What are Heat Pumps and why do I keep hearing about them? |
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A heat pump is an efficient electric system that both heats and cools your building. Heat pumps work by moving heat instead of creating it — which means it uses less energy than a furnace. In the winter, they pull heat inside, even in cold weather! In the summer, they work similarly to an air conditioner, moving heat outside to cool things down indoors. When used correctly, heat pumps can deliver three to four times more energy than they use!
In Colorado, the most common heat pump you’ll see is an air source heat pump (ASHP), which moves heat between indoor and outdoor air. Ground source heat pumps (GSHP) use loops buried underground to exchange heat with the earth, and are more expensive to install, but work well in specific environments, including higher altitudes. Other heat pump systems you may see exchange heat with water, from either a cooling tower or a natural water source.
Larger buildings may benefit from dual-fuel systems which pair a heat pump with backup gas equipment for very cold days. Heat pumps can even be retrofitted to buildings without ductwork — "mini-splits" are a type of heat pump setup that can be installed to heat and cool individual rooms as needed.
Want to learn more? Visit the Commercial Heat Pumps page on our website or reach out to info@pacepartners.com to get started. |
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Heat pump rebates can help you electrify for less! |
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If you are ready to switch from gas to an electric HVAC system, PACE can help. We offer rebates to help you electrify for less.
Available rebates include, but are not limited to: - Cold-climate ASHP - $1,000/ton*
- GSHP - $2,000/ton*
- Heat Pump Rooftop Units - $1,000/ton*
*A business will typically need about 1 ton of capacity for every 500 sq. ft. of space, with some variation.
PACE also offers up to $5,000 in engineering design rebates to help cover planning costs, plus up to $5,000 for electrical infrastructure upgrades that may be needed to install a heat pump. Contractors may qualify for a 10% bonus based on the total rebate amount.
Equity Priority Buildings may qualify for additional support – often up to double the standard rebate. These are buildings that house businesses and organizations serving frontline community members. Your advisor can help determine if your building qualifies.
Finally, our advisors can also help connect you with additional funding options, from state tax credits to rebates from local utilities. We’re ready to help you navigate all your options and provide support along the way. Get in touch today! |
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Reminder: Boulder County Recycling Center tour at the end of March |
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Join fellow Boulder County business owners and employees for this popular tour of the Boulder County Recycling Center. Attendees will learn about the newest equipment upgrades and new materials accepted for recycling and will leave with a better understanding of why and how the recycling process works here in Boulder County.
There will also be an opportunity to ask questions about items that you toss away on a daily basis and debunk some recycling myths.
Tour Details
Tuesday, March 31 9:30 - 10:30 a.m. Boulder County Recycling Center 1901 63rd Street Boulder, CO 80301
Please complete this form to register for the event. The tour is free, but registration is required due to limited space inside the recycling center. |
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Apply for a circular economy grant from C3 |
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Colorado Circular Communities (C3) is now accepting applications for all of their Circular Economy grant tiers – from Mini-Grants up to $50,000 to Impact Grants up to $500,000! These grants provide funding opportunities for projects that promote a circular economy through waste aversion (not creating additional waste) and waste diversion (not sending waste to landfills).
Targeted areas for improvement include: • Sustainable design • Replacing single use items with reusables • Repairing broken items instead of buying new • Implementing recycling and/or composting services • And much more
For a full list of projects covered, grant types and guidelines, and information about the application process, visit the C3 Funding Opportunities webpage and contact C3 directly with any questions. |
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Get to know the Hazardous Materials Management Facility |
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Did you know Boulder County businesses have access to programs for safely disposing of materials that can’t go in the trash? These programs help protect our environment, our waterways, and the people who handle our waste and recycling.
The Hazardous Waste Disposal for Businesses program at the Hazardous Materials Management Facility (HMMF) accepts light bulbs, cleaners, pesticides, paint, auto fluids, batteries, and more. The Center for Hard-to-Recycle Materials at Eco-Cycle takes electronics, plastics, Styrofoam, and packaging materials. Contact them for special bulk rates, easy payment options, hard-to-recycle hauling services, and free recycling training. |
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Efficiency Works advising can help your business become more energy efficient |
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Ready to reduce your impact and improve energy efficiency? Our experts can help you identify simple upgrades, like lighting improvements and other easy upgrades, that can make an immediate impact.
Examples of what you can do: - Upgrade to high efficiency appliances and equipment
- Replace worn gaskets in refrigeration equipment
- Add timers and occupancy sensors to lighting
- Ensure HVAC equipment is regularly maintained and request enhanced maintenance from your HVAC contractor
- Replace incandescent and fluorescent lighting with LED fixtures
- Upgrade to a smart thermostat or update HVAC controls settings
Visit the Efficiency Works website to learn more and connect with advising services. Services are available to commercial electric customers of Estes Park Power and Communications, Fort Collins Utilities, Longmont Power & Communications, or City of Loveland Utilities. To learn more, contact the Efficiency Works Business team at business@efficiencyworks.org. |
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