BRECKENRIDGE — Xcel Energy this week gave Breckenridge Ski Resort a $110,800 rebate check for its 70 new energy-efficient snow guns and improved controls, according to a joint press release.

The ski resort is expected to save more than 721,000 kilowatt hours of electricity this winter.

“That's enough to power about 100 homes in Colorado for a year,” according to the press release.

The snow guns are equipped with variable frequency drives — a technology installed on the 5 Chair and C Chair at Peak 8 in 1990.

“When we slow a lift down we use a variable speed drive,” said Jon Mauch, director of lifts at the resort. “Standard motors run at one speed.”

VFDs improve efficiency by using energy in proportion to what's needed. With snow guns, the proportion of water and air varies with temperature. The speed of the pump on the VFD snow guns changes as needed.

“They are more and more common,” Mauch said, adding that Vail Resorts was one of the first to use the technology.

The resort has also upgraded lighting and even on-mountain restroom equipment in recent years to conserve resources.

Nine waterless urinals and four Dyson Airblade hand dryers were installed at the Vista Haus as part of a men's room remodel before the 2008-09 season. Similar equipment is in use at Keystone.

An estimated 100,000 gallons of water were saved through the winter.

The rebate check the resort received Thursday was part of Xcel's programs offered to business and municipal customers as incentive to reduce energy consumption.

For more information on Xcel's energy efficiency programs visit www.xcelenergy.com.

Robert Allen can be contacted at (970) 668-4628 or rallen@summitdaily.com.