Join a Program

Residential Programs

The following programs help residents save energy. Our Power does not run these programs, we simply refer people to worthwhile existing opportunities. You can also sign up for or request more information about any of these opportunities on page 3 of the “Take Action Form”

Community Action Weatherization

Minneapolis Community Action previously provided energy assistance and free home weatherization but has recently been replaced. Following the State of Minnesota’s termination of its contracts with Community Action of Minneapolis, the City of Minneapolis is committed to ensuring that those who need the services that Community Action provided will still receive them. Effective immediately Community Action Partnership of Suburban Hennepin (CAPSH) will deliver the Energy Assistance Program (EAP) in Minneapolis.

Energy assistance applications that were previously submitted to Community Action of Minneapolis (CAM) will be delivered to CAPSH and processed in the order in which they were received. Clients do not need to submit new applications unless notified by CAPSH. Minneapolis residents who have received energy assistance applications should mail them to CAPSH rather than the address printed on their applications (see address below).

If you receive Energy Assistance, you may qualify for weatherization services. These services can improve your home’s energy efficiency and lower your energy bill. Furnace repair or replacement assistance is also available.  To have your home weatherized for free, the household (if a single unit) or at least 50% of residents (if multiple units) must qualify for the income guidelines – homeowners and renters (with landlord permission) are eligible.  To receive free home weatherization that will dramatically reduce your energy costs, contact Sustainable Resources Center at 612-870-4255.

You can also apply for energy assistance at www.capsh.org or by calling 952-930-3541. The Energy Assistance Program can help you pay energy costs– such as a heating bill– between Oct 1 and May 30 each year. If you qualify, you could receive a grant to cover some of your energy expenses. This grant is paid directly to your energy provider, to reduce your energy bill.

 

Mail new applications to:
Energy Assistance Program
8800 Highway 7, #403
St. Louis Park, MN 55426

Community Energy Services:

The Center for Energy and the Environment offers this program that is a combination of direct education and subsidized direct installation of energy-saving products ($40 co-pay). Home-owners who live in owner-occupied buildings of 4 units or less are eligible. The process has the following steps:

1. Attend a free educational workshop hosted regularly at locations across Minneapolis. You can find a list of upcoming workshops and register online at http://mncee.org/Community-Energy-Services-Minneapolis/Presentations/ or call 612-219-7334 to register by phone.
2. At the workshop you attend, you can schedule a home visit for the $40 co-pay. During this home visit, energy experts will assess needs in your home and directly install up to $400 worth of energy saving products, including programmable thermostats, light-bulbs, and weather-stripping. They will also identify other next steps you can take and conduct a basic energy audit.
3. For more information, contact Ashley Robertson, arobertson@mncee.org, 612-335-5869

Cooperative Energy Futures Home Energy Workshops:

Cooperative Energy Futures is a cooperative owned by local community members that provides training, education, and bulk-buying of basic energy efficiency products for residents (homeowners and renters) through home energy workshops. The workshops ($10 per households) are based in the home and focus on helping residents learn how to save energy and install basic energy saving features – this helps people sustain energy-savings in the long-term. CEF also offers low-cost energy efficiency materials (light-bulbs, air sealing, low-flow water fixtures – most items cost $1-$3) based on residents needs. Here’s how to go about it:

1. Schedule your home workshop sometime at a time that will be convenient for you (anytime 9AM-9PM Monday-Sunday except before 3PM on Thursdays).
2. Identify if you plan to invite a few other households you know (making it social), or if you are okay with A. CEF inviting a few other neighbors to join in at your house or B. host the workshop at another nearby house.
3. Attend the workshop and learn how to save energy at home. Pay the $10 workshop fee.
4. Buy low-costs products you need at the workshop or later.
5. Work together to implement energy-saving practices in your home.
6. Contact Colin McKiernan (612) 568-2334 with questions or to schedule a workshop.

Cooperative Energy Futures Neighborhood Insulation:

Cooperative Energy Futures also helps groups of neighbors lower the cost and improve the quality of large scale home energy improvements like insulation and air sealing by hiring contractors as a group. Homeowners and landlords are welcome to join in community projects (renters are encouraged to get landlords involved) with other households to get discounts on insulation and harness CEF’s expertise and combined purchasing power to find high quality contractors. Here’s how:

1. Contact Colin McKiernan (612) 568-2334 with questions and to get on a list for the program. Identify what services (insulation, air sealing, furnace replacement) you need. Ask Colin if any of following information is unavailable.
2. Call to get a home energy assessment (~$300 depending on your needs) to identify an exact work spec (much more detailed than a utility audit).
3. Get bids from various qualified contractors approved by CEF for the program (or just use the contractor selected if after the meeting).
4. (optional) Attend a community meeting with other participating residents to select a contractor.
5. Identify financing options if needed (CEF can help).
6. Join CEF ($25 or 10 hours volunteering) and sign onto the project (cost based on bid).
7. Work is completed – pay the contractor.
8. Party with your neighbors and get others involved.

Commercial Programs:

coming soon …