For immediate release:
10:00 a.m. – Tuesday, October 6, 2020
San Isabel Electric can now help everyone make power more affordable. Recently, the electric cooperative announced Empower, an expansion of its energy-saving products and services program. The announcement also included news the co-op is now teaming up with locally-owned Steel City Solar to offer solar power generation systems along with several other energy-reducing products and services.
“Too many people struggle to pay their electric bill, cannot afford to make energy efficient upgrades, or can’t find someone to install a product. The Board of Directors feels everyone should have an opportunity to be more energy efficient and save money,” San Isabel Electric General Manager Reg Rudolph said.
Several of Empower’s products and services are on display at Bumperz, a new entertainment venue located in Pueblo West. A 33-kilowatt solar array sits on the south side of the roof. Inside, two bright orange high velocity low speed fans help maintain comfortable airflow and temperature. Behind the scenes, are three Marathon electric 95-percent efficient water heaters, and soon, the parking lot will feature a level 2 EV charging station.
“The energy efficiencies from the Empower program helped make it possible for us to open a business like this, during these times. This building is as efficient as it possible can be, not just because of Empower’s products but, because of the personal one-on-one local experience from the Empower team,” Bumperz co-owner Jeremy Carter said.
Everyone is encouraged to start with a free Empower energy audit to determine the best options for reducing energy consumption. Empower can help with small projects, such as adding insulation, sealing air leaks, or larger projects such as solar, window replacement, HVAC upgrades, and more. Basic energy-efficiency projects like these can cut energy costs immediately and provide the greatest savings.
Bundling pre-solar energy-efficiency upgrades with a solar array system can reduce power consumption and the size of the solar system, saving thousands of dollars in upfront costs and interest.
Empower offers low interest, no-money-down financing with terms as short as six months, as well as long-term options. SIEA members will receive on-bill financing and can pay the loan back at the same time they are paying their electric bill.
Rudolph said the expansion is part of the co-op’s mission, to provide electric power and other needed products and services that will improve the quality of life, of the membership.
“Our reputation of delivering safe, reliable, and affordable electricity is well-known and respected. The cooperative has been true to its mission. We do what we say we’re going to do,” Rudolph said.
San Isabel Electric’s Board of Directors feels Empower is essential to continue the path of providing value for not only SIEA members but the entire southern Colorado region.
“As a not-for-profit electric cooperative, it is not in our best interest, or in anyone else’s, to increase our revenues by raising rates, or to try to sell more electricity to the same people. We must help consumers use less, so they can build their businesses, hire more employees, and grow our communities. Without that growth, we all fail,” Rudolph said.
History has a way of repeating itself. San Isabel Electric was formed in 1938 by a group of local people who came together for the same reason, rural areas of southern Colorado were being underserved by investor-owned utilities that didn’t think the rural areas were profitable enough to serve. Yet, there was a need for electricity to improve the lives of those who lived in the un-electrified areas.
“Today, Empower will be providing energy-saving products and services to everyone, regardless of where they live,” Rudolph said.
To learn more about Empower, and how the program can help make power more affordable for you, go to siea.com/empower, call 800-279-7432 (SIEA) or email empower@wordpress-666784-2187745.cloudwaysapps.com.
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As a not-for-profit cooperative utility, San Isabel Electric provides affordable, reliable electricity with exceptional service to communities throughout southern Colorado. Serving nearly 20,000 member-owners and 24,000 meters, San Isabel Electric has been keeping the lights on since 1938. We don’t just serve communities. We are part of communities.
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