Whole-house approach to energy efficiency
If you wish to solve comfort problems or reduce your energy bills, Minnesota Energy Resources can help. An energy auditor will make an in-home visit and provide energy-efficiency suggestions to improve the comfort, durability, safety and affordability of your home. The energy auditor will:
- Analyze your home through a comprehensive "House as a System" energy-efficiency audit
- Answer your specific questions about energy use in your home
- Review your natural gas bill to understand how much energy your home uses. In some instances, as a result of electric utility partnerships, electric energy use is also evaluated
- Provide recommendations and cost saving analysis, prioritized to show you where you'll get the most savings for your investment
Request an audit online If you have any questions, please call 800-376-0517.
Levels of audits:
- Standard audit
The standard audit will:
- Analyze your energy use
- Give you information on energy-saving measures with potential costs and estimated savings
- Provide a blower door diagnostic test
- Perform a furnace efficiency and combustion safety test
- Provide a natural draft and worst-case depressurization test if the home has atmospherically-vented appliances
This service is valued at $300; however, you only pay $50. Minnesota Energy Resources and, in some cases, the electric utility partner, pay the remainder. This co-pay will be added to your natural gas bill. Low income customers may participate in this program at no cost.
- Performance audit
In addition to all of the services provided in the standard audit, the performance audit will also include:
- An infrared camera inspection to further pinpoint the location of heat loss and air leaks, and
- A report with infrared camera pictures will be emailed to you
A co-pay of $125 will be added to your natural gas bill.
Electric utility partnerships
Minnesota Energy Resources has partnered with electric utility providers in various parts of our service territory to provide joint natural gas and electric in-home energy audits. In areas served by these electric utilities, customers will receive a comprehensive gas and electric audit.
We also have a partnership with Rochester Public Utilities. Joint customers of Minnesota Energy Resources and Rochester Public Utilities can learn more about the Neighborhood Energy Challenge.
What specifically does each audit provide?
| Description |
Standard
$50 Co‑pay |
Performance
$125 Co‑pay |
| Discuss customer concerns and initial questions in an interview |
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| Review annual gas usage regarding heating, domestic hot water (DHW) and other uses of natural gas in your home |
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| Measure DHW temperature and adjust as necessary |
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| Check furnace filter and provide a reminder card with your filter size on it |
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| Assess heating system, water heater, and other gas appliance replacement and clean-n-tune options and needs |
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| Inspect the thermal envelope of your home, diagnose and provide recommendations for improvements to attics, sidewalls, windows/doors, etc. |
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| Deliver a written report including all appropriate documentation |
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| Provide fact sheets, rebate applications, financing options, 800#s and websites, tax credit information, etc. |
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| Perform a blower door diagnostics test to identify air leaks |
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| Perform a combustion safety (carbon monoxide) and furnace efficiency test |
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| Perform a natural draft and worst case depressurization test (measure how furnace operation is affected by exhaust fans, clothes dryer, etc.) in homes with atmospherically vented appliances |
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| Perform an infrared scan to identify areas of heat loss through walls and attics. This test is weather dependent and is only available in the winter months. |
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| Provide an infrared diagnostic report with pictures and recommendations emailed to you |
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Which audit is best for you?
For some homes, our standard audit is sufficient. For others, there can be significant benefit in having a performance audit completed. If you have already had a standard audit and are still having energy efficiency or comfort issues in your home, a performance audit could be what you need. Or, if you notice two or more of the following in or around your home, our performance audit may be for you.
- Ice dams on the roof
- Moisture or frost in the attic
- Mold or moisture spots on interior walls
- Condensation on your windows
- Stains around ceiling exhaust fan(s)
- Cold spots in areas of the house
- Inadequate or older insulation
