At Elephant Energy, we believe everyone deserves the benefits of home electrification and energy efficiency—without barriers in the way. But even as clean energy gains momentum, too many communities face high upfront costs, limited financing, and uneven access to trusted contractors. That means too many families are missing out on the comfort, savings, and health advantages of clean, electric heating and cooling.
That’s why we’re excited to partner with Groundwork Denver—a nonprofit organization that’s been deeply rooted in community, environmental justice, and improving the physical environment across the Denver metro since 2002. They work side by side with residents in neighborhoods like Globeville, Elyria‑Swansea, Westwood, Montbello, Commerce City, and Sheridan to create real environmental improvements and leadership opportunities. Their mission: build a healthier, more equitable, and sustainable urban environment through hands-on projects like tree planting, urban greening, and water quality improvements.
As a first step in our partnership, we’re launching a small pilot to offer no-cost home electrification upgrades—including heat pumps and heat pump water heaters—to a limited number of households.
“Groundwork Denver is excited to expand its energy efficiency options for clients to gain access to renewable electrification. This is Groundwork Denver’s next step in supporting communities with energy efficiency, and we are excited to see how this pilot partnership with Elephant Energy grows in the years to come”
— Derek McCoy, Executive Director, Groundwork Denver
Why This Partnership Matters
Groundwork Denver has deep, long-standing relationships in the communities they work alongside. Through energy audits, they help identify households that stand to benefit most: families with failing furnaces or poor indoor air quality. Their role in outreach and education ensures homeowners hear about these upgrades from a familiar, trusted source—making it easier to take the leap.
From there, Elephant Energy brings the technical expertise: system design, installation, and helping each resident feel confident using their new equipment. Every installation is fully funded, covering not just heat pumps and installation but also any needed weatherization or energy efficiency improvements to make the system perform at its best. That means zero cost to the homeowner.
“Even in an early-stage effort, partnering with Groundwork Denver is key to reaching select households who haven’t had access to—or awareness of—technologies like heat pumps,” said Gurbani Singh, Partnerships and Environmental Justice Lead at Elephant. “Groundwork Denver opens the door, and we bring the solutions and contractor support to help make electrification possible for this first tranche of homes.”
Starting with Impact: Our Earth Day Project
We kicked off the partnership on Earth Day by replacing a 22-year-old gas furnace and swamp cooler in a Denver home—at no cost to the homeowner. With solar panels already in place and weatherization completed through Energy Resource Center’s Weatherization Assistance Program, this home became an electric powerhouse—efficient, comfortable, and nearly fossil-fuel-free.
This installation represents everything we’re working toward—a home that’s not just more comfortable, efficient, and safe, but free from fossil fuel dependence. It’s one home, but it’s part of a much bigger movement toward energy justice and community-centered climate solutions.
The Bigger Picture
We know that a one-size-fits-all approach doesn’t work when it comes to making homes healthier and more efficient. A successful energy transition needs to be people-centered. That means starting with what each household actually needs to be safe, comfortable, and healthy—whether that’s smaller energy efficiency work like weatherization or larger electric upgrades like heat pumps.
This pilot lets us test our approach, learn from each installation, and build a partnership that can grow to serve even more families over time. Each project teaches us how to make energy upgrades more accessible and impactful.
What’s Next
As we complete installations and gather insights, we’ll share updates that highlight the impact these improvements make for families and the community. This pilot is just the beginning. With continued success, we look forward to expanding this model to reach and support many more Denver families in the years ahead.