SAINT
PAUL, MN—The colder-than-normal winter has made for a rough heating
season for all Minnesotans, especially those using propane. The
Minnesota Department of Commerce wants consumers to know there are
several options to help reduce their heating costs, such as financial
assistance to help low-income people pay their heating bills,
energy-saving programs to reduce heating costs, and secondary heating
systems to supplement existing systems.
“The
soaring propane prices this year no doubt have some people exploring
different options to heat their homes and businesses,” said Commerce
Commissioner Mike Rothman. “Sky-rocketing heating bills have raised the
profile for new energy options such as solar thermal, ground source
heat pumps, and high-efficiency wood energy systems. But first and
foremost, we encourage all consumers to conserve and be efficient before investing in a new heating system.”
Rothman
points out that if households consistently reduce their energy
consumption (use programmable thermostats, weather strip doors and
windows, seal air leaks, add insulation, maintain heating systems, and
more), they can lessen their energy demand (and bills). This will
reduce the size of the investment needed for a new energy system.
Commerce offers some basic tips to reduce heating bills.Additionally, for a list of resources, visit the Stay Warm Minnesota webpage.
Energy assistance reaches out to all Minnesotans—especially propane users
To respond to the propane crisis, the Minnesota
Legislature passed and Governor Dayton signed a bill on February 28
that increased EAP funding by $20 million. On January 27, Governor Mark
Dayton declared a Peacetime State of Emergency. A Propane Emergency
Hotline (800-657-3504 for greater Minnesota or 651-297-1304 in the Twin
Cities) has been established and has assisted thousands of Minnesotans
in need. The Administration took steps to make it easier for low-income
Minnesotans to get financial assistance through the Energy Assistance
Program (EAP) by increasing the eligibility criteria for EAP from 50% to
60% of state median income and also increasing crisis benefits from
$500 to $1,000 for Minnesotans heating with propane and heating oil.
Weatherization Assistance Program funding
The Minnesota Department of Commerce also administers the Weatherization Assistance Program,
a companion program of EAP. The program provides cost-effective energy
conservation measures (e.g., energy audits, air sealing, insulation,
repair or replacement of mechanical systems) to permanently reduce
energy costs for low-income households.
Minnesotans
who qualify for weatherization may also be eligible for the Renewable
Energy Equipment Grant Program that provides solar air furnaces,
low-emission outdoor wood/pellet boilers, and low-emission wood/pellet
stoves to supplement heating. Both homeowners and renters may apply for
weatherization.
Other
forms of assistance may be available through county social service
programs, community-based organizations and nonprofit agencies on the Stay Warm Minnesota webpage.
MiM solar thermal rebate applications re-opened March 17
Energy
companies are receiving more inquiries about how solar thermal systems
can help heat homes. The Commerce Department announced that the
application process re-opened on March 17 for its Made in Minnesota
Solar Thermal Rebate Program. The rebate program is part of the 10-year,
$150 million Made in Minnesota Solar Incentive Program to increase
solar electric and solar thermal installations in the state. The program
opened this year and runs through 2023.
Solar thermal systems use solar collectors to harness the sun’s radiant energy. The systems can be installed in residential and commercial facilities for space heating, water heating, and pool heating. A typical solar thermal air heat system won’t provide all the heat for a home or business, but it could cover approximately one-third of the space heating needs. For propane users, it could help offset heating costs significantly.
Solar thermal is an attractive option for Minnesotans today because of the Made in Minnesota rebate program and other incentives. For example, for a single family residential home, the program provides a rebate of 25 percent of the installed cost of a complete system up to $2,500. Add a 30 percent federal Residential Renewable Energy Tax Credit to the equation, and more than half the cost of the solar thermal system will likely be covered.
State rebates are available to customers of investor-owned utilities (Xcel Energy, Alliant Energy, Minnesota Power, and Otter Tail Power) who install solar thermal systems with collectors certified as Made in Minnesota; rebates are for single family residential and multiple family dwellings and commercial installations. Applications for the solar thermal rebate program were taken this year from January 1-February 28, and the application period has been extended on a first-come, first-served basis. More information on the Made in Minnesota Solar Incentive Program is available online.
A recently completed study titled “The Value of Solar Heating and Cooling in Minnesota” assesses the potential for solar thermal to help achieve the state’s energy and climate goals.
Financial Resources
Learn about incentives for energy efficiency, renewable energy projects – Minnesota residents, businesses, and public entities can go to the Database of State Incentives for Renewables & Efficiency (DSIRE),
a comprehensive source of information on financial incentives and
policies that support renewables and energy efficiency in the United
States. DSIRE includes up-to-date information on:
· Federal tax credits
· Federal grant and loan programs
· State loan programs
· State incentive programs
· State sales and property tax incentives
· Utility rebate, grant, and loan programs
The
database provides a long list of Minnesota utilities that offer rebate
programs to residential and commercial customers. Virtually every
utility in the state—large investor-owned utilities and municipals and
cooperatives—provides incentives on a range of energy-saving efforts,
including energy audits, air sealing and insulation, new high efficiency
heating and cooling systems, and efficient lighting.
