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Energy Efficiency & Electrification
Energy Efficiency
Free "Home Energy Squad Plus" Assessments
Start your journey toward lower energy bills and a more efficient home. Westminster residents can receive a free Home Energy Squad Plus visit (normally $150 value).
This visit includes installation of energy-saving equipment like LED bulbs, energy-efficient shower heads, a programmable thermostat, and faucet aerators and:
- Inspection of home exterior, insulation and mechanical systems
- Air leak analysis with a Blower-Door diagnostic test
- Combustion safety test
- Carbon monoxide check
- Infrared imaging and analysis
If you sign-up online, use the promo code WESTMINSTER2025 for a free Home Energy Squad Plus visit. Or call 303-446-7910 to schedule and your rebate will be applied upon completion of visit.
Only residents of Westminster qualify for this promotion and the assessment must be completed at a Westminster address.
Colorado Energy Savings Navigator
Find savings, cut costs, stay connected. This free tool helps you explore the energy assistance, rebates, incentives, and programs you may qualify for —all in one place. It’s easy to use, available online, and designed for families across Colorado.
- Get help paying your energy bills
- Save money and energy year-round
- Prepare your home for extreme heat and cold
- Find resources quickly and easily
- Learn about and discover energy-saving programs
- Available in multiple languages
Find energy savings here!
Brought to you by the Colorado Public Utilities Commission, the Colorado Energy Office, and the Office of Governor Jared Polis — connecting communities to affordable, reliable energy.
Weatherization Assistance Program
The State of Colorado Weatherization Assistance Program helps income-qualified Coloradans save money, increase comfort, and improve their homes and the environment with proven energy conservation solutions. Learn more here!
Electrification
What Can Be Electrified
Swap Your Gas Stove / Range for an Electric Stove / Range
Electric Stove Cooktops
- How it works: Electric cooktops, which provide conductive, centered heat for pots and pans are the most widely used gas alternative. An electrical current flows beneath the glass or ceramic top's surface, through a metal coil that glows hot and then transfers heat through the smooth top surface utilizing infrared energy.
- Benefits: Electric stoves are low cost and reliable while providing even heating and easy repairs.
Induction Electric Stove Cooktops
- How it works: Induction cooktops use an electromagnetic field to generate heat directly in the cookware, meaning that the cooktop surface itself is cooler than a conventional stovetop. Induction cuts out the intermediate step of heating a burner to transfer the heat to the pan.
- Benefits: Induction stoves offer precise temperature control, quicker heating time, even heating, improved safety, and energy efficiency, In addition, because the surface does not heat up (only the pans and food), it is very easy and safe to clean up any spills.
- Cookware Requirements: For cookware to perform on induction cooktops, it must contain iron (cast iron or some types of stainless steel) or have a layer of material with magnetic properties. To tell if a pot or pan is compatible with your induction stove, hold a magnet to the bottom. If the magnet clings to the underside, the cookware will work on an induction cooktop. If the magnet grabs the pan softly, you may not have good success with it. For more information, visit the LoveElectric website.
- Learn more about the benefits from this video
Swap your furnace for Heat Pumps
More efficient than furnaces or boilers, heat pumps serve double duty with heating and cooling, making this investment usable year-round. Combine this upgrade with other high impact energy-efficiency improvements to achieve significant energy and cost savings while transitioning from fossil fuels for a cleaner, healthier, and more comfortable home.
Learn how to prepare to install a heat pump in your home.
See the following section for more details on heat pumps.
Air Source Heat Pump (ASHP)
- Air-source heat pumps (ASHPs) are essentially reversible air conditioners. To cool your building, they transfer heat from the air inside to the outside. To warm your building, they transfer and "concentrate" heat from outside air to heat inside.
- Benefits: ASHPs deliver more than four times more heat than the electricity it consumes and thus is highly efficient. It functions as heating and cooling (ENERGYSTAR ®) and eliminates the risk of carbon monoxide poisoning, gas leaks, and gas explosions. These systems can work with existing duct systems or be ductless (see mini-split heat pump information below).
Cold Climate ASHP: Recommended for Westminster's Climate
- Cold-climate heat pumps achieve better energy performance at colder temperatures than standard heat pumps and are designed for higher efficiency over the entire range of winter temperatures. The commonly available cold-climate heat pumps provide 70 to 80% of the heat pump's maximum heating capacity at temperatures as low as 5˚F. High end models can continue to operate at higher efficiencies than electric resistance or gas heaters even at temperatures as low as -10 degrees Fahrenheit ( NEEA).
