Meet Mary Wiener, CORE’s New Energy Manager

You could almost say that when Mary Wiener, CORE’s new energy manager, got turned onto energy efficiency, a lightbulb went on in her head. More than 15 years ago when she first started doing work in the energy saving field, someone told her about tubular LED lighting. “This person started explaining lighting and I went, wow, there’s a lot you can do in a building to help owners and homeowners become more energy efficient,” Wiener says. That (aha) lit the way for Mary to learn everything she could about LEDs, an extremely efficient lighting technology, then electrification and heat pump technology, which is a more efficient way to heat buildings than boilers, furnaces, or electric baseboard heaters.

“Working with people to help them reduce their utility bills, make their homes and buildings more comfortable while also making them safer and healthier is great work for me. I get to be out in the field helping people and it’s both mental and physical, which is a good combination,” she says.

Wiener started with CORE in January after working for more than a decade on some of the most significant energy efficiency and electrification projects in our region. She created a variety of rebate programs for Holy Cross energy that instigated significant energy savings. She also volunteered on the state’s Energy Code Board and helped create loveelectric.org, a resource to help Coloradans lower energy costs, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and provide improved health and comfort in their buildings by choosing heat pumps for space and water heating.

“Mary brings a wealth of expertise to CORE, and we are so lucky to have her on our team,” says Ryland French, CORE’s Senior Director of Climate Strategy. “Our organization is leading the way in the Roaring Fork Valley toward a future where manageable energy bills and a reliance on only renewable energy will be the norm. Mary’s dedication and knowledge to help the community realize energy savings is an essential part of achieving our vision. To add her passion, experience and network to the CORE team is a win for our community.”

Wiener’s core duties are to deliver energy assessments for community and private buildings, advise customers on incentive and money-saving programs, and facilitate the completion of significant energy saving and electrification projects that help reduce greenhouse gas emissions to bring cleaner air and less pollution to our region and world.

Mary’s biggest tip for reducing energy costs, avoiding heat loss, and making your living and working environment more comfortable is investing in double pleated blinds. “It’s amazing how many people either don’t have blinds on their windows or have blinds but don’t put them down at night. Heat always goes towards cold. So, if you don’t put blinds down at night, you’re losing a lot of heat. The Department of Energy has determined that almost up to 30% of your heat will be lost out your windows. So, it’s really, really important to make the investment in double pleated blinds and once you invest in them, many have a lifetime warranty, and you can start saving money right away. Plus, your house will be warmer.”

To get in touch with Mary at CORE email mary@aspencore.org or call 970-925-9775 ext 1004