Qualifying commercial customers looking for additional financial support to complete efficiency upgrades may benefit from applying for the Community Efficiency Grant (CEG). Evaluate if your building is eligible for the CEG and connect with listed service providers at https://efficiencyworks.org/business/rebates/ to start your efficiency journey.

2024 was full of major milestones in the world of commercial building efficiency. Efficiency Works’ Building Tune-Up (BTU) program, once a quiet presence in the industry, expanded its commercial buildings services to 52 buildings, representing a tenfold increase in participation. The program’s impact extends beyond these numbers.

For over a decade, the BTU program had been operating below the radar. The Efficiency Works team refined their approach in 2021 to better meet the needs of Platte River’s growing owner communities. The new program emerged through extensive utility program research, stakeholder engagement and consultation. It reduces financial barriers, offering tools and significant rebates that make energy efficiency options accessible to more businesses than ever before.

The relationships built through BTU efforts are laying the groundwork for a promising future, with the hope that the virtual power plant (VPP) will signal a building’s automation system to adjust energy consumption in response to grid needs, supporting our energy load use. Strategic relationships between the Efficiency Works team and key account managers continue to create valuable pathways for direct customer outreach and participation throughout our energy transition.

This revamp marked a shift from simple lighting upgrades to tackling the energy-hungry HVAC systems. By focusing on middle-of-life equipment, the program found a sweet spot – optimizing existing systems without requiring costly replacements. This practical approach not only saves energy but also lays the foundation for these optimized systems to potentially provide a reliable buffer during periods of low wind or solar power generation.

The BTU program offers two main options: Performance Plus and retrocommissioning. Performance Plus focuses on HVAC optimization, where contractors perform enhanced maintenance and upgrades on existing equipment in buildings of all sizes.

Meanwhile, the retrocommissioning path took a different approach, diving deep into the digital brains of buildings – their automation systems. Engineers can uncover and fix issues that quietly reduce efficiency over the years. According to Pierce Robbins from McKinstry, a contractor partner, “the new Efficiency Works program is the Cadillac of retrocommissioning programs.”

The results speak volumes: hospitals across three communities opened their doors to the program, a large church joined the energy-saving movement, and the entire eligible portfolio of Poudre School District buildings embraced the change.

The BTU program stands as a testament to what’s possible when innovation meets community needs, proving that the most powerful transformations start with innovative utility staff listening to customer needs.

Service providers

The BTU program relies on qualified service providers to complete enhanced maintenance and retrocommissioning studies that benefit our communities. We appreciate the efforts of our current participants and look forward to welcoming new contractors to serve our utility customers. To join the program and offer enhanced services to your customers, learn about how to become a listed Performance Plus or Retrocommissioning service provider at efficiencyworks.org/service-providers/.

Commercial customers

Commercial customers looking to enhance their building’s efficiency may benefit from the BTU program. Evaluate if your building is eligible for the BTU program and connect with listed service providers at efficiencyworks.org/business/building-tune-up/ to start you HVAC optimization journey.

Replacing your current equipment with efficient electric alternatives can enhance operations, lower energy costs, improve comfort and safety and reduce your carbon footprint. And by preparing your facility now, you can help ensure your business is ready to add new electric technologies in the future.

Thinking about an EV? Learn how to charge at home, find rebates, and access resources to make the switch easy. Businesses can explore public charging incentives and get expert guidance on fleet electrification with Efficiency Works’ EV Fleet Planner.

Explore cost effective solar energy for your home or business. Solar power helps manage electricity costs and reduce your carbon footprint. Install panels on rooftops, carports, or the ground, and pair them with storage for efficient energy use.

Explore energy storage solutions for your home or business. Battery energy storage systems provide backup power, improve reliability, and help manage energy use. Pair with solar or use alone to reduce costs and support a noncarbon future.