Budgeting for REMP in Old Snowmass Renovations

Planning a renovation in Old Snowmass? The Renewable Energy Mitigation Program can change your budget more than new tile or cabinets. You want a smooth permit process and no surprise line items at the end. In this guide, you’ll learn when REMP applies, how fees and offsets are calculated, and practical ways to reduce costs while staying compliant in Pitkin County. Let’s dive in.

REMP basics in Old Snowmass

REMP is Pitkin County’s program that requires energy‑intensive features like snowmelt, pools, and spas to be offset with on‑site renewables or mitigated with a fee that supports local energy projects through CORE. You can read about CORE’s stewardship role on the county partners page for a quick overview of how funds are used for local grants and rebates. (Sustainability partners overview)

Recent county updates added an exterior energy budget that caps each residential parcel’s exterior energy use at 200 million BTU per year and adopted 2021 IECC‑based provisions for new builds and larger remodels. These changes affect how snowmelt, pools, spas, and other outdoor loads are counted and when a fee‑in‑lieu is allowed. (Exterior energy budget update)

Old Snowmass sits in unincorporated Pitkin County, so county REMP rules apply to your project. Many lots here can fit ground‑mounted solar, but the county calculator still governs what you must offset or pay.

When REMP applies to remodels

Several common renovation choices can trigger REMP review:

• New or expanded exterior energy uses. Snowmelt, heated driveways, outdoor heat mats, pools, spas, exterior heaters, and extensive heat tape are all reviewed against the parcel’s exterior energy budget. Exceeding the cap or adding new loads often requires mitigation. (County cap details)
• Additions or major envelope work. Large additions and remodels that alter the thermal envelope may require energy code compliance and REMP calculations. Confirm triggers with the county and have your architect run the official calculator early. (Pitkin County energy code overview)
• Home size thresholds. In recent years the county has revised thresholds and per‑square‑foot fees for oversized homes. If your remodel increases conditioned area, size‑based fees can apply. (Fee discussions and updates)
• Limited life/safety exceptions. Waivers exist for narrow life/safety needs, but convenience features such as most driveway snowmelt typically do not qualify. (Local reporting on waivers)

Pro tip: Ask the county at schematic design whether your scope requires a REMP calculation to avoid surprises at permit intake. (Permit planning context)

How fees and offsets work

You usually have two paths:

• Install on‑site renewables to offset the required load, or
• Pay a fee‑in‑lieu into the REMP fund.

The official Pitkin County calculator determines the required renewable sizing or fee for your exact project. Architects and energy modelers use it during plan review. (County calculator guidance)

Common benchmark inputs used in local guidance include:

• Snowmelt around $34 per square foot, often adjusted by boiler efficiency in the calculator. (Local fee context)
• Pools and spas commonly cited near $136 per square foot for pools and $176 per square foot for spas, subject to program specifics and efficiency. (Program summary examples)
• PV mitigation credit estimates sometimes reference roughly $6,241 per installed kW of solar toward mitigation. Always verify with the county tool. (PV credit example)

Local reporting notes that refunds may be available when you install more on‑site renewables than originally proposed if completed within the county’s post‑CO window. Confirm timing and documentation with staff. (Refund practices overview)

Build a reliable REMP budget

Use this quick process to get credible numbers before you file permits:

1. List every exterior energy feature and its size: square feet of snowmelt, pool and spa area, heat tape wattage, and any outdoor heaters. (Context on common drivers)
2. Note additions and envelope changes that could trigger energy code compliance. (County code overview)
3. Have your architect or energy modeler run the Pitkin County REMP calculator to compare the offset requirement to the fee‑in‑lieu. (Calculator guidance)
4. If you plan to offset with solar, get two to three quotes and a shading study. Mid‑2020s installed costs in Colorado often range around $2.8 to $3.2 per watt. Factor in the 30% federal tax credit if eligible. (Colorado solar price context)
5. Add a 10 to 20 percent contingency for site conditions and program changes.