- Benefits: These systems reduce household energy consumption by up to 40% (high efficiency) and can minimize or eliminate the need for backup heating since it functions as heating and cooling. It also eliminates the risk of carbon monoxide poisoning, gas leaks, and gas explosions.
Mini-split Heat Pump (MSHP):
- MSHPS are typically a type of air source heat pump (see above).
- Benefits: MSHPs save energy by only heating areas that are in use while being high efficiency and functioning as heating and cooling. These systems are also easy to install and eliminate the risk of carbon monoxide poisoning, gas leaks, and gas explosions.
Cold-climate MSHP
- Cold-climate MSHPs include all the benefits of a MSHP, with functionality in temperatures as low as -13 degrees Fahrenheit
Duct-less Heat Pumps
- Ductless heat pumps, also known as "mini-splits," move refrigerant, rather than heated or cooled air, from the outdoor unit to one or more indoor units. The indoor units are typically wall-mounted and include a small fan. (See ductless heat pump diagram to right.) Ductless mini-split heat pumps tend to be more energy-efficient than ducted systems, in part due to eliminating ducts and requiring smaller fans (Source: https://loveelectric.org/heating-cooling/).
Ground Source (Geothermal) Heat Pump
- Ground source heat pumps work the same as an air source heat pump except it sources heat from the ground instead of from outside air. Ground heat is conveyed to the heat pump via long buried pipes or tubes of either circulated water or air. Geothermal works well in cold climates since deeper soils maintain higher temperatures compared to outside air during winter months.
- There is more availability of higher efficiency models compared to air source heat pumps ( NEEA),saving additional energy and associated costs. The EPA claims energy savings up to 44% compared to air source heat pumps and 72% compared to electric resistance with standard AC units ( Energy.gov website).
- Benefits: High efficiency models are more commonly available and these unites have excellent functionality in cold weather. These units function as heating and cooling while eliminating the risk of carbon monoxide poisoning, gas leaks, and gas explosions.
Absorption Heat Pumps
- Instead of using electricity, absorption heat pumps use heat, such as from solar or geothermal heated water to drive heating or cooling. This type of system is not as common as air source or geothermal heat pumps. Note that absorption heat pumps can source heat from natural gas-heated water, which is not considered electrified equipment
- Benefit: These systems work especially well for niche situations where excess heated water is available. They're high efficiency and function as heating and cooling while eliminating the risk of carbon monoxide poisoning, gas leaks, and gas explosions.
Combination Space / Water Heating Systems
- Combine space heating and water heating systems together through various system types. Typically, either an integrated system, or an indirect system where water is heated for domestic use and air is blown over the heated water to produce hot air for space heating.
- Benefits: Has a mix of the benefits of other heat pump system types listed above depending on the configuration
Swap Your Boiler / Water Heater
Option 1: Electric Heat Pump Water Heater
Benefits: These systems easily pay for themselves in annual energy cost savings and offer excess space cooling and high efficiency while eliminating the risk of carbon monoxide poisoning, gas leaks, and gas explosions.
How they work: Electric heat pump water heaters pull heat from the surrounding air and use it to heat water. These units expel cold air, which is desired during summer months. During winter, this cold air is still warmer than the outside air and should not be ducted out (Learn more at the LoveElectric website). Heat pump water heaters require installation in locations that remain in the 40º to 90ºF range year-round and provide at least 1,000 cubic feet of air space around the water heater ( Energy.gov website).
Comparisons:
- A heat pump water heater will reduce your energy costs for hot water by 65% compared to a conventional electric water heater, and by 75% compared to a propane water heater.
- Your energy costs for hot water will be about the same with a heat pump water heater compared to an efficient natural gas water heater.
Is a electric heat pump water heater right for you? Find out on the EnergyStar website.
Option 2: Tankless (Point-of-Use) Water Heater
- Tankless (point-of-use) water heaters utilize Electric Resistance heating rather than a heat pump and are therefore less efficient. These units work best only if space constraints don't allow for a heat pump water heater with a tank, or if total hot water need is extremely minimal.
