Library Corner: Lower your energy bills by improving energy efficiency in your home or business
Grand County Library District
Sustainable Grand, a dedicated nonprofit organization and proud member of Energy Smart Colorado, is making significant strides in promoting energy efficiency for Grand County residents and businesses. This translates to lower energy bills for many.
To extend their reach and impact, Sustainable Grand is offering a series of informative programs at various branches of the Grand County Library District. These programs aim to educate the community on energy-saving practices and provide practical tools to enhance home sustainability.
The topic for Fraser Valley Library’s Senior Lunch and Learn on Feb. 14 is solar power. Juniper Library in Grand Lake is offering a Senior Lunch and Learn Feb. 28 about testing your home or business for heat leaks and how to lower your energy bills. We anticipate more programs in March.
To support Sustainable Grand’s effort and supply Grand County residents with useful do-it-yourself tools, the library district has created home sustainability kits for checkout. Each kit includes a handheld thermal camera and a kilowatt monitor, both designed to help residents identify and address energy inefficiencies in their homes.
- The thermal camera allows users to detect areas in their homes where heat loss is occurring, helping them take steps to improve insulation and reduce energy waste. Detailed instructions provided by Sustainable Grand ensure that users can effectively use the camera. One patron discovered that her flooring was a huge culprit of inefficiency, as the thermal camera showed the floor was only 31 degrees. Brrrr!
- The kilowatt monitor can assess the efficiency of an appliance by plugging it into the monitor. The monitor displays energy consumption in kilowatt-hours, allowing users to calculate their electrical expenses on a daily, weekly, monthly or yearly basis. It also provides readings for volts, current, watts, frequency and power factor.
Residents are encouraged to attend programs and to check out a kit to explore ways to reduce their energy bills and make their homes more comfortable and environmentally friendly.
Sustainable Grand also offers financial support for those who qualify. The process is straightforward:
- Determine eligibility: Find out if you qualify for one of the free weatherization programs and apply for the free weatherization programs offered.
- Schedule a home energy audit: If approved, you will be contacted to schedule a free home energy audit to identify potential improvements.
- Implement upgrades: A qualified weatherization crew will be scheduled to install appropriate energy-efficient upgrades in your home.
- Quality assessment: A certified inspector will assess the completed work to ensure quality and effectiveness.
Sustainable Grand’s initiatives are a testament to their commitment to fostering sustainable living and energy efficiency in rural communities. The library’s mission of linking people to boundless opportunities equates to providing valuable resources for patrons. Together, the two organizations are empowering residents to take control of their energy consumption and contribute to a greener future.
For more information on Sustainable Grand’s programs and how to participate, visit SustainableGrand.org. Search the catalog at GCLD.org to place a hold on the Home Sustainability Kit and get ready to make your home warm and cozy.
Tallie Gray is the director of library resources at Grand County Library District. Contact her at tgray@gcld.org.

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