Include these line items in your estimate:

• REMP fee or on‑site renewable cost
• Structural and electrical upgrades for PV or ground mounts
• Energy modeling and REMP calculations
• Permitting, interconnection, inspections
• Contingency and potential refund timing

Sample cost scenarios

These examples are for early planning. Always confirm with the county calculator for your project.

• Example A: 1,000 square feet of driveway snowmelt. Using a commonly cited $34 per square foot yields about $34,000 before efficiency adjustments. Many calculations divide by boiler efficiency, which can increase the fee if the system is less efficient. A PV offset using a reported ~$6,241 per kW credit would require roughly 5.4 kW. At $2.8 to $3.2 per watt, that PV system might cost about $15,000 to $17,500 before the federal tax credit. (Fee inputs, PV credit example, solar price context)
• Example B: 300 square feet residential spa. Using a commonly cited $176 per square foot produces an illustrative fee near $52,800, subject to current rules and efficiency. Some projects also see minimums or specific treatment for spas. (Program summary examples)

Strategies to lower REMP costs

• Right‑size exterior loads. Limit snowmelt to essential walkways and entries instead of full driveway coverage. Local reporting shows snowmelt is often the biggest driver of exterior energy. (Common drivers)
• Choose efficient equipment. Higher boiler or system efficiency can reduce the calculated fee when hydronic heat is used. Heat pump options for pools and spas and smart controls can cut energy use. (Efficiency and fee math)
• Improve the building first. Better envelope performance and electric‑ready upgrades help meet energy code and can preserve solar capacity to offset exterior loads. (County update context)
• Plan solar early. Old Snowmass parcels often have room for ground‑mounted arrays, which can be easier and sometimes more cost‑effective than crowded roofs. Confirm siting and shading during schematic design.
• Mix mitigation tools. A combination of modest PV, solar thermal, and high‑efficiency equipment often beats a single large system or a full fee payment. (PV credit example)
• Mind timing and refunds. If you plan on‑site renewables, aim to install before the final CO or within the county’s refund window if applicable. (Refund practices overview)

Permitting and timing in Pitkin County

• The county’s REMP calculator is the authority for fees and offsets. Use it for every decision point and keep inputs accurate, including boiler efficiency and system sizes. (Calculator guidance)
• The exterior energy budget cap is firm. Verify that your design fits under the 200 million BTU per year cap for exterior energy or adjust early. (Exterior energy budget update)
• Fees support local energy projects. Funds are administered primarily through CORE to help deliver community energy upgrades and rebates valley‑wide. (CORE and partners)
• Ask about refund timing. Local reporting has noted a limited post‑CO window for refunds when additional renewables are installed. Confirm current policy with staff before you lock budgets. (Refund practices overview)

Old Snowmass takeaways

• List exterior loads early, run the calculator, and compare PV vs fee before you finalize plans.
• Trim snowmelt and use efficient equipment to shrink mitigation requirements and long‑term costs.
• Coordinate timing so renewables are installed before CO when possible, and document everything for a smooth sign‑off.

Ready to plan a renovation that fits your lifestyle and the county’s rules? For local insight, introductions to trusted pros, and a tailored approach to your property goals, reach out to Jessica Hughes.

FAQs

What is REMP and how it affects Old Snowmass remodels

• REMP requires you to offset energy‑intensive exterior features with on‑site renewables or pay a fee, and Pitkin County’s official calculator sets your project’s numbers. (County overview)

Snowmelt or spa planning and the exterior energy budget

• Snowmelt, pools, spas, and heat tape count toward a 200 million BTU per year cap per parcel, so sizing and efficiency choices directly affect feasibility and cost. (Exterior energy budget update)

Paying the REMP fee vs. installing solar in Old Snowmass

• Many owners find modest PV systems can cost less than large fees, but roof or ground space and other code priorities determine what is practical for your site. (Solar price context)

Getting a refund after paying REMP fees

• Refunds may be possible if you install more on‑site renewables within the county’s time window and provide documentation, so confirm current rules before finalizing payments. (Refund practices overview)

Who sets official REMP numbers for Pitkin County projects

• The Pitkin County Building Department’s calculator and staff guidance are authoritative for fees and offsets, so always rely on those tools for budgeting. (Calculator guidance)