- Benefits: These units take up almost no space, never run out of hot water, and eliminate risk of carbon monoxide poisoning, gas leaks, and gas explosions.
Swap Your Natural Gas Clothes Dryer for
Electric Resistance-based Clothes Dryer
- These units heat clothes via electric resistance heating, passing an electrical current through a resistive material (typically metal) that heats up to dry the clothes. This is the most common clothes dryer type.
- Benefits: Electric resistance-based dryers have a cheaper upfront cost, are easier to install and maintain, and offer a greater variety of models compared to gas ( USNews ). They also have vent less options if an outside connection is unavailable. These units eliminate the risk of carbon monoxide poisoning, gas leaks, and gas explosions.
Electric Heat Pump Clothes Dryer
- Electric heat pump dryers heat clothes via an air source heat pump. This type of unit is uncommon in the U.S. but is growing in popularity.
- Benefits: Benefits include being more energy efficient than electric-resistance or gas units and also eliminate the risk of carbon monoxide poisoning, gas leaks, and gas explosions.
Electrification Resources
Cooler Heat, Cleaner Air
The one-stop-shop for all Colorado residents looking for more comfortable and energy efficient heating and cooling, Power Ahead Colorado offers straightforward information about heating and cooling upgrades. On their webpage, you can find information on the benefits of heat pumps, connect with contractors for installation, explore financial incentives to ease upfront costs, and hear about green career opportunities.
For additional electrification resources, please see the below sections organized by building type.
Get Started and Identify Projects
Identify Energy Efficiency Projects: The NREL Tool highlights projects that will provide the best return on your investment
Home Retrofit Decision Tool: Use this tool to identify a simplified pathway for how to improve the energy efficiency of your home and get broad suggestions on the electric equipment that best fits your home's needs.
Heat Pump Calculator: This tool helps identify potential operational savings for installing a heat pump
Energy Star® New Homes: Provides financial incentives as well as consulting and verification services to builders for homes that exceed the energy code by at least 10% and provides additional incentives for electric only homes. Look for builders that have experience with using this program.
New Homes: The design and construction of your home will affect the health and comfort of your family, as well as your home's energy consumption and carbon footprint. The key aspects of a Healthy, Efficient, Electric, and Electric home are described by Love Electric and in the benefits below:
- Improved health and indoor air quality
- Reduced energy costs
- Excellent comfort and low noise
- Minimal carbon footprint
Access Rebates
Xcel Energy Equipment rebates: Rebates are available for energy-efficient electric and natural gas equipment. Related rebates include:
- Air source heat pump (ASHP): Receive up to $800 for upgrading your heating and cooling system to an ASHP, delivering up to three times more heat than the electricity it consumes.1
- Cold-climate ASHP: Receive up to $1,000 on a cold climate ASHP, reducing household energy consumption by up to 40%.2
- Mini-split heat pump (MSHP): Receive up to $500 on an MSHP, saving energy by only heating areas that are in use.
- Cold-climate MSHP: Receive up to $600 on a cold climate MSHP that has all the benefits of a MSHP, with functionality in temperatures as low as -13 degrees Fahrenheit
- Ground source heat pump: Also known as a geothermal heat pump, save up to $400 per heating ton, for a maximum of $2,000.
- Electric heat pump water heater: Receive up to $800 on electric heat pump water heaters, which pull heat from the surrounding air and use it to heat water.
- Air sealing and wall insulation: Receive up to $200 for air sealing, $350 for wall insulation, and $400 for attic insulation.
Please note, rebates periodically change. Please visit the Xcel Energy website to confirm availability and rebate value.
Learn More
Southwest Energy Efficiency Project's (SWEEP) webinar
Learn the key points to consider in electrifying both new and existing homes - for homeowners, new homebuyers, and HVAC contractors, as well as utilities, local governments, and new homebuilders. Also highlighted are the federal and state tax credits and utility rebates, which will more than cover the cost of replacing/upgrading your central AC to a heat pump system to deliver heating and cooling to your home. The webinar shows examples of homes making this type of upgrade, and of all-electric new homes with very low energy costs and excellent indoor air quality.
