(click image to enlarge 42k .jpg) Consumers learn how to save energy and money at the Colorado Springs Utilities' Energy Demonstration Trailer.

Colorado utility makes savings real with energy demonstration trailer

"People want to save energy, but they want to be comfortable," explained Dave Miller, who directs Colorado Springs Utilities' E-star program.

CSU's Energy Demonstration Trailer shows customers how they can achieve both these goals, saving money and energy along the way. The trailer has been educating southern Colorado residents since 1997, when it debuted at the Colorado Springs Parade of Homes.

CSU currently receives between one and seven requests monthly for demonstrations at civic group meetings, military installations, lending institutions, and other events. It's an annual feature at the Pikes Peak or Bust Rodeo, Garden and Home Show, and Spring Spree.

Built on an 8-by-12-foot, 5-ton trailer, a 4,400-pound shed-type shell displays a wide array of energy features. For example, the trailer features three different types of windows: double-hung, slider, and casement. It also has a standard door and a patio door.

"We show leaky ductwork and tight ductwork, and explain the difference between them," Miller explained. "We use a ceiling fan to show how consumers can reclaim hot air from the ceiling. And we have a baseboard electric radiator."

Using appliances correctly

When conducting demonstrations, trailer staff emphasize the importance of using the right appliance in the right manner. "It's important to define what you want to use for auxiliary heat and apply the solution to the square footage involved, Miller said. "You don't want to use a small heater to heat a large area, for example."

Recessed lighting installed in the trailer shows the difference in efficiency between the current way and the old-fashioned way to insulate around the fixtures. It also demonstrates the benefits of compact fluorescent lighting. Consumers are impressed when they learn that converting to CFLs can cut their lighting expense to as little as one-fourth the cost of incandescent lighting.

The building envelope also comes under scrutiny. "We have samples of caulking and weatherstripping," Miller said. "We demonstrate the importance of insulation, too."

The trailer has a blower door to make energy leaks visible during demonstrations. "We can fit eight to 10 people in the trailer at a time. People can come in and see where energy leaks occur when the blower is operating," Miller said. "Most customers ask, 'How can I make my home better?' By going through and showing them how to caulk and how to insulate, we answer that question."

Electric meters

The education doesn't stop there, however. CSU uses the trailer to demonstrate how electric meters work. A meter hooked up to the outside of the trailer shows how demand is affected when different appliances and lighting systems operate. "We show what's inside a meter and what it takes to make it turn," Miller explained.

Energy isn't the only topic covered. The trailer also demonstrates water-saving measures, including low-flow showerheads and low-water-consumption landscaping techniques.

Besides the demonstrations, the trailer houses a television and VCR that play tapes about insulation, Energy Star appliances, the E-Star program, lighting, and other topics. A table set up outside the trailer offers publications on a variety of energy efficiency topics.

(click image to enlarge 32k .jpg) Dave Miller, director of Colorado Springs Utilities' E-star program, stands on the porch of CSU's Energy Demonstration Trailer. The trailer has been used to educate southern Colorado residents since 1997.

Home rating systems

Trailer staff also promote the benefits of home rating systems. E-Star of Colorado is CSU's partner in the demonstration trailer, and it's used to tell consumers why home ratings are important. "We offer information about the E-Star program to Realtors, lenders, and appraisers, also," Miller said.

One or two CSU staff members participate in each presentation. The program has been well-received, according to Miller. "Feedback has been excellent," he said. "It makes people realize what they can do with their houses, and how infiltration of air and wind increase heating consumption in winter and air conditioning in summer."

"People know energy rates have gone up," Miller added. "They mostly understand why. But if energy expenses are high and they still aren't comfortable, it's a thorn in people's side. The Energy Demonstration Trailer shows how consumers can get both reduced costs and increased comfort through energy-efficiency measures.