Pump It Up: The Heat Pump Era Has Arrived
Modern air-source heat pumps deliver up to 3× more heat than the electricity they use, making them around 65% more efficient than many traditional systems. Window units, PTAC-to-PTHP replacements, and 120V-ready designs are now making cold-climate heating smarter, easier, and more accessible than ever.

Building on our previous discussion of grid reliability and capacity constraints, PJM Interconnection is now exploring a proposed “backstop” capacity auction to address reliability risks tied to rapid load growth. This post explains what the backstop auction is, how it would work alongside PJM’s existing capacity market, and why it matters for future grid reliability.

Recent winter storms have highlighted growing tensions between electrification, winter peak demand, and grid reliability. This analysis examines why extreme cold events continue to stress energy systems — and why those challenges may be more predictable than they first appear.

Energy benchmarking is becoming a business requirement in Colorado. Here’s what building owners need to know — and why it matters beyond compliance.

Electricity demand continued to rise in 2025, driven in part by data centers and electrification. But the bigger story is how that demand was met.

Utility-scale solar — supported by rapidly growing battery storage — supplied the majority of new U.S. electricity demand, continuing a multi-year trend that highlights why when energy is produced matters just as much as how much is used.

As AI adoption accelerates across the U.S. economy, its largely constant, power-intensive load is reshaping electricity demand forecasts and utility investment decisions. This article examines how uncertainty around AI-driven load growth could influence infrastructure spending, electricity prices, and the risk of overbuilding as utilities plan for 2026 and beyond.

Colorado Springs Utilities proposed a new demand charge for solar customers, sparking controversy and a narrow City Council vote. This post explains the technical and economic reasons behind the proposal—and what it signals for the future of net metering in Colorado.

Xcel Energy has proposed an 11.4% natural gas rate increase in Colorado for 2026—but is this part of a nationwide trend or something more concerning? We break down recent filings, historical rate growth, and how Colorado compares to the rest of the country.

Colorado electricity costs are poised to rise sharply in 2026 — with Xcel Energy seeking nearly a 10% rate increase for residential customers to cover infrastructure upgrades and rising delivery costs. These changes come amid broader statewide rate adjustments from multiple utilities, pushing Colorado power bills higher just as demand and system investments grow. Learn what’s driving these increases and proactive steps businesses and facilities can take now to manage escalating utility expenses.

Extreme cold, rising demand, and aging infrastructure are reshaping how natural gas systems are planned in Colorado’s mountains. Explore how Xcel Energy’s Mountain Energy Project combines infrastructure upgrades with energy efficiency and non-pipeline alternatives.

Colorado's new smart meters and time-of-use rates are changing how businesses pay for electricity. Learn what AMI (“smart”) meters mean for your bills and how to avoid costly meter errors.

Energy utility bills can feel like a maze of fees and acronyms. This primer breaks down the most common charges on Colorado electricity and natural gas bills — including what each line really means for your business or property.