Energy Design Assistance (new or major retrofit):
- For buildings over 50,000 square feet in early design stages
- Consultation, computer modeling, and verification of energy efficiency measures
- Incentives for electric demand reduction, gas, and electricity consumption savings
Energy Efficient Buildings (new or major retrofit):
- For buildings 10,000 to 50,000 square feet in construction, prior to contractor bid award
- Consultation and project support to ensure project qualifies for rebates and maximizes energy efficiency
Need Help Complying with Colorado Building Codes?
Colorado Energy Codes and Standards Program: Xcel Energy provides no cost trainings and technical tools for builders, architects, code officials, plans examiners, and others to support education and compliance on existing building codes. This program includes support for Colorado municipalities that are looking to adopt new building codes.
Additional Resources
Electrification Rebates and Financial Incentives
New rebates and tax incentives make now excellent time for homeowners to consider adding a new heat pump or electric appliance. Heat pumps are very similar to central air conditioning (AC) systems, but they have a reversible valve that allows them to provide both heating and cooling. Because Colorado's electricity is becoming more and more renewable-based, heat pumps significantly reduce the home's carbon emissions from heating.
Available tax credits and rebates on a new heat pump installation should be more than enough to offset the incremental cost of a heat pump versus an AC or furnace system.
Federal Government
Tax Credits are up to 30% of the costs (up to $2,000) for heat pumps and similar equipment! See eligible equipment!
Xcel Energy
Xcel Energy residential rebate offerings for 2025, features savings on heat pumps, heat pump water heaters, insulation, air sealing, and more. This year, rebates on heat pumps are bigger than ever, thanks to a limited-time bonus: receive up to $2,250 per ton on an air source heat pump and up to $2,250 on a heat pump water heater.
Not sure where to start? Check out this handy Guide to Efficiency Rebates, this summary of all Colorado rebates, or reach out to Xcel with any additional questions.
State of Colorado
- Heat Pump Tax Credit: The new Colorado State tax credit and sales tax exemption for heat pumps and heat pump water heaters is in effect! The tax credit (10%) and sales tax exemption (2.9%) add up to an additional 12.9% discount on the price of the equipment, not including installation charges. For example, if the price of a new ducted heat pump is $8,000 (not including installation), then the tax credit and sales tax savings would amount to $1,032. (Note that the tax credit applies as long as the homeowner pays enough state taxes.)
- Home Electrification and Appliance Rebates (HEAR): For low- and moderate-income single family households, apartments, condos, manufactured/mobile homes and multifamily households < 50,000 square feet in size. This program provides savings of up to $14,000 on high-efficiency appliance and other upgrades when completed or installed by a registered contractor.
- Home Efficiency Rebates (HER): For low- and moderate-income large, multifamily buildings and manufactured/mobile homes, this program provides savings of up to $8,000 per unit to conduct whole-home energy improvements.
- Geothermal Heat Pump Tax Credits: Up to 30% on federal tax credits!
Find Qualified Contractors
- EnergySage Heatpump Marketplace: Get multiple offers from local pre-screened installers; custom quotes are standardized for easy comparison, and heat pump experts are available for support every step of the way.
- Find an Xcel Energy Registered Contractor
- Secure your Xcel Energy rebate using a verified contractor and also see the list of Heating Efficiency Participating Contractors
- Love Electric's List of Qualified Installers
The contractors on Xcel Energy's list have met certain criteria which allow them to offer rebates to Xcel Energy customers. Xcel Energy does not expressly or implicitly guarantee or warrant the work of the contractors listed. It is solely your decision to choose the appropriate contractor for any work you choose to have done relating to the rebate program. On the Love Electric list, BEL-CO does not expressly or implicitly endorse, recommend, or guarantee the work of the contractors listed. It is solely the responsibility of the customer to choose the appropriate contractor for any equipment installation work you choose to have done.
Sue electrified, you can too! Sue and her wife have spent decades electrifying elements of their home - from the heat pump to the induction stove - supplementing with solar energy along the way. Rising temperatures due to climate change were a major motivator for Sue as she worked to electrify her home. And while there is initial expense associated with electrification, the short and long-term benefits like lower heating and cooling costs and increased energy efficiency earn Sue's "1,000% endorsement."
Commitment to Sustainability
The City of Westminster and Xcel Energy are working together to facilitate an affordable, low-carbon future, community well-being, and a thriving economy through energy awareness, conservation, equity of access, alternative and renewable energy, and sustainable development. Learn more about our community Energy Action Plan (PDF).