New Solar Thermal Rebates Available
If you’ve thought about purchasing a solar thermal system for your small business, now might be the time to act. Minnesota’s Office of Energy Security recently announced that it will provide up to $500,000 in rebates to small businesses and homeowners that purchase solar thermal systems. Businesses can apply for rebates of up to 25% the cost of installing a solar thermal system, with a $25,000 cap. (Homeowners are also eligible for a rebate of up to 25%, but with a cap of $2,000.) Rebates are available on a first-come, first-serve basis and will run out once the $500,000 is [...]
5 Ways to Dry Out Your Dehumidifier Costs
Anyone who uses them regularly knows that dehumidifiers are among the biggest electricity hogs. Using a dehumidifier to suck moisture out of the air can cost more than $100 a year on electricity bills. Yet, it’s often seen as an unavoidable cost. Too much humidity in a home or business risks mold and mildew problems that can damage property and be costly to clean up. Moreover, dehumidifying tends to make a room more comfortable. So what can you really do? There are actually many ways to minimize dehumidifying costs and still remove excess moisture. Here are a few: 1. Use fans [...]
U.S. Government Jump-Starts Solar Energy
As you’ve read in this blog many times, energy efficiency is a wise investment and should always be the first step toward a clean energy future. If you’ve done what you can to reduce the amount of energy used, it may be time to investigate renewables. As part of economic recovery efforts, President Obama over the weekend announced the Department of Energy will give $2 billion in funding to two U.S. solar energy companies. The plan is expected to create roughly 3,500 temporary and permanent jobs. But it’s also a generating some new momentum for renewable energy production in [...]
Where to Find Out About Financial Incentives for Energy Efficiency
One of the most common questions Energy Smart gets from businesses is where to find out about financial incentives available for energy upgrades. And it’s no surprise: Many businesses need help paying for upgrades in this tough economic climate. Here are some handy resources for Minnesota businesses to check out: Energy Smart’s Financial Incentives page. We offer a comprehensive look at incentives available to Minnesota businesses, from utility rebate programs to state grants. Minnesota businesses can also call Energy Smart directly at (651) 292-4652 to inquire about [...]
Xcel Energy Program Helps Thaw Summer Cooling Bills
Businesses and homeowners in Xcel Energy’s Minnesota territories have access to a program that can shave their electricity bills in the often-pricey summer cooling months. The program is called Saver's Switch. Here’s how it works: Xcel Energy installs a small switch on the customer’s central air-conditioning compressor unit. On very hot days –- when air-conditioning demand typically soars -- Xcel Energy remotely turns on and off the air-conditioner’s compressor system on 15- to 20- minute intervals. The fan stays on, so the air continues to circulate even while the [...]
Energy Grant Opportunity for St. Paul Non-Profits
St. Paul-based non-profit organizations can apply for grants of up to $5,000 to fund energy efficiency-related campaigns. But they must act soon. Applications for the grants are due by June 14. For-profit organizations are not eligible. Eligible organizations must intend to use the grant money to help St. Paul residents or businesses save energy by using and promoting energy-efficiency and conservation programs, such as the Center for Energy and Environment’s One Stop Efficiency Shop program. The grants are being made with federal stimulus funds received by the city to [...]
Survey: Lots of Businesses Investing in Energy Efficiency
New survey results suggest businesses are quickly coming around to energy efficiency. The main reason: Many expect energy prices are going to rise substantially in coming years. The survey was conducted of 2,882 firms worldwide by Johnson Controls, a supplier of energy efficient building systems. According to the survey, 56% have made some sort of energy upgrade in the past 12 months. The most common upgrades were “low-hanging fruit,” according to an article by Reuters: 73% surveyed had switched to more-efficient lighting, while one-third had made larger investments such as [...]
How Much Phantom Energy Do Your Electronics Use?
In our last post, we featured the electrical watts used by various office and home electronics when they’re in use. What’s less apparent is how much electricity is consumed by all these gadgets when they’re turned off. So-called phantom energy (or “vampire power”) is the electricity drawn from outlets when equipment is off but still plugged in. Many types of electronics and office equipment, including computers, stereos and printers, continue to draw electricity when they’re plugged in and off. And it’s not a negligible amount: Phantom energy can account for 15% or [...]
What Electronics Use the Most Energy?
Recently, we covered preliminary findings of an Energy Center of Wisconsin study examining the significant cost-and energy-savings benefits of enabling computer sleep mode settings. The final report was released this week and has some interesting and useful insights about how to minimize electricity consumption of common electronics and save money on energy bills. (Electronics and office equipment account for at least 15% of home electricity use, the study notes, and probably more in many businesses.) Among the most fascinating parts of the report is a chart comparing the average [...]
Pushing the Brakes on Parking Lot Energy Use
Many businesses ask us how to make their outdoor parking lot lights more efficient, and for good reason: Parking lot lights use a lot of electricity and stay on hours at a time every day, costing a lot of money. So what can you do to make them more energy efficient? Most businesses these days have high-pressure sodium or metal halide lamps in their lots. These types of lights are typically replaced with more-efficient alternative fluorescent lights, but using fluorescents outdoors unfortunately isn’t practical in colder climes like Minnesota. Very cold temps cause [...]
About Us
Energy Smart is a program run through Minnesota Waste Wise, a non-profit affiliate of the Minnesota Chamber of Commerce. We help businesses and organizations get the resources and information they need to make energy upgrades. Our assistance is available to any business in Minnesota at no cost. Contact us at info@mnenergysmart.com or at 651-292-4652.
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